Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship
Location
Dstl Portsdown West, Fareham, Hampshire, or Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire or Dstl Newcastle, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
About the job
Job summary
Kick-start a career in data science and artificial intelligence?
AND work on projects that make a real difference in defence and security?
AND earn a degree with no student debt whilst being paid?
It almost sounds too good to be true…but it’s not!
You can embark on Bsc (Hons) Data Science Level 6 apprenticeship.
Your journey in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) begins in either Exploration or Cyber and Information Systems (CIS).
You will share our values collaboration, innovation and impact, which are at the heart of everything we do. Your apprenticeship will see you exploit data and technology to solve problems as you support a range of projects.
This is no ordinary office job opportunity – so many elements of what you do you can’t do anywhere else!
You will be encouraged to question norms and bring fresh ideas to challenges. As priorities change, you can expect variety and we are honest when we say no two days are the same!
Your studies will be supported by our training provider and the area you work in.
Your current situation
You may have never worked in an office, be finishing sixth form, leaving the armed forces or looking for a change. No matter what your current situation is, if you are at least 18 years old you can join us as a Data Science Apprentice.
What’s next?
Once you have successfully completed your apprenticeship, if you have demonstrated the required behaviours, we will support you in applying for a permanent position at Dstl
Job description
In this role you will:
Understand how data is collected and transformed to create strategic advantage
Develop techniques to data manipulation and apply them
Learn how to present data to customers, industry partners and academia
A full list is available on the attached profile on CS Jobs
Person specification
You will have:
A genuine interest in data science, artificial intelligence and the defence industry
A good understanding of basic mathematic principles and the desire to learn more
A full list is available on the attached profile on CS Jobs
You will possess these essential skills:
The ability to learn new data techniques
Good communication skills, both written and verbal
Problem solving
Desirably you will have:
Basic understanding or use of computer programming languages which may include either python, R or C++ - Familiar with an alternative language – let us know!
A full list is available on the attached profile on CS Jobs
You will have these Essential Qualifications
Minimum of 3 ‘A’ levels (actual or expected grades) scoring 112 UCAS points (BBC) or equivalent with at least one in Mathematics or Computer Science or Physics.
You will also need to hold 5 Grade 9 – 4 (C+) GCSEs or equivalent, including English and Maths.
Desirable:
A second relevant A-Level in Maths, Statistics, Physics or Computer Science
Maths GCSE Grade 9-6 (B+)
Don’t have an A-Level in Maths, Statistics, Physics or Computer Science but are a keen hobbyist, done some online courses? Please apply and reference them in your application.
Important Information
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. You must be at least 18 years old in September 2024 to undertake this apprenticeship.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Delivering at Pace
Working Together
Communicating and Influencing
Developing Self and Others
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £24,511, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £6,618 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.
Sifting will take place week commencing the 25th February with interviews to be arranged from the 18th March 2024
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Name :Dstl Recruitment
Email :jwoodell-hall@dstl.gov.uk
Recruitment team
Email :dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Further information
Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.
We are proud supporters of Women in Data®. Connect, engage and belong to the largest free female data community in the UK – visit: www.womenindata.co.uk to join our community.
APPLY HERE: Data Scientist Degree Apprenticeship