Job Description

Data Scientist I

Reading/London

Role Impact:

As a Data Scientist embedded within a thriving and rapidly expanding team of 20+ specialists, you will play a key role in shaping the analytical foundation of our business. Working from our Reading office, alongside our London office (if this is more convenient), you will drive meaningful outcomes by transforming extremely large datasets into actionable insights, directly influencing the development and enhancement of our internal product suite.

Through close collaboration with Research, Operations, and Engineering teams, you will contribute to a culture of innovation and cross-functional excellence. The algorithms and solutions you build will sit at the heart of our product offerings, powering the capabilities that set us apart and enabling the business to scale with confidence.

We’re Looking For:

A Data Scientist who’ll be responsible for analyzing extremely large datasets, developing and enhancing our internal product suite, collaborating with Research, Operations, and Engineering teams, and building algorithms that power our innovative solutions.

We're looking for someone to:

• Explore and extract data from multiple sources and interrogate this data to create meaningful insights for product development and internal analytics
• Scope and define the approach to typical projects that the Data Science Team works on, collaborating closely with Research, Operations, and Engineering teams
• Research, develop, and test solutions using machine learning algorithms such as random forests, gradient boosting, support vector machines, and Bayesian inference methods, with emphasis on Bayesian methods and advanced statistical techniques
• Maintain and improve our machine learning pipelines, processes and products, including model deployment, versioning, and production readiness, ensuring models are robust and avoid issues such as data leakage
• Use tools and languages such as Python, SQL and Tableau for reporting and analysis on our cloud data platform (AWS, Azure, etc.)
• Work with our India-based Data Engineering team and cross-functional product teams in the US and UK
• Have knowledge of a broader set of techniques available for each type of ML problem, with real in-depth knowledge in a couple of areas (e.g. Forecasting, Segmentation, Bayesian modelling)
• Critically think about what features are required to address product and business problems, transform the data accordingly, and implement feature engineering and selection techniques, model evaluation metrics, and cross-validation techniques
• Develop and maintain understanding of our product suite to identify data-driven enhancement opportunities

Qualifications:

• 2-4 years' experience working within the Data Science domain
• Proven experience managing Data Science projects independently
• A desire to understand the why and dig into data to understand what makes people tick
• A Bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, or any related field. A Master's Degree or higher is a plus
• Strong programming skills; proven proficiency with Python & Pandas is essential
• Solid data analytics skills with SQL
• Strong familiarity with cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and cloud-based data infrastructure
• Knowledge of advanced statistical methods, particularly Bayesian statistics and probabilistic modelling
• Entry-level to practical knowledge of ML engineering including model deployment, containerization (Docker), model versioning, and CI/CD pipelines
• Experience using LLMs via API and ideally use of wrappers or frameworks that allow easy switching between models and redundant calls
• Experience with version control systems (Git) and collaborative development workflows
• Familiarity with model deployment frameworks and tools (MLflow, Kubernetes, etc.) is a plus
• Strong communication skills and ability to document requirements and collaborate effectively with Research, Operations, and Engineering teams
• Ability to manage deadlines, prioritize tasks, and multitask effectively with strong attention to detail
• Experience with project management software (e.g. Jira) is a plus
• An appreciation for quantitative market research techniques is beneficial but not necessary

Who We Are:

MarketCast measures what moves people. Powered by AI, trained on decades of verified consumer response data, along with proprietary technology, MarketCast is the marketing effectiveness partner for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting emotional resonance to real-world business outcomes across advertising, sponsorships, content, brand health, and advanced analytics. With category-deep expertise spanning sports, entertainment, travel, automotive, and consumer brands, our team of seasoned industry strategists brings unmatched human intelligence to every engagement, turning complex data into decisive action so brands know exactly what's working, why it's working, and what to do next.

At MarketCast, we don't just accept difference - we embrace it, support it, and thrive on it for the benefit of our global culture and success. MarketCast is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know. Check us out on LinkedIn and at: www.marketcast.com

Our Values:

Move the Needle

We turn insight into action and action into impact, acting with urgency and intention at every level, anticipating what's needed, executing with discipline, and driving outcomes that are measured and meaningful.

Client Success is Our Scoreboard

We win when our clients win. Delivering scaled, tech-enabled solutions that drive measurable impact and value to build lasting partnerships.

Grow Every Day

Expertise is earned continuously by investing in our craft, our colleagues, and our company.

Own It

Take responsibility for outcomes, not just outputs.

Benefits:

• Free movie tickets!
• 29 days annual leave PLUS Bank Holidays
• Flextime with core hours between 10am and 3pm
• 2 days’ work from home, per week
• 4% match pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity pay
• Regular social events in both UK locations
• Professional growth and career development including LinkedIn Learning

In addition to your salary, MarketCast believes in providing a competitive total rewards package for its employees. All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements, and the terms of our official plan may be modified or amended from time to time.

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (UK GDPR) NOTICE: The organisation collects and processes personal data relating to its applicants, employees and former employees to manage pre-employment and employment relationships and post-employment obligations. The organisation is committed to being transparent about how it collects and uses that data and to meeting its data protection obligations. For further information on the information we collect, how it’s used, and how it's protected, please contact the MarketCast UK HR Team.