Senior Data Scientist - Neural Net Forecasting

Tesco UK; Digswell; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Tesco Stores Limited is seeking a Senior Data Scientist to lead forecasting and probabilistic modelling for large-scale retail data. You will prototype solutions with minimal support and drive innovation while coordinating with stakeholders across engineering, product and business teams.

The role emphasizes model validation, clear communication of results to non-experts, and scalable deployment in cloud environments. A strong mathematical background and Python proficiency are essential.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a quantitative field (e.g., mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering).
• Strong background in statistics, forecasting, and time-series analysis.
• Proficiency in Python and data science tooling; experience with PySpark and big data stacks.

Responsibilities

• Designing and improving forecasting and statistical modelling solutions for large-scale retail and business time series.
• Blending data from multiple sources to explain historic behaviour and generate forward-looking predictions.
• Building robust training, validation and backtesting pipelines with time-aware evaluation and leakage controls.
• Applying best practices for productionisation, including monitoring, retraining strategies, and cost considerations.
• Collaborating with engineering, product and business partners to deliver reliable, scalable models with measurable business value.

Skills

Statistics

Forecasting

Time series

Python

Big data

Cloud

Spark

Hadoop

CI/CD

Model deployment

Education

Master's or PhD in quantitative field

Tools

PySpark

Spark

Hadoop

Cloud platforms

Git

Job description

This is a hands-on position where you will need to leverage your analytical mindset to find solutions to complex problems. As a Senior Data Scientist, you will need to understand difficult business problems and prototype solutions with minimal support.

A core component of the role is applying, modifying, and designing algorithms and mathematical models to solve business problems using big data architectures (Hadoop, Spark, Cloud). In this role, your primary focus will be forecasting and related statistical or probabilistic modelling, with a strong emphasis on rigorous evaluation against robust baselines, careful validation, and scalable deployment.

Our Data Scientists must be able to validate, document and present the modelling process and performance, as well as communicate complex solutions in a clear, understandable way to non-experts.

Data Scientists are also responsible for promoting data science across Tesco and representing Tesco across the external Data Science community.

Finally, as a Senior Data Scientist, you will be expected to drive innovation and take ownership of aspects of project development, support the Lead Data Scientist and Product Manager in managing relationships with business stakeholders, and mentor and supervise junior team members and interns.

• Designing and improving forecasting and statistical modelling solutions for large-scale retail and business time series.
• Blending data from multiple sources to explain historic behaviour and generate forward-looking predictions and scenarios.
• Building robust training, validation and backtesting pipelines, including time-aware evaluation, leakage controls and stability checks.
• Applying best practices for productionisation, including monitoring, retraining strategies, and performance and cost considerations.
• Collaborating closely with engineering, product and business partners to ensure models are reliable, scalable and deliver measurable business value.

We are looking for ambitious individuals with a mix of statistics, programming skills and familiarity with time series analysis or broader forecasting and probabilistic/statistical modelling. A proven track record of designing and modifying advanced algorithms and applying them to large data sets is essential. Some project and stakeholder management experience is preferred.

An ideal candidate will have a scientific mindset with the ability to ask the right questions, as well as answer them. A strong numerical higher degree in a mathematical, scientific, engineering, economics or computer science discipline is preferable, as well as a solid understanding of mathematics and statistical principles.

Meaningful academic or industrial work involving forecasting or probabilistic/statistical modelling is required. This includes experience blending data from different sources to explain historic behaviour and produce forward-looking predictions and scenarios.

We particularly value experience in modelling risk or volatility, econometrics, or other types of modelling that support strategic, multi-year decision making. Experience in areas such as scenario modelling, uncertainty quantification, causal analysis, or long-range planning is a plus.

Finally, strong programming skills are essential (Python is preferred) as well as familiarity with software engineering best practices (such as version control, unit testing and CI/CD) and big data and cloud technologies (PySpark preferred). Experience developing and deploying models in cloud environments is a strong advantage.

You might know us as a supermarket, technology company or even for our award-winning mobile network. Truth is, we’re all of those things, and much more. Our colleagues work with one goal in mind, helping to make every day a little better for our customers, colleagues and communities all over the world. No two customers are the same, neither are our colleagues.

At Tesco, we champion a balance that lets you thrive both in and out of work. Spend 60% of your week collaborating with colleagues at our office locations or local sites and the rest remotely. Whether you're just kicking off your career, juggling passions, or navigating big life events, we're here to support you. We always welcome a conversation about flexible working, so talk to us throughout your application about how we can support.

We’re proud to be an accredited Disability Confident Leader, where everyone’s welcome. That’s why we commit to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you need support with your application, click here for more information. And if you're interested in joining our team but don't tick every box, don't let that hold you back from applying.

When you join us in this role, you'll be employed by Tesco Stores Limited, the Tesco legal entity responsible for your employment.