Associate data scientist

Band 5 · Data scientist · 350 job evaluation points

UK GDaD PCF level: Associate data scientist

Most often performed at Civil Service grade EO or HEO.

An associate data scientist is inquisitive, curious about data and keen to learn and develop.
At this role level, you will:
understand the basics of software development and analytical methods, and be able to develop basic models
understand and be able to implement a range of data science techniques, including machine learning
collaborate with others to develop data science solutions and outputs supporting the organisation
prepare and manipulate data, and perform analytics
present and communicate effectively
be aware of project delivery methods
be aware of ethical considerations
have knowledge of the technologies used

Contains public sector information from the UK Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (https://understand-digital-data-roles-skills.service.gov.uk/), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.

Responsibilities

Build and test basic statistical and machine learning models, such as demand forecasts, with guidance.
Prepare and link health data sets for modelling in secure environments.
Measure how well models perform for different patient groups and report differences.
Present results and their uncertainty to analysts and service teams.
Document data sources, methods, and assumptions so work can be reproduced.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Applied maths, statistics and scientific practicesUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: apply analytical methods including exploratory data analysis and statistical testing to a specific data set, to reach accurate and reliable conclusions understand and use different performance and accuracy metrics for model validation in data science projects, hypothesis testing and information retrieval compare selected applied mathematics and statistical methods and identify their differences access and use the statistical and scientific tools available within the organisation
Data engineeringUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: identify the appropriate engineering support to design and provide products for the organisation recognise the processes and tools for cleansing and preparing data, and put reusable processes and checks in place use different architectures, including cloud and on-premise use data manipulation and transformation tools
Data ethics and privacyUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: apply fundamental principles of data ethics and privacy in your work under supervision share data ethics and privacy risks through appropriate channels
Data science innovationUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: adopt an inquisitive and curious approach to data seek out and research new data science techniques to support learning ask questions to improve your knowledge and learn about data science norms see possibilities for improvements and innovation
Delivering business impactUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: show an understanding of the organisation and the benefits of data science collaborate to help identify user needs and develop and deliver data science products communicate effectively and present analysis and visualisations tailored to your audience
Developing data science capabilityUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: manage your CPD (continuous professional development) and can link your learning to objectives and organisational goals confidently talk about the benefits of data science approaches to existing and potential customers demonstrate a good understanding of key data science techniques, such as machine learning, and you can use them to build data science solutions, including reports, models and dashboards
Programming and build (data science)UK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: write and test scripts and create basic models in one or more languages collaborate on shared codebases, using a variety of methodologies
Understanding product deliveryUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: show an awareness of the differences between delivery methods, such as Agile and waterfall, and can propose the most appropriate method to deliver each product manage your contribution to tasks to fit in with the work of your wider team
Understanding health and care servicesThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: describe the main parts of the health and care system and the services the organisation supports explain why patient safety and confidentiality matter in your work
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Working (2)	You can: apply data protection principles to your work contribute to data protection impact assessments handle information requests and records correctly
Pseudonymisation and disclosure controlThis reference	Working (2)	You can: work with pseudonymised data and apply disclosure checks before releasing outputs recognise when linked or detailed data could identify a patient
Safe and fair AI in health careThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain how a model can harm patients, for example through bias, drift, or over-reliance on its output explain why models need validating on the population they will be used with
Clinical terminology and classificationThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the difference between a clinical terminology and a classification recognise common terminologies such as SNOMED CT and ICD

Typical qualifications and experience

A degree in a numerate subject, a data science apprenticeship, or equivalent experience.

Band 5 outline

Knowledge: Professional or technical knowledge, typically from a degree or equivalent experience.
Autonomy: Works to broad objectives within professional standards; plans own work.
Scope: Own professional work within a team or product.
Leadership: May guide and check the work of support staff and apprentices.
Accountability: Quality of own professional work.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	4	Gives complex, sensitive, or contentious information needing persuasion, negotiation, or training skills, or highly complex information.	32
Knowledge, training, and experience	5	Expertise in a specialism, underpinned by theory or practical experience (degree level or equivalent).	120
Analytical and judgemental skills	4	Judgements on complex facts or situations needing analysis, interpretation, and comparison of options.	42
Planning and organisational skills	2	Plans straightforward tasks or activities, some ongoing.	15
Physical skills	3	Developed skills needing speed or accuracy, such as advanced keyboard use.	27
Responsibility for patient and client care	1	Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.	4
Responsibility for policy and service development	2	Implements policies for own area and proposes changes to its practices.	12
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	1	Takes personal care of equipment and resources used in own work.	5
Responsibility for people	1	Shows own work routines to new or less experienced colleagues.	5
Responsibility for information resources	4	Adapts or designs information systems to others' specifications, or runs information systems for a department as the main duty.	24
Responsibility for research and development	2	Regularly does research, development, trials, or equipment and system testing as part of the job.	12
Freedom to act	3	Follows defined policies and procedures; work is managed rather than supervised.	21
Physical effort	2	Frequent sitting or standing in a restricted position, or occasional light to moderate effort.	7
Mental effort	3	Frequent concentration on unpredictable work, or occasional prolonged concentration.	12
Emotional effort	1	Rare exposure, or occasional indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.	5
Working conditions	2	Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.	7
Total (Band 5: 326 to 395)			350