Senior Principal Data Scientist

JR United Kingdom; Basildon; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading organization as a Senior Principal Data Scientist and make a meaningful impact on UK healthcare. Leverage your expertise in Python or R to guide the data science function, develop advanced AI models, and work collaboratively in a dynamic team. This role not only requires strong technical leadership but also the ability to engage stakeholders across various levels to implement data-driven solutions effectively.

Qualifications

• Significant experience within data science.
• Experience leading data science teams.
• Strong programming skills in R and Python.

Responsibilities

• Ownership of UK’s data science function.
• Develop AI models to solve UK healthcare problems.
• Communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Data Science

Python

R

AI

Team Leadership

Stakeholder Communication

Predictive Modeling

Attention to Detail

Problem Solving

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

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Client:

OptumUK

Location:

basildon, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

5

Posted:

09.06.2025

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Job Description:

The Vacancy

Are you a Principal Data Scientist looking to join an organisation where what you do genuinely makes an impact? Where you are empowered, heard and able to think creatively? Then look no further because we are what you have been looking for!

We are looking for a Senior Principal Data Scientist with strong technical skills using either Python or R, experience leading teams and the ability to communicate with both technical and non-technical teams across the business.

This role sits within Optum UK Health Analytics team responsible for taking large data sets from various sources and converting them into meaningful insights on UK healthcare. You will play a key role in developing and implementing Optum UK’s data science capabilities in the UK. Integrated within the UK Product team, you will use artificial intelligence (AI) models to create new and augment existing products that solve important problems faced by the UK healthcare system.

We are a collaborative team, we work hard and are passionate about what we do, but we ensure we have fun along the way. If this sounds like something you want to be a part of then apply today!

What you’ll do

You will take ownership of the UK’s data science function, this will include providing strategic and technical direction, team building and communicating with senior stakeholders across the business.

Other key responsibilities and accountabilities will include;

• Provide strategic and technical direction for UK Product AI initiatives, communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and building consensus from various stakeholders.
• Develop, deploy and maintain advanced AI models to create new and augment existing products that solve important problems faced by the UK healthcare system.
• Work with autonomy and in collaboration with other team members, including data scientists, analysts, developers, and clinicians, to contribute to the strategic goals of the UK Product team.
• Manage multiple priorities and projects to meet tight deadlines within a heavily matrixed business environment.
• Horizon scan for internal and external advances in AI that can be applied to the UK business.

Who you’ll be

We need you to demonstrate significant experience within data science.

We want you to have experience in either Python or R together with experience leading data science teams. You will also have solid experience of creating and implementing both the strategic and technical direction of those teams.

Being passionate about tech and keeping up to date with market and industry trends is key, as we want you to share your knowledge and use that to show us where you have made improvements that have had business benefit.

Other skills we are looking for you to demonstrate include:

• Strong programming skills in R and Python.
• A well-rounded data science skill set including the ability to build/maintain predictive models and explain model processes/outputs.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders and build strong business relationships as a trusted partner.
• Ability to deal with multiple priorities.
• Astute attention to detail and the integrity to openly report errors in a timely fashion.
• A passion for solving problems and making a difference with data science.
• Experience of gathering requirements from, and documenting processes for, end users.
• Experience in building and/or fine-tuning transformer-based AI models.
• Experience of managing the demands and various stakeholders within a highly matrixed business environment.
• Ability to build/maintain predictive models and explain model processes/outputs.
• PHD level qualification or equivalent

Sound like the role you have been looking for? The apply today to find out more!

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Optum UK, we are committed to providing an inclusive, equitable culture where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work and to reach their full potential. This is a foundation stone of Optum UK, anchoring the employee cycle from recruitment through to ongoing personal development and genuine, continuous two-way employee engagement, supported by our company values which determine everything we do.

Optum UK is an equal opportunities employer, and we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by applicable law. We will always work to accommodate individual needs during your application journey. If you require any adjustments, please advise the talent team.