Lead Data Scientist

Lead Data Scientist

Join RSSB as Lead Data Scientist and drive innovation by introducing new tools and frameworks, inspiring a culture of continuous improvement and experimentation.

As Lead Data Scientist, you will oversee analytical and machine learning projects, making sure our digital products address real-world problems. You will maintain best practices throughout the development lifecycle while mentoring junior team members.

This is a permanent role based at the RSSB office in Fenchurch Avenue with hybrid working.  In-office days will be based in the City of London, supported by a commuting travel subsidy benefit. The close date for the role is 26th February 2026.

What you'll do:

• Lead the delivery of analytical and machine learning workstreams, ensuring models and outputs are robust, repeatable, and aligned with business needs.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts, architects, and product teams to ensure analytical outputs are technically sound and ready for operational use.
• Uphold best practices in coding, documentation, reproducibility, version control, and model assurance.
• Support the implementation of secure, compliant, and well‑governed data science workflows.
• Provide technical guidance, code review, and coaching to junior data scientists, helping them build capability in modelling, testing, and delivery practices.
• Communicate analytical findings clearly and effectively, tailoring outputs to technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Contribute to fostering a collaborative, curious, and inclusive team environment.

What we’re looking for:

• Experience delivering applied data science or ML projects end-to-end, including feature engineering, model selection, evaluation, and iteration.
• Demonstrable experience developing solutions in Python, with good practices around code structure, testing, and version control.
• Experience in translating business problems into analytical approaches, and designing modelling strategies.
• Experience collaborating with data engineers, architects, and product teams to develop or integrate models into pipelines, services, or cloud tools.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas simply, using appropriate visualisation and storytelling techniques.
• Experience working in Agile delivery environments, contributing to sprint planning, backlog refinement, estimation, and iterative delivery.
• Ability to manage workloads across competing priorities, delivering high-quality work to agreed time, cost, and quality expectations.
• Commitment to good governance and security practices, ensuring data quality, reproducibility, and compliance with organisational standards.
• Curiosity and willingness to stay current with emerging analytics tools, frameworks, and modelling approaches.

Desirable:

• Experience deploying ML models or analytical services into cloud environments (Azure preferred).
• Experience with a range of ML and agentic frameworks, and cloud infrastructure.
• Familiarity with public sector and/or safety-critical environments.

Why Join RSSB? 

We value our people and offer a competitive benefits package, including:

• 30 days annual leave (plus bank holidays)
• Private medical and dental cover
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Season ticket loan and travel subsidy
• Cycle to work scheme
• Volunteer leave
• Performance-related bonus
• Pension scheme
• Learning and development opportunities 

Ready to Apply?

Apply now and help us shape the future of railway standards.

We value diversity and equal opportunities in employment and are committed to creating a workplace which is inclusive to everyone. As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, we encourage candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria, to apply for our jobs. If you have applied under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know in advance by emailing Find out more about Diversity and Inclusion at RSSB: Rail Safety and Standards Board Careers - VERCIDA

If you require any reasonable adjustments with respect to our selection process including information in an alternative format, please contact us at

We understand the importance of work-life balance, and we offer our staff the flexibility to work within our core hours and the option to vary their location between both the office and home. If you are looking for further flexibility, speak to us at interview stage so that we can consider your request.