Lead Data Scientist - Deep Learning Practitioner

Capital One (Europe) plc; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services company is seeking a Data Scientist to lead the development of proprietary deep learning models in Nottingham. The appointed candidate will influence underwriting and support the development of products using Large Language Models. Successful applicants will have deep learning expertise and strong Python skills, as well as a collaborative mindset to engage with various teams. This role offers a hybrid working model with strong career progression opportunities.

Benefits

Generous bonus and holiday entitlement

Private medical insurance

Flexible working arrangements

Access to gym and mindfulness facilities

Qualifications

• Strong experience with developing and deploying deep learning models for sequential data.
• Proven track record in leading model development and mentoring team members.
• Experience producing reliable and maintainable code in Python.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of new deep learning approaches for underwriting models.
• Own the roadmap, balancing R&D with real market results.
• Consult with tech and product partners on product design and launch.

Skills

Deep learning models development

Python coding and best practices

Project management

Statistical analysis

Collaboration with cross-functional teams

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent

Tools

PyTorch

TensorFlow

Hugging Face Transformers

Job description

About this role

Our Data Science team focuses on the development of Machine Learning and Deep Learning solutions, to solve business problems and deliver actionable insights. We are a talented, collaborative and enthusiastic group, who use our expertise to derive insights from complex data, working in close collaboration with our business partners.

This role will primarily focus on leading the development of proprietary deep learning models to address critical business challenges in underwriting. The role will also involve supporting our business partners as they develop advanced servicing products using Large Language Models.

What you’ll do

• Lead the development of new deep learning approaches to advance our current underwriting models, which form the heart of our lending business. Apply these to new types of (multi-modal) data in order to stay at the forefront of innovation.
• Prioritise and own the roadmap for this work. Balancing R&D with in-market results, you will drive ideas from prototypes through to production.
• Provide consultancy to our tech and product partners, to help design, develop and launch products powered by Large Language Models (LLMs). This collaboration will help provide seamless experiences for our customers and associates.
• Use a combination of business acumen, coding and statistical skills to navigate large amounts of data and extract actionable solutions.
• Work cross-functionally on projects that support key business initiatives and drive sustainable growth.

What we’re looking for

• Strong experience developing and deploying deep learning models, particularly for sequential data (e.g. time series, language) using techniques such as LSTMs or transformers.
• A proven track record leading model development, including setting the technical direction, project management, stakeholder comms, and mentoring junior members of the team.
• Experience producing and managing reliable and maintainable code in Python in a team setting, including code reviews and setting software engineering best practices.
• Hands‑on experience with modern Machine/Deep Learning frameworks such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, or Hugging Face Transformers.
• Familiarity with both pre‑training and fine‑tuning of large‑scale models.
• Experience working with structured and unstructured data, such as text, logs, or time series and tokenisation techniques.
• A strong understanding of probability, statistics, machine learning and familiarity with large data set manipulation.
• A drive for continued learning through an internal and external focus, and an ability to prototype new techniques to assess value.

Where and how you’ll work

This is a permanent position based in our Nottingham or London office.

We have a hybrid working model, so you’ll be based in our office 3 days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and can work from home on Monday and Friday.

Many of our associates have flexible working arrangements, and we’re open to talking about an arrangement that works for you.

What’s in it for you

• Bring us all this - and you’ll be well rewarded with a role contributing to the roadmap of an organisation committed to transformation.
• We offer high performers strong and diverse career progression, investing heavily in developing great people through our Capital One University training programmes (and appropriate external providers).
• Immediate access to our core benefits including pension scheme, bonus, generous holiday entitlement and private medical insurance – with flexible benefits available including season‑ticket loans, cycle to work scheme and enhanced parental leave.
• Open‑plan workspaces and accessible facilities designed to inspire and support you. Our Nottingham head‑office has a fully‑serviced gym, subsidised restaurant, mindfulness and music rooms. In London, you can heighten your mood with a run on our rooftop running track or an espresso at the Workshop Coffee café.

What you should know about how we recruit

We pride ourselves on hiring the best people, not the same people. Building diverse and inclusive teams is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. We want to work with top talent: whoever you are, whatever you look like, wherever you come from. We know it’s about what you do, not just what you say. That’s why we make our recruitment process fair and accessible. And we offer benefits that attract people at all ages and stages.

We also partner with organisations including the Women in Finance and Race At Work Charters, Stonewall and upReach to find people from every walk of life and help them thrive with us. We have a whole host of internal networks and support groups you could be involved in, to name a few:

• REACH – Race Equality and Culture Heritage group focuses on representation, retention and engagement for associates from minority ethnic groups and allies.
• OutFront – to provide LGBTQ+ support for all associates.
• Mind Your Mind – signposting support and promoting positive mental wellbeing for all.
• Women in Tech – promoting an inclusive environment in tech.
• EmpowHER – network of female associates and allies focusing on developing future leaders, particularly for female talent in our industry.

Capital One is committed to diversity in the workplace.

If you require a reasonable adjustment, please contact [e-mail]. All information will be kept confidential and will only be used for the purpose of applying a reasonable adjustment.

For technical support or questions about Capital One's recruiting process, please send an email to [e-mail].

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Capital One Financial is made up of several different entities. Please note that any position posted in Canada is for Capital One Canada, any position posted in the United Kingdom is for Capital One Europe and any position posted in the Philippines is for Capital One Philippines Service Corp. (COPSSC).