Occupation
Data scientist
Data scientists use statistics and programming to answer questions that simple reporting cannot, such as predicting an outcome or estimating the effect of a change. They frame the problem, build and validate a model, and communicate how much confidence the result actually deserves.
Also known as: Applied statistician · Quantitative analyst · Research data scientist
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Occupation content
Part of Information technology, data and cybersecurity
A visual day in the work
What the work involves
Translate a business question into a statistical or modelling problem
Explore and prepare datasets, checking distributions and missing values
Build, train, and validate models against held-out data
Design and evaluate experiments such as controlled comparisons
Present results and their uncertainty to non-specialist audiences
Entry-route stepper
How people commonly enter
A degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, or a quantitative science
A postgraduate qualification in data science, statistics, or a research discipline
A data science or artificial intelligence apprenticeship with an employer
Progression from a data analyst or research role after building modelling skills
Typical training: Bachelor's degree
Licensing: Not typically licensed
Pathways: Apprenticeship route
Work-context map
Typical work context
- Desk based
- Quiet focus
- Team based
- Remote capable
- Hybrid office
Desk based · Quiet focus · Team based · Remote capable · Hybrid office
Related interests
- Investigative (analytical)
- Conventional (organizing)
- Realistic (hands-on)
Investigative (analytical) · Conventional (organizing) · Realistic (hands-on)
Related aptitude preparation
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Skills to practise
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
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Information technology, data and cybersecurity: education pathways
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Information technology, data and cybersecurity: licensing
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