Data Scientist

Data Scientist, London, Permanent

Join Pay.UK as a Data Scientist and contribute to the enhancement of our data science, machine learning, AI, and predictive analytics platforms. You'll build predictive models, provide quantitative analysis, and uncover trends using advanced techniques. Your role will involve managing strategic insights, understanding the payments landscape, and ensuring transparency in the supplier market. You'll also apply data strategies, including GDPR compliance, and analyse market scenarios to support business decisions. This is a unique opportunity to innovate and mitigate fraud in the payments industry.

Key Accountabilities:

• Work with Big Data technologies to shape the development of analytical insight delivery
• Use statistical data approaches to uncover patterns in data from which predictive models can be developed
• Identify valuable data sources and automate collection processes.

Apply statistical techniques on large datasets to:

• Measure results and identify key underlying trends
• Build hypothesis and test significance
• Identify predictive indicators and causal impact and attribution
• Build predictive models to identify the likelihood of fraud
• Analyse geo-demographic and socio-economic profiling data along with transactional and behavioural data to produce critical insights and business deliverables
• Carefully review market movements and industry research for insight on market dynamics, evolution of infrastructure and changes in payments sector
• Present findings to key stakeholders, and input to conversations on strategies to enhance performance across the business
• Collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders to build data and analytical products that enable others to work with reporting effectively and making informed decisions that solve real business problems
• Maintain best-practice standards relating to data science techniques, coding and analytics
• Apply data science methods including regression (linear, logistic, multiple, multivariate), decision trees, segmentation and experimentation to optimise opportunities and business decisions.
• Manage all aspects of data science project lifecycle and deliver within planned timelines
• Maintain industry recognised best practice including ML algorithm selection, propensity modelling, documentation, quality assurance, data governance and data privacy policies.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• Degree in a STEM subject or equivalent experience
• Professional experience in data science and statistical methods with real data problems.
• Advanced knowledge in Python or R coding
• Significant exposure to data science and business intelligence tools (e.g., Anaconda, Jupyter NB, Databricks, R Studio)
• Proficiency with visualisation tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau)
• Extensive knowledge of SQL and database management (e.g., SSMS, SSAS, SSRS, SSIS).
• Understanding of the Financial Services/Retail Payments market
• Experience in building predictive models and advanced statistical forecasting
• Familiarity with cloud environments
• Good understanding of econometrics and the impact of macroeconomic events on the payments sector
• Knowledge of building Gen AI and AI agent applications
• Effective stakeholder management skills
• Ability to find innovative solutions to business problems and demonstrate intellectual curiosity
• Proficient in delivering presentations that simplify complex topics for senior leadership.

At Pay.UK, we value diversity and inclusivity. Research has shown that candidates from underrepresented groups may hesitate to apply unless they meet all the requirements listed. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of how closely their skills and experience match the requirements. We are committed to supporting accessibility needs and creating a welcoming environment for all employees. Become part of our team and contribute to the creation of an inclusive work environment that values everyone's unique input.

Who we are

Pay.UK maintains and develops the UK retail payment systems and standards that are core to the economy being able to function on a day-to-day basis.

From Bacs to Faster Payments and cheques – we act as the single operator for all UK retail payments. We put the needs of consumers and businesses at the heart of everything we do, working in the public interest to ensure that the systems the country relies on for its banking transactions are safe, open, innovative and resilient.

Our payment systems underpin the services that enable funds to be transferred between people and institutions. In 2024, the UK's retail payment systems processed 11 billion transactions worth over £10 trillion through Bacs Direct Credit, Direct Debit, Faster Payments, and cheques, and our Current Account Switch Service has facilitated over 9 million switches since it’s launch in 2013.

Every day, individuals and businesses use the services we provide to get their salaries, pay their bills and make online and mobile banking payments. Our vision for the future is to enable a vibrant economy, with Pay.UK delivering the best-in-class payment infrastructure and standards for the benefit of consumers and businesses nationwide.

Benefits & Additional Information

• 12% Non-contributory pension
• Discretionary annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays)
• Private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, health cash plan, dental insurance, Bupa medicals etc
• Employee assistance programme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Annual fitness subsidy of up to £500 per annum
• Working from home policy - minimum 40% in the office (eg. 2 days in the office over a 5 day working week).