Named in honour of Alan Turing, the Institute is a place for inspiring, exciting work and we need passionate, sharp, and innovative people who want to use their skills to contribute to our mission to make great leaps in data science and AI research to change the world for the better.

Please find more information about us here.

BACKGROUND

The Applied Skills Programme, sits within the Turing’s Skills department, and includes Data Study Groups (DSGs), the Turing Internship Network (TIN) and other future knowledge exchange and training activities focused on real-world data science problems.

DSGs are Turing's flagship version of a hackathon. They are centred around data and real-world problems and are exploratory and highly collaborative in nature. They provide an engagement tool for postgraduate students and above (participants), as well as industry, government and third sector (Challenge Owners) to engage with the Turing Institute, and its partners. TIN is an internship activity for PhD students to engage with industry on up to 6-month placements.

The Applied Skills Programme requires data science expertise to help prepare, review and QA subject matter and personnel for DSG, TIN and other Turing skills activities. This is a paid training opportunity.

ROLE PURPOSE

This role will see post holders learning, broadening and applying a wide variety of DS and AI concepts and potential techniques across the full gamut of applications and problems.

Reporting to the Applied Skills Programmes Manager, the role will support the delivery of Data Study Groups in academic and scientific assessments of incoming challenges, participant applications and final reports. The role will also provide support during a DSG event, primarily supporting the facilitators but also the participants to help ensure a smooth and enjoyable event for all stakeholders. For the Turing Internship Network, the role will support qualifying data science jobs for future interns, ensuring they are challenging and non-trivial, and support in the shortlisting of candidates.

The role will also act as a conduit for information sharing within their university and/or university region.

This role is for students currently undertaking a PhD in a data science related field, or adjacent field that involves data science within the UK. The applicant should have at least participated in a DSG or hackathon type event in the past. Prior facilitation experience is a bonus. Remote – Turing will cover travelling costs to be at events.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Give academic feedback on prospective DSG challenges, specifically from a participant and facilitator point of view
• Support the Applied Skills business team and DSG PIs in scoping DSG challenges – joining meetings and giving directions of DSG challenges
• General advising for the various scientific and recruitment aspects of Applied Skills programmes – science projects, participants applications, advising PIs
• Assess DSG and TIN participant applications during the selection process, using Flexigrant and attending tensioning meetings
• During a DSG, support the facilitators and participants – troubleshoot, advise and guide facilitators throughout the process during difficult situations or with underperforming groups to ensure their success
• Give academic feedback on the final DSG reports (during the event and at the end) to the PI – providing quality assurance for DSG reports before they are published
• Work with the business team to amplify calls for participants to Applied Skills calls within their own institution and nearby

Other duties

• Be a facilitator backstop in emergency
• Attend ad hoc one-off events throughout the year talking about DSG.
• Potentially help with corrections on final reports
• Input into the continuous development of the DSG event
• Review and test course materials and use cases
  

The successful applicant (s) will be expected to attend a weekly one-hour meeting, and some offline work during the week. The level of offline work can vary depending on where in the event life cycle we are. Estimated required time around 3 - 6 hour per week on average, up to 10 hours per week just before and/or during a DSG.

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the role.

• Working towards a PhD (or equivalent experience and/or qualifications) in a data science related field - include Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or related discipline
• Fluency in one or more modern programming languages used in research in data science and artificial intelligence(e.g. Python)
• Interested in a wide range of data science and AI techniques.
• Experience with messy real world data.
• Peer reviewing academic papers.
• Designing academic studies and experiments (Taking industrial problems and turning them into academic investigations).
• Ability to rapidly assess industrial/commercial problems and come up with possible ideas and techniques in how to solve them.
  

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3862 3536, or email [email protected].

If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to [email protected] quoting the job title.

If you are an internal applicant and wish to apply, please send your CV and Cover Letter directly to [email protected] and your application will be considered.

Your Cover Letter should demonstrate how your experience/knowledge meets the following aspects of the job description:

1. Working towards a PhD (or equivalent experience and/or qualifications)
2. Fluency in one or more modern programming languages
3. Interested in a wide range of data science and AI techniques.
4. Peer reviewing academic papers.
5. Participated in a data study group (or equivalent organised hackathons)
   

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: MONDAY 08 JULY 2024 AT 23:59 (LONDON, UK BST)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This role is offered on a casual-hours contract for up to 1 year from the start date. The hourly rate for this casual position is £22.09.

This contract is subject to there being no restriction by the Home Office or by the UK Border Entry to your entry and/or continued stay in the UK.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

We are committed to building a diverse community and would like our leadership team to reflect this. We therefore welcome applications from the broadest spectrum of backgrounds.

We are committed to making sure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive. This includes making reasonable adjustments for candidates who have a disability or long-term condition. Please contact us at [email protected] to find out how we can assist you.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check. Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].