Senior Data Scientist

Post: Senior Data Scientist
Salary: £54,332 per annum
Grade: FRS F
Salary range: £54,332 – £70,549 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Application closing date: 4 PM on Friday 04 July 2025

London Fire Brigade (LFB) is London’s Fire and Rescue Service – one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world. We are here to make London a safer city.

We employ over 5,500 people, across our operational team (our firefighters), control (our call handlers who answer your 999 calls) and our non-operational team (our teams who work behind the scenes to support our front-line services, including HR, IT, Finance, Procurement, Communications etc.).

LFB is looking for a skilled and forward-thinking Senior Data Scientist to lead our Data Science Team within the Performance Improvement & Business Intelligence section of the Corporate Services Directorate.

As the Senior Data Scientist, you’ll drive the use of advanced analytics, forecasting, and AI to support strategic decision-making across the Brigade. You will lead a team of data professionals delivering impactful, technically robust solutions to some of the most complex challenges in a large emergency service organisation.

You will have the opportunity to lead on the design and delivery of complex projects, applying machine learning, advanced statistics, and data storytelling to uncover insights, optimise performance, and forecast emerging risks. You’ll also play a key role in shaping the organisation’s capability in this space, developing standards, tools and training that enhance data literacy and confidence across LFB.

This post plays a critical part in ensuring we maximise the value of our data and maintain our position at the forefront of public sector analytics innovation.

This role requires in-person attendance at LFB Headquarters or on-site at fire stations at least two days per week.

Further information about the main duties and responsibilities of the role are detailed in the job description. If you are unable to see the job description, salary range or the full advert, please visit our jobs pages at https://jobs.london-fire.gov.uk/alljobs/ to access the full advert.

We value the diversity of our employees and aim to recruit a workforce which reflects our diverse communities across London. The London Fire Commissioner is an Equal Opportunities Employer and we positively welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, irrespective of people’s age, disability, gender, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or other personal circumstances. We have guidance in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

Assessment Overview
Stage 1

To apply, please complete the online application, upload a copy of your up-to-date CV and provide evidence to address the following selection criteria:

1. Demonstrable experience of working within a large, complex organisation in a data science or complex data analytics function.
2. Significant experience using advanced programming languages (either Python or R) and Power BI to undertake complex organisational analysis (e.g. modelling, forecasting).
3. Experience of extracting business value from data science methods using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
4. Excellent development skills in a complex programming language (Python is essential, R would be desirable as an addition).
5. App building skills (Python is essential, R or Power Automate would be desirable as additions).

Please note that we will score the evidence you provide based on the competencies listed in the selection criteria above.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend stage 2.

Please ensure you give yourself enough time to complete and submit your application. Late or un-submitted applications cannot be accepted.

Please note any correspondence received from us will be via e-mail and sent to the address you provide on your application form.

Stage 2

Assessment for this role is due to take place week commencing 14 July 2025 Please be advised that if you are unable to make the scheduled assessment date, we may not be able to make alternative arrangements.

Additional Information
Benefits of working for the London Fire Brigade

• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Flexi-time Scheme (which can result in an additional 12 days annual leave)
• Additional leave between Christmas Day and New Year
• Family (including maternity) leave and emergency support leave
• Flexible working including work from home 60%
• Free access to the Brigade gym
• Use of the Brigade’s Medical Adviser/physios/fitness advisers
• Free counselling
• Season ticket loans
• Join social networks including our Equality Support Groups
• Contributory pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Staff discount scheme including access to Blue Light Card retail and hospitality discounts
• Opportunity to access affordable accommodation

In line with the Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) employment checks will be completed by successful candidates, which will include a Standard criminal records check. Successful candidate will be required to declare any convictions for offences and any offer of employment is subject to the LFC receiving a criminal records disclosure which it considers satisfactory.