Senior Data Scientist

Department: Risk

Location: London

Employment Type: FullTime

We’re on a mission to back the UK’s small businesses like no one else 🚀

Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and we’re here to help them win. We’ve built a platform that uses clever data to get them the funding they need in minutes, not weeks.

At Funding Circle, we have the restless energy of a fintech start-up with the stability of a public company. It’s a unique mix that gives Circlers the autonomy to take ownership and the scale to make an impact that truly counts.

We’re a high-performing team that chooses to lift each other up. We challenge, we champion, and we have each other’s backs - because we know that when we stand together, we move faster and build better.

The impact is real: Last year alone, the businesses on our platform generated £7.2bn for the UK economy 📈 Come and join a mission that matters!

[Read our Impact Report] | [See our Trustpilot]

The role ⚡

📍 London (Hybrid) | 🤝 3 days in the office | 💰 Competitive Salary + Benefits

We are looking for a Senior (Lead) Data Scientist to join us as we continue to evolve and build our next generation of models at Funding Circle. You will play a key role in developing, implementing and monitoring these models and drive significant value for the business.

As part of the Decision Science team, you will create cutting edge statistical and machine learning models and collaborate with data engineers, analysts, and business stakeholders. As well as improving on our previous generation models, we are expanding our borrower products so you will have the opportunity to develop completely new models.

• Develop statistical and machine learning models for commercial lending products

• Have a clear and relentless focus on delivering business results and be comfortable challenging the status quo

• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior team members during the model development lifecycle

• Mentor the team on best practices for risk mitigation

• Oversee the experimentation framework for model optimisations

• Conduct peer reviews of code and methodologies to ensure high-quality, scalable outputs

What we’re looking for 🌱

We value deep expertise, but a growth mindset and good energy are what really make our team click. We’re a group that chooses to lift each other up and think smart every day.

• Passionate about Funding Circle’s values and mission to support businesses

• Advanced Education: A Bachelors, Masters or PhD in a quantitative field or STEM related subject (Mathematics, Finance, Economics, Physics, Engineering…)

• Proven Expertise: Proven in problem-solving using logical reasoning and analytical methods and previous experience in Machine Learning and model building

• Technical Proficiency: Expert-level knowledge of Python and SQL

• Able to take ownership of redesigning departmental workflows, using AI to automate complex tasks and drive operational efficiency

• Competently able to Identify high-impact AI use cases and implement advanced prompting techniques to solve multi-layered business challenges

We’re building a place where everyone truly feels they belong. Even if your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we'd still love to hear from you.

Why join us? 💜

We back you to build an incredible career. As a flexible-first employer, we use a "best of both" approach. We’ll see you in our London office to collaborate – with barista coffee and subsidised Just Eat lunches on us!

Our Circler Proposition focuses on five areas:

• Flexibility: We provide a benefit allowance you can tailor to your own life and family.

• Health: This includes private medical and dental, health assessments, and access to a digital GP.

• Wealth: We offer life assurance, share schemes, and financial coaching.

• Development: You get a dedicated annual learning allowance to help you level up.

• Lifestyle: We have electric car and cycle-to-work schemes, plus season ticket loans.

We also have award-winning parental leave policies. We're here to support you through the big life moments, from fertility treatments to new additions to the family.

Ready to join a mission that matters? We’d love to chat!