Senior Data Scientist-Analytics Lead

Go back East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Senior Data Scientist-Analytics Lead

The closing date is 10 May 2026

We are seeking to recruit a Senior Data Scientist – Analytics Lead to help shape the future of data-driven decision-making across our organisation. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who wants to use advanced analytics, machine learning and AI to make a real difference to patient care and staff experience.

Working at the leading edge of Data Science, you will apply a blend of applied mathematics, statistics, advanced computing, visualisation and data engineering to real healthcare challenges. You will work closely with the Head of Analytics to maintain and grow our data science capability, enabling the greater use of machine-learning models and AI to support operational and clinical improvement.

Informatics is central to ESNEFT’s vision. We are committed to using data to transform the way health services are delivered for our 800,000 residents. With our philosophy that time matters, we use technology, logistics and innovation to free up staff time and improve patient experience and outcomes. Your work will play a key role in delivering the Trust's Informatics Strategy.

We want people who are curious, thoughtful and motivated by making a difference. You’ll be joining a supportive team where your voice is valued, your ideas are encouraged, and your development is taken seriously.

In line with our current home-working policy, your time will be split between Trust sites and home working. However, a minimum of 40% on site is expected for this role.

Main duties of the job

• Lead meaningful analytical projects that help improve patient care, using modern tools and techniques to turn complex data into clear, practical insights.
• Shape the future of our analytics team by supporting and developing a small group of data scientists, creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
• Work closely with colleagues across the Trust, building strong relationships and helping teams understand how data can solve real operational and strategic challenges.
• Drive innovation in our analytical tools and processes, helping us make the most of our EPR, Azure Data Lake, and emerging machine-learning technologies.
• Champion high-quality analysis by ensuring our work is accurate, accessible and impactful, and by helping create a culture where learning, collaboration and continuous improvement are valued.

About us

We are ESNEFT and we provide hospital and community health services to almost one million people across east Suffolk and north Essex. Our dedicated staff deliver care from acute hospitals in Colchester and Ipswich, community hospitals, surgeries, community clinics and in patients' own homes.

We are one of the largest NHS organisations in England, employing more than 12,000 staff.

We pride ourselves on supporting our staff. We offer a wide range of training and development opportunities, as well as flexible working options.

Along with supporting you to achieve your career goals we offer a generous pension scheme, unsocial hours payments (where applicable), 27 days annual leave on commencement (pro rata) and access to a range of NHS discounts. Our Staff Health and Wellbeing programme offer a variety of services.

Our philosophy is that Time Matters to everyone. Across the Trust, we concentrate on improving the things we do and removing those which cause time delays for our staff and patients.

We are investing in our commitment to Time Matters with a partnership with leading electronic patient record (EPR) supplier Epic. This digital transformation will bring what's widely regarded as the world’s best EPR system to ESNEFT, transforming life in hospital for staff and patients.

If you are passionate about patient care and want to develop your skills and knowledge, then we want to hear from you.

Job responsibilities

For full details of the responsibilities and duties of this role please see the attached job description.

Person Specification

Experience

• Experience in delivering analytical products and insights, including predictive analyses and visual analysis dashboards
• Experience of analysing data in R and Python
• Experience of working in a data science role
• Experience developing machine learning algorithms
• Experience managing medium size analytic projects
• Experience using GitHub for project documentation and validation
• Experience developing teams
• Experience working with Copliot and/or other LLMs (e.g. ChatGPT, Gemini) to develop automation tools
• Experience working with Epic EPR

Qualifications

• Educated to masters level or equivalent experience in a numerical subject, such as Maths, Statistics, Data Analysis or Data Science
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Further training in analytics and statistical analysis where relevant
• Management/leadership qualification or equivalent experience

Knowledge

• Advanced skills in programming language commonly used for data analysis (e.g. R, Python and SQL)
• Advanced user in R or Python
• Use of analytical techniques, including supervised and unsupervised machine learning algorithms, such as regression modelling, decision trees and classification.
• Benchmarking, modelling and forecasting skills
• Automation using Copilot or other LLMs
• Knowledge of NHS IT systems
• Understanding of NHS data flows and information issues, including Data

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust

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