Data scientists combine their IT, statistical and mathematical knowledge to help businesses make accurate decisions. They collect, extract and analyse large amounts of structured and unstructured raw data from a variety of sources to make predictions and identify trends based on their findings.

The Work

There are two kinds of data that you would work with:

• structured (traditional sources): easily sorted by computers, such as customer data like names and addresses or financial information in bank accounts
• unstructured (new and emerging sources): not easily sorted by computers, such as data from social media, emails or text files.

Data scientists are typically hired to work more with unstructured data.

You could be:

• gathering and sorting through large amounts of raw data from a variety of data sources, usually digital
• using keywords to pull out specific information from unstructured data sources, like Facebook pages
• using databases and statistical packages to deal with structured data
• identifying patterns and relationships in the data (data mining) – for example, the locations of phone calls, or the ‘likes’ on Facebook pages, to target advertising
• using programming languages like Python, Java or Perl for data mining
• examining specific information, such as metadata, or data related to internet searches before and after a significant event
• making predictions based on the data using machine learning (ML) models (artificial intelligence that gives a computer the ability to improve upon performing a repeated task)
• identifying future trends and developments in an industry (horizon scanning)
• building statistical models from the data and presenting this in a meaningful way to executives and stakeholders.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting salaries can be around £25,000 to £30,000 a year, rising to £40,000 a year and above with experience. Senior data scientists can earn up to £80,000 a year.

Data scientists on the Civil Service Fast Stream programme with the Government Statistical Service earn £28,000 a year. This rises to between £45,000 and £55,000 a year.

Conditions

• You would be based in an office and working at a computer most of the time.
• Working hours are usually standard 9.00am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday. However for project deadlines you would need to work overtime.
• You would work in a team with data architects, data engineers, analysts and others.

Getting In

• You need a degree in a mathematical or scientific discipline.
• Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Finance, Economics, Business administration, Engineering or Computer Science are all relevant subjects.
• Entry to this type of degree course is typically 4-5 Highers, usually including Maths, with English at least to National 5.
• If you don’t have a relevant degree, you can take a postgraduate course in a subject such as data science, business analytics, data science and analytics, or big data. Many universities in Scotland offer MSc courses in these subjects.
• Some employers ask for a postgraduate qualification.
• You could enter through the Civil Service Fast Stream programme with the Government Statistical Service. For entry you require a 2:1 Honours degree that includes formal statistical training.

Businesses increasingly rely on data analytics to improve decision making so opportunities for employment are excellent. You could work for a broad range of business types, although the leading employers are in retail, finance and e-commerce.

Jobs are widely advertised on the internet but there are specialist job sites such as Data Scientist Jobs.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2019

14274

1 %

RISE

2024

14417

  United Kingdom

2019

258847

3.7 %

RISE

2024

268399

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• strong business awareness
• excellent knowledge of specialist software and programming skills
• good analytical and problem solving skills
• good investigative skills
• the ability to work as part of a team
• excellent written and spoken communication skills, to explain your findings
• good attention to detail
• the motivation to work on your own.

Training

• You would train on the job with the specific type of organisation you work for. You will need to gain a good understanding of their products or services.
• Training might include courses on using programming languages such as Python or R, database tools such as SQL and object oriented languages like Java or C.
• You may take further relevant courses specialising in big data training through organisations such as the Operational Research Society or SAS Academy.

Getting On

• Once you gain more experience you will build on your technical and analytical skills.
• After a few years of experience you could get promoted to senior data scientist.
• A move to a senior role could involve managing staff and projects.
• You could move around different firms within different industries, since the skills that data scientists have are highly transferable.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.