Overview

The role of Lead Data Scientist is a new role that will work across North London Foundation Trust and the postholder will play a key role in leading on the development of a new data science function that will contribute to the delivery of the NLFT Digital Strategy.

The postholder will be responsible for the design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance of machine learning and artificial intelligence models trained on data held in the Partnership’s Microsoft Azure data platform. The postholder will take a lead in the exploratory development of Generative AI models that will include close working with industry and academic partners to develop small and large language models that will underpin transformed clinical and operational delivery across all sites and divisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide line management of embedded data science graduate placements and will provide a key conduit to academic and industry partners.
• Foster strong relationships with clinical, operation and administrative leadership to understand their requirements and to translate these into high-impact AI use cases and solutions.
• Lead on the development of machine learning, time series forecasting, generative AI and other data science models and solutions.
• Lead on AI model creation, implementation and monitoring using the Partnership’s cloud data platform. The role will involve the detailed analysis and understanding of complex technical and business requirements across multiple services across the Partnership and the Trust to deliver high quality products and facilitate their delivery into business-as-usual operation.
• Contribute to developing and delivery long-term strategic goals for data science architecture, vision and standards in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders.
• Work in partnership with the wider Digital Team to create strategies and plans for data capacity planning, data security, lifecycle data management, scalability, backup, disaster recovery, business continuity and archiving.

About NLFT

North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT) is committed to improving mental health care across North London to deliver excellent services to our local people.

Our Five-Year Strategy:

1. We will provide consistently high-quality care closer to home.
2. With our partners in North London and each borough, we will ensure equity of outcome for all.
3. We will offer great places to work, providing staff with a supportive environment to deliver outstanding care.

Why NLFT?

• We develop and retain our staff through leadership behaviours and managers programme and many more opportunities.
• We promote flexible working and support staff with a range of health and wellbeing initiatives.
• NHS Discounts, generous annual leave and NHS pension scheme.
• Excellent internal staff network.

Location and requirements

In order to meet the needs of the Trust you may be required from time to time to work at different locations under Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey or Islington. The Trust reserves the right to require staff to work at such other places or locations as it considers reasonable and necessary on a temporary or permanent basis.

Delivery and standards

Responsible for regular reviews of the Partnership’s Microsoft Synapse/Azure data platform to ensure the data science architecture is up to date with the latest industry standards and enables rapid AI model development using the latest platform frameworks.

Data engineering focus

Responsible for building data modelling processes and entities that will facilitate the Trust accelerating the use of AI capability to enable patient outcome improvement and productivity gains. Technical development and maintenance will be required across these areas and therefore this role requires a breadth and depth of technical knowledge to support this complex environment.

This advert closes on Sunday 21 Sep 2025.