Senior Data Scientist (Semantic Search)

We know life looks a little different for each of us. That’s why at Tesco, we always welcome chats about flexible working. Some people are at the start of their careers, some want the freedom to do the things they love. Others are going through life-changing moments like becoming a carer, nearing retirement, adapting to parenthood, or something else. So, talk to us throughout your application about how we can support.

At Tesco Technology, we have an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Senior Data Scientist with Semantic Search expertise! 

Join our team and take the lead in redesigning our customers engagement on our groceries website. By applying sophisticated technologies like semantic search and transformer models, and playing a pivotal role in improving the search functionality for millions of customers across multiple countries. This position allows someone to quickly make a meaningful impact and contribute to the seamless operation of our supply chain, transport, and delivery operations.

About the Team 

Join our world-class team of data professionals who are passionate about solving sophisticated business problems and deploying data products at scale. Our team works across various areas of our business, personalising our customers' experience across all touchpoints, both online and in-store. We are committed to personal and career development, providing on-desk training, support, and dedicating 10% of your working week to learning and professional growth. Additionally, there are opportunities to attend and speak at external and internal events, encouraging individuals growth as experts in the field. Our team values work-life balance, team days, and cultivates a relaxed yet engaging culture. 

This role can be based out of either our London (Farringdon) office or Welwyn Garden City office, offering the flexibility of hybrid working. Spend three days a week in the office and the remainder working from home.

As a Senior Data Scientist, you will influence the search experience on the Tesco website by utilising advanced technologies and collaborating with a team of seasoned Data Scientists, Machine Learning Engineers, and Software Engineers. Where you will drive innovation and take ownership of projects. 

You will be responsible for: 

• Applying, modifying, and designing algorithms and models for information retrieval and re-ranking 

• Advising on the systems architecture, Machine Learning components, and associated technologies 

• Using data to train and fine-tune models 

• Developing efficient and high-quality code in Software Engineering 

• Collaborating closely with Search Engineers, ML Engineers, and Data Scientists 

• Promoting data science internally and effectively communicating sophisticated solutions to non-technical colleagues 

To excel in this role, we are seeking high-reaching individuals with a strong blend of Machine Learning and Software Engineering skills. The following requirements are important: 

• Previously worked as a Data Scientist or Senior Data Scientist working on Semantic Search projects

• Experience with Semantic Search approaches and Vector Databases combined with experience of working with Search Engine frameworks, preferably Elasticsearch 

• Strong coding skills, preferably in Python and a solid grasp of effective methods in Engineering, including version control, development driven by testing, and Continuous Integration 

• Extensive knowledge and hands-on expertise with Deep Learning approaches, including modern language models based on transformer architecture 

• PhD or Masters’ Degree in a relevant field such as Mathematics, Engineering or Computer Science 

Join our Technology team and be part of a world-class team that is crafting the future of retail technology! Apply now to seize this ambitious opportunity. 

We’re all about the little helps. That’s why we give our wonderful colleagues bags of benefits. Including wellbeing services, an award-winning pension scheme and much, much more, our colleague reward package keeps on giving. And helps make every day a little better for you and your family. These include but are not limited to:

• Annual bonus scheme of up to 20% of base salary
• Holiday starting at 25 days plus a personal day (plus Bank holidays)
• Buy holiday salary sacrifice scheme (for salaried roles)
• Private medical insurance
• Retirement savings plan - save between 4% and 7.5% and Tesco will match your contribution
• Life Assurance - 5 x contractual pay
• 26 weeks maternity and adoption leave (after 1 years’ service) at full pay, followed by 13 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay, we also offer 4 weeks fully paid paternity leave
• The right to request flexible working from your first day with us
• Free 24/7 virtual GP service, Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for you and your family, free access to a range of experts to support your mental wellbeing
• A Colleague Clubcard for you & a family member (after 3 months of service), giving you access to lots of discounts in-store & online
• Great colleague deals and discounts, saving you money on everyday purchases, eating out and utility bills for the home
• Access to our colleague networks providing a space for colleagues to come together from a range of backgrounds. For more information about our colleague networks please click here
• Opportunities to get on - take advantage of our ongoing learning opportunities and award-winning training, to help you achieve the job and career you want

Click Here to read more about the full range of benefits we have available for our colleagues

Our vision at Tesco is to become every customer's favourite way to shop, whether they are at home or out on the move. Our core purpose is ‘Serving our customers, communities and planet a little better every day’. Serving means more than a transactional relationship with our customers. It means acting as a responsible and sustainable business for all stakeholders, for the communities we are part of and for the planet.

We are proud to have an inclusive culture at Tesco where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. At Tesco, we not only celebrate diversity, but recognise the value and opportunity it brings. We're committed to creating a workplace where differences are valued, and make sure that all colleagues are given the same opportunities. We’re proud to have been accredited Disability Confident Leader and we’re committed to providing a fully inclusive and accessible recruitment process. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer, please click here.

We’re a big business and we can offer a range of diverse full-time & part-time working patterns across our many business areas, which means that we can find something that works for you.  We work in a more blended pattern -combining office and remote working.  Our offices will continue to be where we connect, collaborate and innovate.