Timetable Data Scientist

Network Rail; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible/hybrid work

28 days annual leave

Discounts at stations

Defined benefit pension

Train ticket subsidy

Travel loan

Volunteer leave

Job summary

Network Rail in Milton Keynes is seeking an enthusiastic Data Scientist to help shape timetable decisions using historical train events and simulation data. You will work within the Data & Development Portfolio of the Performance & Simulation Team to build data products and analytical models that inform micro and macro timetable decisions.

You will translate requests from non-technical users into actionable insights, support simulation engine users, and collaborate with specialists to deliver

Qualifications

• Degree or postgrad in CS, Maths, Statistics or equivalent.
• Experience in descriptive and predictive modelling and visualisation.
• Experience in ML on the cloud with Numpy/Scikit-Learn/TensorFlow/Keras/PyTorch.
• Excellent Python and R programming skills.
• Experience delegating tasks and supervising others.
• Experience coaching technical skills to build high performing teams.
• Proven ability to engage with customers and stakeholders.
• Ability to present to senior audiences and create clear technical notes.

Responsibilities

• Provide data products, analytical models and Python-based data transformation tools for timetable decisions.
• Translate requests from non-technical users into actionable insights with technical experts.
• Support users of simulation engines and drive better industry outcomes.
• Engage with stakeholders and convey complex modelling results to drive decisions.

Skills

Python programming

R programming

Machine Learning

Cloud ML

Data visualization

Statistical analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Team mentoring

Communication skills

Education

Degree in CS/Math/Stats

Tools

Numpy

Scikit-Learn

TensorFlow

Keras

PyTorch

Job description

Join Network Rail ! Where People and Connections Matter

At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team- you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway.

We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here .We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.

Safe behaviouris a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should be able to demonstrate their awareness of our safety vision .

Some of our great benefits:

Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered.

Generous annual leave (28 days plus statutory days), with the option to buy/sell days.

Discounts at stations with your Network Rail pass.

Defined benefit pension scheme

75% subsidy on train tickets.

Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets.

Volunteer leave to make a positive impact.

About the role

What does the average day look like?

The Rail industry is changing as we move into Great British Railways and is understanding the power of data more than ever before. This is driving more investment and support for our requirements on the data foundations and structures. You will be pushing the data landscape forward to allow us to answer the questions that need answering.

The Data & Development Portfolio is a new and developing team within the Performance & Simulation Team (P&ST). Over the last 18 months we have been building our Data Environment using historic records of Train Events and results from Simulation Engines (mostly Physics Engine based Monte-Carlo tools).

As a Timetable Data Scientist, you will be informing timetable decisions on a micro and macro level. For example, to highlight unachievable run times and timetabling risks, as well as identifying key services impacting the overall performance of the network.

As part of the wider P&ST team you will of supporting the users of the Simulation Engines with provision of data products, analytical models and python-based data transformation tools. You will be translating requests from non-technical experts into actionable insights, working with technical experts from a number of areas and combining knowledge and skills from all parties to drive better industry outcomes. Your strong foundational skills will allow you to engage with these activities and your interpersonal skills will allow them to flow freely.

A little bit about the team...

The Performance & Simulation Team offers advice, guidance and analytical support to help guide regions, funders and specifiers through decisions and trade-off criteria that need to be made through the timetable development cycle using either data science, historical trending or simulation methods.

Next Steps

CV shortlisting will take place after the advert closes, with interviews planned from the week commencing 16 th November, subject to business needs. Early applications are encouraged, as we may close the advert early due to high application volumes.

We encourage you to review our Safety Vision , as safety is an important part of the culture at Network Rail

We are looking for an enthusiastic, inquisitive, and analytical individual to provide & support analysis to inform decision makers. We are looking for skilled, adaptable and collaborative individual to utilise a variety of real life and modelled data to provide analytical insights as well as data processing tools to support the use of real data in modelling the railway.

While this is a great opportunity for a successful candidate to gain knowledge of the UK Rail Industry, prior experience is not necessary to get the role.

• Degree and/or post graduate qualification in a relevant discipline, such as Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, or equivalent experience.
• Significant practical experience in descriptive / predictive modelling and visualisation methods and techniques.
• Strong skills and practical experience in Machine Learning on the Cloud (i.e. Azure, GCP or Amazon) using Numpy, Scikit Learn, Tensorflow, Keras, PyTorch or other data mining frameworks.
• Excellent programming skills using Python, R and other programming languages.
• Experience of delegating specific tasks and supervising others in the completion of these tasks.
• Experience in coaching and mentoring of technical skills to build high performing teams.
• Proven ability to engage with customers; to influence and build collaborative relationships with stakeholders.
• Proven ability to innovate and create solutions to complex modelling issues.
• Experience in delivering presentations and adjusting presentation style to differing audiences.
• Proven ability in creating technical notes which are clear and concise and understood by others.
• Ability to communicate technical and management aspects of work to a senior audience.
• Knowledge of project risk issues and application of these to day-to-day tasks.

Key Information

Number of Positions:

1

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours:

Full Time

Location:

The Quadrant:MK, Milton Keynes

Geographical Area:

South East England (Not inside M25)

Closing Date:

09-NOV-2026

Job Category:

Digital Data and Technology

Function:

System Operator

Organisation:

PL Performance and Simulation (552201) G3