Research Data Scientist

JBA; Skipton; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative consultancy is seeking a passionate Data Scientist in Skipton to join their multidisciplinary team. The role involves developing datasets and methodologies for extreme weather events, focusing on natural hazards and climate. Candidates should have a postgraduate degree in a quantitative science, along with strong skills in Python or R. A commitment to teamwork and independent problem-solving is essential. The company promotes hybrid working and ongoing professional development in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Ongoing training opportunities

Participation in relevant conferences

Collaboration with leading experts

Qualifications

• Postgraduate degree (Master's, PhD) in a scientific discipline with a quantitative component.
• Comfortable coding for data analysis and modelling purposes.
• Experience with large datasets required.

Responsibilities

• Develop extreme event datasets and methodologies.
• Investigate and integrate new data sources.
• Automate quality assurance and validation.

Skills

Numerical analysis

Data analysis proficiency

Python

R

Strong communication skills

Teamwork

Independent thinking

Interest in environmental problems

Education

Postgraduate degree in quantitative science

Tools

Statistical modelling software

Machine learning frameworks

Job description

Overview

The full-time role will be in our modern, eco-friendly offices at Broughton Park, near Skipton, North Yorkshire, BD23 3FD. Our team has adopted a hybrid working approach with some requirement to work both from home and in the office. We supply basic equipment to support this. You will need to be in the Skipton office a minimum of 3 days a week.

Are you passionate about natural hazard risk and data science, with postgraduate research or relevant industry experience? Motivated to implement innovative approaches to modelling extreme weather and climate events? Our multidisciplinary team is looking for a research-minded individual who enjoys problem-solving and collaboration. If you fit this profile, please apply.

We are looking for a skilled individual with proven interest in natural hazards and modelling to become a Data Scientist in our product development team. If you enjoy research and are passionate about solving problems, you could be a great fit. You have a research-led degree in a quantitative science or equivalent industry experience. You should be comfortable coding for data analysis and modelling purposes. Strong communication skills, enthusiasm for teamwork, and a high degree of self-motivation are important qualities to succeed in this role. A postgraduate degree (Master's, PhD, or equivalent) in a scientific discipline with a strong quantitative component, or equivalent professional experience.

Essential attributes

• Highly numerate with strong analytical capability
• Proficiency in Python or R
• Strong background in data analysis and modelling and experience handling large datasets
• Demonstrated independent thinking and initiative in addressing data-driven problems
• Ability to plan, prioritise and deliver high-quality work independently and as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
• Motivation to become a technical leader within the organisation
• Interest in real-world environmental and natural hazard problems
• Proficiency in English

Desirable attributes

• Experience in catastrophe modelling or weather modelling
• Knowledge of natural hazard risks, particularly flooding and climate change
• Experience with statistical modelling and/or machine learning
• Experience working with geospatial or environmental datasets
• Understanding of the re/insurance industry and/or disaster risk reduction sector

You will be joining an award-winning environmental and engineering consultancy which puts innovation, sustainability and resilience at the heart of its work.

We are independent and staff-owned under a stewardship model which drives long term decision making and investment. We have offices in the UK, Ireland, Romania, India, Singapore and Australia. Our people are all important and we invest heavily in life-long learning and skills development. JBA supports hybrid working which provides for greater flexibility with the way that we work. We are proud to be a B Corp and recognised for our commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement for a more inclusive and sustainable future, by meeting high standards in many areas

Your role: JBA Risk Management's Global Flood Event Set is an industry-leading dataset of simulated flood events, used by insurers, reinsurers, disaster risk reduction professionals and international development projects to assess natural hazard risk. We are now upgrading this data with innovative modelling methodologies and expanding coverage to other weather- and climate-related hazards. You will play a key part in this effort, developing advanced datasets, models, and tools to quantify impacts of extreme weather events, including flooding. Sitting at the intersection of data science, environmental science, and catastrophe modelling, this role allows you to shape JBA's future natural hazard capabilities. Collaborating in a team of experts in natural sciences, statistics, and software engineering, your key responsibilities include:

• Develop extreme event datasets and methodologies
• Investigate and integrate new data sources and methodologies
• Design reproducible workflows
• Automate quality assurance and validation of data
• Become a go-to expert for JBA products and datasets
• Present approaches and outcomes to stakeholders, collaborators, and clients
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to colleagues

You will benefit from ongoing training, opportunities to participate in relevant conferences, and collaboration with leading experts to support your professional growth and career advancement within our dynamic organisation.