The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

BACKGROUND

Data Study Groups (DSG) are the Turing’s version of a hackathon, yet much more collaborative in nature. DSG events are held a number of times over a year. They provide an engagement tool for PhD level students and above (participants), as well as industry, government and third sector (Challenge Owners, CO) to engage with the Turing Institute. For participants it is a training activity, primarily peer to peer learning, where they get to work on real-life data science problems. For COs, it is an entry level engagement tool to working with the Turing, with our objective to develop the outputs of the DSG into further and bigger research projects.

DSGs require data science expertise to help prepare challenges for the events, curate and support the participants, and evaluate the quality of final reports.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Data Study Group team is a small team sitting within the academic engagement department. It comprises of two full time project management and coordination functions, supported by academics contributing part-time to all the scientific considerations required to host a successful event. It is important that there is a PhD level participant perspective (which is the DSG prime audience) is represented and has a voice when selecting challenges and participants.

Reporting to the Data Study Group Project 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.

This role is for a student currently undertaking a PhD in a data science related field, or adjacent field that involves data science. The applicant should have at least participated in a DSG in the past. Prior facilitation experience a bonus. The Student is responsible for checking how paid employment affects their tax status and for notifying HMRC accordingly.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Give academic feedback on prospective DSG challenges, specifically from a participant and facilitator point of view
• Support the Science Lead and/or DSG PIs in scoping DSG challenges – joining meetings and giving directions of DSG challenges
• General advising for the various scientific and recruitment aspects of study groups – science projects, participants applications, advising PIs
• Assess DSG 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

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

• 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.
• Participated in a Turing Data Study Group, or Data Study Group-Network (DSGn) event.
• Experience facilitating multi-disciplinary groups towards a common goal.
• Fluency in one or more modern programming languages used in research in data science and artificial intelligence(e.g. Python)
• Ability to rapidly assess industrial/commercial problems and come up with possible ideas and techniques in how to solve them.
• Designing academic studies and experiments (Taking industrial problems and turning them into academic investigations).
• Experience with messy real world data.
• Industry or consultancy experience in data science problems/context.
• Experience in making or evaluating the case for new projects (e.g. authoring or evaluating research proposals or business cases).
• Interested in a wide range of data science and AI techniques.
• Peer reviewing academic papers.

The successful applicant 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 or during a DSG.

Candidates should check with their university as to their arrangements on paid work and have the support of their supervisor before applying for this role. You will need to send your supervisors’ approval as part of your application. You will also need to confirm that you have a right to work in the UK.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a part-time role offered on a zero hours contract. The hourly rate for this casual position is £16 and the successful candidate will be expected to work 10-15 hours per week.

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

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, covering letter and contact details for your referees. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact them on 020 3862 3575 or 0203 862 3340, or email [email protected].

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 16 May 2021 at 23:59.

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.

Reasonable adjustments to the interview process will be made for any candidates with a disability.