Senior Data Scientist - 6022

Cambridge University Press; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 43,000 - 59,000; Full time

Job summary

Cambridge University Press seeks a Senior Data Scientist to advance their evaluation systems through innovative data science solutions. The role involves complex data analysis, project delivery, and collaboration across teams to improve educational assessments. Ideal candidates should have a quantitative background and expertise in machine learning technologies.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance

Discretionary annual bonus

Group personal pension scheme

Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary

Green travel schemes

Qualifications

• Experienced in managing and analysing large and complex data.
• Proficient in building data pipelines and developing data science solutions.
• Familiar with machine learning applications in educational assessment.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement data science projects to inform assessment processes.
• Lead investigations into test security breaches.
• Provide consultancy and training to stakeholders.

Skills

Data analysis

Machine learning

Natural Language Processing

Statistical methodologies

Education

Degree with a strong quantitative element

Tools

R

Python

SAS

Job description

Job Title: Senior Data Scientist

Salary: £43,800 - £58,500 per annum

Location: Cambridge, Hybrid with a minimum of 2 days per week working from the office

Contract: Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week)

Are you keen to use your knowledge of data science techniques to inform decision-making aimed at ensuring accurate, valid and reliable assessments?

We are looking for a Senior Data Scientist expert in the development of innovative data science solutions ultimately aimed at improving processes and systems in the educational assessment field. The role will entail, for example, developing malpractice detection methods, or to provide insights on test content.

By leveraging extensive data manipulation, the use of Natural Language Processing, and the application of statistical and psychometric methodologies this role provides the opportunity to significantly contribute to cutting-edge quantitative research and development in the area of language testing.

We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world-leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge.

About the role

As our next Senior Data Scientist, you will help us leverage innovation and the latest technological advancement to develop our systems and processes. As part of this role, you will significantly contribute to the design and delivery of projects aimed at the continuous transformation of our business, as well as provide data science solutions and psychometric support for a variety of English language tests.

The key responsibilities will include:

• Design and implement end-to-end data science projects involving extensive data manipulation and machine learning aimed at informing the development of core assessment processes
• Identify and develop innovative solutions to improve our current processes and systems, providing evidence about their effectiveness
• Lead data-driven investigations into potential test security breaches and malpractice incidents
• Conduct research to exploit data in our systems and aimed at retrieving insights on test content and its use
• Provide data analysis and interpretation to support projects and new business initiatives
• Work independently and as part of a team, building relationships and collaborating across the business, providing technical expertise, consultancy and training to staff as appropriate

About you

With a degree with a strong quantitative element and analytic focus (or equivalent work experience), you will be adept at managing and analysing large and complex data using computational statistical software (e.g. R, Python, SAS).

As our next Senior Data Scientist, you will have demonstrable success in building data pipelines and in developing and operationalising user-friendly data science solutions, such as automated reports and data visualisations. You will have experience with the analysis of text data and with machine learning applications, possibly in the field of educational assessment and/or language testing. Knowledge of psychometrics is desirable.

In addition, you will be able to work under pressure, with strong prioritisation and time management skills. You will have the ability to communicate complex concepts in a simple, accessible, and impactful manner, including writing reports for a range of stakeholders. More broadly, you will be able to provide credible and effective recommendations to colleagues across the business.

If you would like to know more about this opportunity and what will make you successful, please see the full job description attached to the bottom of this vacancy on our careers site.

Rewards and benefits

We will support you to be at your best in work and to live well outside of it. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a world-class, flexible rewards package, featuring family-friendly and planet-friendly benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Group personal pension scheme
• Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
• Green travel schemes

We are a hybrid working organisation, and we offer a range of flexible working options from day one. We expect most hybrid-working colleagues to spend 40-60% of their time at their dedicated office or location. We will also consider other work arrangements if you wish to work more flexibly or require adjustments due to a disability.

Ready to pursue your potential? Apply now.

We review applications on an ongoing basis, with a closing date for all applications being Sunday 22nd June 2025 and interviews are scheduled to take place on the week commencing Monday 7th July 2025.

Please note that successful applicants will be subject to satisfactory background checks including DBS due to working in a regulated industry.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is an approved UK employer for the sponsorship of eligible roles and applicants under the Skilled Worker visa route. Please refer to the gov.uk website for guidance to understand your own eligibility based on the role you are applying for

Why join us

Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You'll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe – for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background.

We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.

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