Job Title: Senior Data Scientist

Job Summary

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a unique organisation that works to save and improve lives every day.

We are looking for a Senior Data Scientist who is passionate about using data to drive meaningful change to join our Data Intelligence Programme. Sitting at the heart of our modernisation and transformation agenda, this role goes beyond traditional analysis leveraging advanced analytics and innovative data science techniques to unlock powerful insights that improve our services and patient outcomes.

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will play a key role in shaping how we use data for prediction, optimising operations, and enhancing decision-making. You’ll work with complex, high-impact datasets to develop models and solutions that support smarter, faster, and more proactive interventions across the organisation.

The Data Intelligence Programme is a critical enabler of our ambitions to ensure blood stock resilience, improve clinical quality, and deliver more efficient, safe, inclusive, and resilient services. By transforming data into actionable intelligence, you will help provide our teams with timely, predictive, and trusted insights that drive continuous improvement and innovation.

Everything we do is ultimately about improving care and outcomes for donors and patients, and we are bringing together professionals with the vision, influence, and expertise to unlock the full potential of data in NHSBT. So, if you share our passion and want your work to make a meaningful, measurable impact on healthcare across the UK, we’d love to hear from you

Main duties of the job

• Lead the development, delivery and continuous improvement of data analysis, modelling and reporting for the Blood Supply directorate.
• Extract, integrate and analyse complex datasets using tools such as SQL, Python, Power BI and Excel.
• Design and deliver dashboards, visualisations and statistical models to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Translate complex analytical findings into clear, meaningful insights for a wide range of audiences, including senior leaders.
• Provide expert advice and act as a subject matter expert on data analysis and interpretation.
• Manage, coach and develop a team of analysts, supporting their performance and professional growth.
• Support key projects and programmes by developing data solutions, monitoring progress, and evaluating impact.
• Ensure data quality, governance and compliance with relevant legislation and organisational policies.
• Work collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders to deliver high-quality, impactful insights.
• Promote the use of data and analytics to drive continuous improvement and evidence-based decision making.

About You

Experience and Knowledge

• Strong data science expertise with the ability to analyse large, complex datasets and identify trends and insights.
• Proven experience using tools such as SQL, Python and business intelligence platforms to extract, manipulate and visualise data.
• Experience applying statistical and analytical techniques to support decision making.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex information clearly to a range of stakeholders.
• Experience of managing or supporting staff, including coaching and performance development.

Qualifications and Training

• Master’s degree in a relevant numerate subject, or equivalent experience working at a similar level.
• Advanced training or experience in data analysis and relevant software tools.
• Evidence of continued professional development.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.

About Us

It takes all types of people to deliver the kind of service that saves and improves lives. At NHS Blood and Transplant, you’ll join a team of more than 6,000 people who are making a genuine difference to communities, families, friends, relatives and more across the UK. We play a unique and special role in the NHS by helping people do something extraordinary- donate blood, blood products, organs, tissues, or stem cells to save someone in need.

Our three core values are what set us apart. They guide and inspire everything we do.

By being caring, expertly meeting the needs of our patients and our people, and accepting nothing less than the best quality, we can do extraordinary work and help our people to do something extraordinary in their career, too. Three small words, one big difference - Caring, Expert and Quality. Together we'll save and improve more lives than ever.

You will join us on our journey to create an inclusive workplace and aim to reflect the diverse communities we work with, and we positively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

What we offer:

Hybrid working arrangements because NHSBT works nationally, we’re able to offer hybrid working options that give you more flexibility to balance work with life.

• Flexible working options we promote flexible working where the role allows. We’re happy to discuss what flexibility might look like for you.
• Generous annual leave - 27 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time) plus Bank Holidays, increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and to 33 days after 10 years.
• Inclusive pension scheme - the NHS Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme (not dependent on investment returns). Further details and outline of benefits can be found at: http://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/information-about-nhs-pensions
• Supportive learning culture - we’ve fostered a culture of continuous learning where colleagues are well-led, engaged, and encouraged to grow. We support you in reaching your full potential, both in your current role and future career. Our Thrive program embodies our commitment to learning and development, offering a wide range of activities to support your personal and professional growth. It’s open to everyone at NHSBT, ensuring you have the resources to succeed and shine in your role.
• Health and wellbeing support we offer confidential services including occupational health, employee assistance programme, and wellbeing resources. Our support is available to all colleagues and we endeavour to provide tailored workplace adjustments where possible.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we welcome applications from disabled candidates. We will talk with you to explore any adjustments that may help you during the recruitment process.

You can find more information about accessibility, our culture, and how we support applicants on the NHSBT Careers website:

• Read about our application process
• Learn more about our culture at NHSBT

To learn more, please see the job description and person specification. These can be accessed via the link below, or by clicking ‘Apply’ if you are viewing this advert on another site.

Next steps

This vacancy will close at 23:59 on Thursday 9th July 2026, however, this vacancy may close sooner than the advertised deadline if we receive a high volume of application.

The assessment process for this role will include: a single interview.

Interviews are anticipated to be held on 28th July (face-to-face in Birmingham)

For informal enquiries please contact

Name: Ed Gibbons

Job Title: Head of Business Intelligence & Performance

Contact Details: Email ed.gibbons@nhsbt.nhs.uk