About Us
MI5 safeguards the UK against threats such as terrorism, espionage, cyber and sabotage. We investigate suspect individuals and organisations in the UK to obtain, collate, analyse, and assess secret intelligence relating to these threats. Alongside our British Intelligence partners MI5 and GCHQ, we provide the UK government with the information they need to protect national security. At MI5 you’ll enjoy varied and rewarding work in a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.
The Role
Finding needles in haystacks is what we do.
Data Science (DS) forms a core part of MI5’s strategic approach to tackling the vast and complex data and threat landscape. Data Scientists and Machine Learning (ML) Engineers in MI6 are responsible for developing new capabilities, to help analysts to handle the increasing volumes of data.
We work with all sections of MI5, and you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with individuals from across the organisation and wider government, each with a unique problem to solve.
We work with data in a wide variety of formats and from a wealth of data sources and no two days here are the same. You can become proficient in the breadth of what we do: computer vision, natural language processing, network analysis and much more besides, or choose to specialise in other areas of interest.
With senior sponsorship, our goal is to build a series of multi-disciplinary data science teams made up of Data Scientists and ML Engineers who are focussed on pushing science-based analytics and tools from concept and design through to build and production. This might take the form of strategic, longer-term R&D projects to create full-production, scalable and supported capabilities. In addition, there will be short-term, fast-paced tactical work in response to urgent investigations and operations.
Data Science is inherently a collaborative effort and thus our Data Scientists typically work in a multi-disciplinary team, working closely with other Data Scientists, subject matter experts and ML Engineers. As a core part of this team, you will work with data science colleagues and Business Analysts to prioritise mission problems and manage them as collaborative capability development projects. You will work closely with customer teams across MI5 to test and refine these tools and methods, and you will support decisions around how to deploy them to maximise their impact. You will work closely with ML and Software Engineers to turn these ideas into tools that the wider organisation can use operationally.
As the DS capability grows, there are an increasing range of exciting opportunities to get involved with including:
- Working closely with our partners and customers as an embedded Data Scientist in an operational or Product team.
- Working closely with partners across government.
- Helping to shape the organisation’s approach to adoption of AI, for example by focusing on AI ethics, or Green AI Principles.
- Ownership over designing and establishing new ways of working and best practice.
The DDaT Capability Framework is a government-wide framework, which provides a common definition of over 40 digital, data and technology job roles, career paths and their associated skills. It was created to enable government organisations to attract, develop and retain the people and skills they need to achieve digital transformation. This role is aligned to the DDaT Data Scientist role profile, and we would recommend that candidates look at the skills requirements as these will be used as part of the technical assessment during interview.
This role may involve both national and international travel to build the team’s partnerships with other government organisations.
About You
As a member of a multi-disciplinary team, Data Scientists work closely with ML Engineers and other stakeholders to turn mission challenges into software solutions. Key responsibilities include:
- Working with mission teams and analysts to identify MI5 capability gaps, or potential capability enhancements and break them down into data science projects.
- Supporting the team to prioritise backlogs and proposed data science projects.
- Collaborating in small “sprint teams” of data scientists, working together to build components of data science capabilities.
- Working with ML Engineers, and our engineering branch to identify ways of scaling and deploying Data Science capabilities across MI5 data to achieve operational impact.
- Responding to requests for tactical data science from across MI5
- Undertaking training for your own data science skill development.
- Supporting and mentoring less experienced colleagues.
- Optional line management responsibility for 1-2 staff members if this aligns to your development goals.
Essential Skills
- Knowledge and skills in one of the following areas – applied statistics, Machine Learning, the scientific method, graph theory, pattern analysis or related.
- Coding experience in Python
- Strong communication skills – especially being able to explain complex solutions to non-experts.
- Team working and collaboration.
Desirable Skills
- Data analysis skills
- Comfortable working with large amounts of data or varying formats and types.
- Experience working in scientific research.
- Data visualisation.
- Agile ways of working.
- Tactical software development.
This role is suited to individuals who demonstrate sound problem solving and judgement; an ability to work as part of a team and to communicate in a variety of settings.
Training and Development
Continual professional development is a core part of the team ethos, and you will therefore be offered training opportunities throughout your career here.
Initially when you arrive, you’ll be offered training to get you up to speed with the systems we use, the datasets we handle, and the processes we follow. After that you will have a support network of experienced staff within your sprint team to help provide support and identify areas for training and development. We also operate buddy and mentoring schemes within the team to help you settle in. You will be required to stay in the role for 2 years after which you can apply for other DS opportunities within the organisation. There are also opportunities to pursue a master’s degree or PhD funded by the office on topics relevant to your role.
We support staff in choosing a flexible working pattern that suits them best and we promote opportunities for you to progress in your Data Science career, including regular dedicated research and personal development time. And as your career at MI5 develops you will have the opportunity to take your Data Science knowledge to a wide range of different career streams and business areas.
Rewards and Benefits
You’ll receive a starting salary of £57,495 for London and £55,448 for Manchester plus other benefits including:
- 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days of public and privilege holidays.
- Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme.
- Personal Learning Budget.
- Interest-free season ticket loan
- Excellent pension scheme
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars
- Paid parental and adoption leave.
Flexible Working
There is a possibility for flexible working such as fitting your working hours around your individual needs (subject to core hours and business need), term time and part time (minimum coverage of 3 days)
Before You Apply
To work at MI5, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. You can read our full eligibility criteria here.
This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV). It’s something everyone in the UK Intelligence Community undertakes. You can find out more about the vetting process here.
Please note we have a strict drugs policy, so once you start your application, you can’t take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.
The role is based in MI5, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. Please consider any financial implications and practicalities before submitting an application. An interest-free loan via our benevolent fund is available to assist with relocating into privately rented accommodation to take up the offer of employment.
Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member.
Equal Opportunities
At MI5 diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are under-represented in our workforce such as women, those from an ethnic minority background, people with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Find out more about our culture, working environment and diversity on our website:
https://www.mi5.gov.uk/careers/diversity
We’re Disability Confident
MI5 are proud to have achieved Leader status within the DWP’s Disability Confident scheme. This is aimed at encouraging employers to think differently about disability and take action to improve how they recruit, retain, and develop disabled people. Being Disability Confident, we aim to offer a person-to-person interview to any candidate who self-identifies as disabled and meets the essential criteria for the role. This is our “Offer of Interview” (OOI). To secure an interview for this vacancy, the essential criteria (in order of application process) are:
- Achieve the minimum pass mark in the Codility Test – assessed at Application Sift
What to Expect
Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:
- You will be invited to upload your CV and complete an online application form along with a codility test.
- If you pass, you’ll be invited to a competency interview.
- If you pass, you’ll start our vetting process.
Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you to continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.
Right to Withdraw Statement
Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.