Principal Product Manager (Analytics)

Department: Product

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: UK

Description

About us

We are Digital Science and we are advancing the research ecosystem.

We are a pioneering technology company, and our vision is of a future where a trusted and collaborative research ecosystem drives progress for all. We believe in better, open, collaborative and inclusive research. In creating the next generation of tools and working in partnership with the community we tackle some of the biggest challenges to research. In order to achieve our vision, we need innovative, inspiring and dynamic people to join our team. Want to join us?

Digital Science is building the research system of the future, and AI is central to that transformation. DS Nova is our dedicated AI innovation unit made up of nimble, autonomous, cross-functional squads that focus on rapidly prototyping and validating AI-native research tools.

We operate with a startup mindset inside Digital Science, moving from concept to user-validated prototype in short cycles with a philosophy of “fail fast or prove fast.” DS Nova has a dual purpose: creating breakthrough AI products for researchers and pioneering new approaches to product development that can influence how Digital Science builds and validates products more broadly.

This isn’t a traditional product management role. We’re not looking for someone to manage feature backlogs or incrementally optimize existing products. We’re looking for someone who thrives in ambiguity, who wants to invent what doesn’t yet exist, and who can translate between human needs and AI solutions.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Product Manager to join a DS Nova squad and work with engineers, designers, AI researchers, and domain experts. This role is focused on 0 to 1 product discovery and development, leading rapid prototyping cycles with continuous validation from real users and stakeholders.

You will own the definition of problem spaces, translate complex technical challenges into market opportunities, and guide early-stage products through proof-of-concept phases toward potential transition into core product teams. You will also help DS Nova refine product development methodologies that may be adopted across all of Digital Science.

Please note - due to business need, we can only accept applications from candidates who reside in the following locations where we have established legal entities: East Coast of the US, within EST time zone, UK, Spain, Germany, Romania. If you apply from outside of these areas, your application will not be considered.

Please be aware that we may close this position early if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply promptly.

What you’ll be doing

Product Strategy & Problem Definition

• Lead the definition of problem spaces, set clear goals, and identify opportunities aligned with market drivers and business models
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis, synthesizing findings into concise presentations for senior leadership
• Define differentiation strategies and contribute to early commercial positioning
• Develop frameworks and evaluation criteria to guide Nova projects from concept to handoff
• Help establish best practices and frameworks that can be adopted across Digital Science's broader product organization

AI Discovery and Validation

• Collaborate with engineering and research teams to assess technical feasibility, data needs, and cost-effectiveness
• Work alongside AI systems as co-pilots in product discovery, leveraging machine intelligence while applying human judgment
• Translate complex AI challenges into clear market opportunities and user value propositions
• Define success metrics that combine model performance, user experience, and business outcomes
• Shape human-in-the-loop workflows that balance automation with expert judgment
• Ensure data quality and evaluation methodologies are established early in each project

Product Development & Execution

• Guide rapid prototyping sprints and iterative development cycles
• Prioritize and refine features based on user validation and market potential
• Prepare deliverables and ensure readiness for handoff to core product teams
• Create and deliver compelling demos that highlight problem statements, technical solutions, and data architectures

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a primary liaison between engineering, design, data, commercial, and client-facing teams
• Communicate value propositions to both internal and external stakeholders
• Provide strategic feedback on technical requirements and client needs
• Contribute actively in team standups and strategic planning

Responsible AI Leadership

• Champion responsible AI practices including bias mitigation, transparency, and privacy protection
• Ensure AI systems are explainable and build trust through clear documentation of capabilities and limitations
• Balance rapid innovation with ethical considerations and regulatory requirements

What you’ll bring to the role

Essential Experience

• 4+ years of product management experience with a strong track record in discovery, definition, and delivery
• Proven ability to build products from scratch in agile or iterative environments
• Experience translating technical complexity into clear user and market opportunities
• Success working with cross-functional teams across engineering, design, and commercial functions
• Strong analytical skills with experience in market research, competitive analysis, and synthesis of stakeholder feedback

Technical and Domain Knowledge

• Familiarity with SaaS business models and enterprise product lifecycles
• Practical knowledge of AI and machine learning concepts, including training data and evaluation
• Experience with AI ethics frameworks and bias detection methodologies
• Understanding of researcher workflows, academic publishing, or scientific software is a strong plus
• Experience with proofs of concept and early-stage product transitions
• Experience with data visualization, analytics platforms, or research intelligence tools preferred
• Understanding of research metrics, bibliometrics, or citation analysis is a strong plus
• Knowledge of natural language interfaces, automated reporting, or contextual insights tools
• Familiarity with trend analysis or predictive analytics applications

Leadership & Communication

• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to convey complex ideas to executives, clients, and technical teams
• Strong stakeholder management across technical and commercial functions
• Ability to design and deliver compelling product demos and presentations
• Skilled at providing strategic input on technical documents and client requirements

Nova Mindset

• Thrives in fast-moving and ambiguous environments with minimal process overhead
• Comfortable making decisions with incomplete information and pivoting quickly based on feedback
• Curious, experimental, and motivated to generate momentum in uncertainty
• Experience serving as translator between technical AI capabilities and business/user value
• Interested in pioneering product practices that balance speed, rigor, and responsible AI.

Don’t worry if you don’t meet every qualification—let us be the judge! Studies show that many qualified candidates from under-represented groups hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage you to submit your application.

Living our Values

We invest in, nurture and support innovative businesses and technologies that make all parts of the research process more open, efficient and effective.

The talent we secure is fundamental to us achieving our vision and our growth plans. The values we live by are:

We are brave in the pursuit of better

We are collaborative and inclusive

We are always open-minded

We are from and for the community

At Digital Science, our vision is to see research flow seamlessly – trusted, collaborative, and accessible – fueling breakthroughs that push humanity forward. This ambitious mission is one we achieve together, by enabling open, collaborative, inclusive research.

We firmly believe that to truly innovate and solve the complex challenges faced by our customers, from researchers and universities to funders and publishers, we need diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas. A rich mix of voices drives quality insights, fosters enhanced collaboration, and ultimately pushes knowledge forward more effectively.

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to building and nurturing a workplace where every individual feels valued and belongs. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status. Beyond recruitment, we strive to cultivate an environment where inclusivity is woven into the fabric of our culture, enabling everyone to be their best self and do their best work.