Senior Data Scientist

AXA UK plc; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider in Manchester is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to enhance pricing models and strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate will support feature development from internal data and collaborate with engineering teams for scalable solutions. Proficiency in R and Python, along with strong numerical skills and a degree in a relevant field, are essential. This role includes competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual performance-based bonus

Contributory pension scheme

Life Assurance

Private medical cover

25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Extra leave options

Well-being services

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Strong statistical modelling, data manipulation, and financial analysis skills.
• Proficient in R and Python for advanced data analysis.
• Ability to maintain high levels of accuracy and reliability.
• Proven ability to plan and prioritise work.
• Detailed understanding of statistical techniques for insurance risk analysis.

Responsibilities

• Identify and develop innovative features from internal data.
• Support design and testing of features derived from internal data.
• Collaborate with data engineering teams for scalable production.
• Maintain understanding of internal data assets for quality and accessibility.
• Contribute to strategies for data cataloguing and documentation.

Skills

Statistical modelling

Data manipulation

Financial analysis

R programming

Python programming

Numerical skills

Education

Degree in a related discipline

Job description

Senior Data Scientist – AXA Retail

Within AXA Retail we're looking for a Senior Data Scientist. You'll support initiatives that leverage internal data assets and innovative techniques to develop features and insights that enhance pricing models and strategic decision‑making. You will be involved in exploring, experimenting with, and optimising internal data to generate high‑value features that improve model performance and business outcomes. AXA values flexibility; you will work at least two days a week (40%) away from home and may shift to three days a week (60%) in the future.

Responsibilities

• Assist in identifying and developing innovative features and insights from internal data sources to enhance business value.
• Support the design, testing, and refinement of features derived from internal data.
• Collaborate with data engineering teams to operationalise features within scalable production environments.
• Maintain a good understanding of internal data assets, ensuring quality, consistency, and accessibility.
• Contribute to strategies for data cataloguing, lineage, and documentation to support exploration and reuse.
• Work with IT and data platform teams to help develop scalable, robust data pipelines.
• Support advanced analytical techniques (spatial analysis, text mining, interaction features) to uncover hidden value.
• Partner with pricing, underwriting, claims, and fraud teams to understand data needs and communicate findings.

Eligibility

As a precondition of employment for this role, you must be eligible and authorised to work in the United Kingdom.

Qualifications

• Strong statistical modelling, data manipulation and financial analysis skills.
• Proficient in open‑source predictive analytics software such as R and Python for advanced data analysis.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, meet strict deadlines, and maintain high levels of accuracy and reliability.
• Proven ability to plan and prioritise own work.
• Excellent numerical and mathematical skills, with a degree in a related discipline or equivalent proficiency.
• Detailed understanding of appropriate statistical techniques for insurance risk analysis and demand pricing.
• Ability to grasp the significance and meaning of a range of technical and complex issues relating to underwriting, claims handling, pricing, reserving and financial analysis of insurance.

Equal Opportunity and Accessibility

• We acknowledge and appreciate the exceptional efforts of our people in protecting what matters most to our customers. In exchange we offer a series of core and supporting benefits designed to empower our people to thrive both professionally and personally.
• We believe in hiring people who possess the appropriate skills and values that align with our vision. Our selection process is fair and equitable, ensuring that all candidates have an equal opportunity to join us. We are dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we take pride in treating our employees and potential hires with respect and without discrimination based on any Protected Characteristics.
• AXA UK is recognised as a Disability Confident Leader. We actively encourage applications from people who face barriers in the workplace due to a disability or long‑term health condition. We participate in the Disability Confident 'Offer of Interview' scheme, offering a fair interview opportunity to candidates who meet essential criteria.
• You do not need to share details of your long‑term health condition or disability for your application to be considered under this scheme.

Benefits and Perks

• Competitive annual salary dependent on experience.
• Annual company & performance‑based bonus.
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12% employer contributions).
• Life Assurance (up to 10 × annual salary).
• Private medical cover.
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays.
• Opportunity to buy up to 5 extra days leave or sell up to 5 days leave.
• Well‑being services & resources.
• AXA employee discounts.