Title:  Senior Data Scientist

About the role

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

We are looking for a Senior Data Scientist to join the Data Science team as part of Gas and Whole Energy Network Development. The team produces probabilistic forecasts and provides analytical insights as part of NESO’s gas network planning functions and are growing in scope to support work around decarbonisation, hydrogen network planning, and whole energy interactions.

The Senior Data Scientist will play a key role in developing, maintaining, and running models, and in driving change through delivering new data insights. You will develop pipelines and automation for existing processes and will lead the team in following data management and data quality best practice.

You will drive the creation and improvement of data science techniques to ensure our modelling work remains robust. You will also provide input and challenge to steer the direction of a range of projects, taking a leading role in supporting the development of colleagues across NESO’s data science community.

This role can be based from Wokingham, Warwick or Glasgow and we continue to offer hybrid working from office and home. We are open to full time and part time applicants, as well as flexible working arrangements. 

About us

The creation of National Energy System Operator (NESO) is driven by an urgent need to unify and optimise our approach to energy. A more integrated and coordinated strategy is needed to meet the unprecedented challenges of climate change, ensuring secure energy supply, and keeping costs manageable for consumers. 

Join us and empower your potential, energise our team, and be part of something bigger. 

Your energy, our future, together. 

About the National Energy System Operator (NESO)

In Autumn of 2024, the ESO transitioned to National Energy System Operator, or NESO for short. Previously denoted as the Future System Operator (or FSO), the new National Energy System Operator is the independent body responsible for planning Great Britain’s electricity and gas networks and operating the electricity system.   

The ESO, including all of its existing roles, are now at the heart of the new National Energy System Operator. As NESO, we will build on our existing roles, capabilities, and ways of working significantly to create an organisation the energy system and its users’ need. Our new capabilities will enable us to look across vectors, including electricity, natural gas and hydrogen, and crucially consider the trade-offs between them.  

The organisation is set up as a public corporation with its own Board of independent directors, with complete operational independence from government, the regulator and any and all commercial interest. As was the ESO, NESO will be licenced and regulated by Ofgem through price control agreements and obligated to identify optimal solutions to system operations and planning in the most sustainable, affordable and secure way for all.  

The time to deliver is now. As part of our team, you won’t just be touching the lives of almost everyone in Great Britain – you’ll be shaping the way we use and consume energy for generations to come. 

Key Accountabilities

• Working within established data handling guidelines, collect, collate, and cleanse raw data and convert into useable formats. Apply an end-to-end mindset, understanding both where the data has come from and how it can be used to drive meaningful decision support for the NESO leadership.
• Develop probabilistic forecasts of GB gas demand and supply at a regional level using a range of statistical techniques, including Monte Carlo sampling. Maintain and run models to support analysis feeding into the Centralised Strategic Network Plan
• Use data science skills to support projects within the wider GWEND team concerning emerging hydrogen network planning, decarbonisation of industrial cluster sites, and whole energy interactions, including the analysis of geospatial data.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines for existing GWEND processes and drive the automation of existing processes.
• Effectively communicate the impact of technical findings to a widespread audience, including Senior Management, Ofgem, DESNZ, and National Gas.
• Stay abreast of developments and advancements in data science, machine learning, automation, and other relevant trends to drive continuous improvements in how NESO manages and capitalises on the information and data it holds.
• Lead data quality and assurance, and data management processes within GWEND.
• Take a leading role in the emerging data science community throughout NESO, demonstrating best practice and supporting the development of other team members.
• Undertake ad hoc projects and initiatives relevant to data management, data handling, data cleansing, high-volume analytics, and insight generation as requested by NESO management. Undertake exploratory data analysis of complex data sets and develop data visualisations used to bring insight to a range of stakeholders.

About you

We’re forging the path, and we know we can’t do it alone. That’s why we need visionary minds like yours to join us on this transformative journey. In this case, we’re looking for someone who: 

• Has proficient experience in writing clear and well-documented productionised code in R, Python, or another high-level language, which is used to drive business decisions.
• Has experience of developing statistical (and machine learning) forecasting models from first principles and understanding of the strengths and limitations of modelling assumptions. Knowledge of statistical techniques, such as Monte Carlo methods, regression analysis, and clustering would be beneficial.
• Is adept at using version control and a cloud computing environment as part of a team of data scientists.
• Has experience of developing end-to-end data pipelines and automating data processes.
• Has the ability to discuss with key stakeholders to ascertain modelling assumptions and understand how modelling results can bring insight and is able to interpret technical findings to drive change.
• Uses a logical and creative approach to solving analytical problems, collaborating across multiple teams where appropriate
• Experience of the energy industry, particularly gas or hydrogen, would be beneficial.

Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we’re committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment process where everyone can show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds to build a workforce that feels valued and respected and represents the communities we serve. 

About what you'll get

A competitive salary between £58,000 - £72,000 per annum dependent on experience and capability. As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus based on company performance, 26 days annual leave as standard and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%.  

As we work towards creating a cleaner, greener, and more affordable future for all, we also work towards creating a place for our teammates to belong, with professional and personal growth and positive well-being. 

• Full support and career-development resources to expand your skills, enhance your expertise, and maximise your potential along your career journey. 
• A diverse and inclusive community of belonging, where teammates are empowered to bring ideas to the table. 
• Generous Total Rewards Plan – comprising of health, finance and wealth, work/life balance, and career benefits. 
  
  

More information

This role closes on 2nd November 2025 at 23:59, however we encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible and not wait until the published closing date as this can vary.

We work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office.  

We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential. 

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