Data Scientist

How would you draw the energy system of today, if you started with a blank sheet of paper? One that advances humanity and protects the environment, powered by technology?
In 2021, Octopus Energy founded Octopus Energy’s Centre for Net Zero. We are an impact-driven research lab working at the intersection of tech, energy and climate researching how we can deliver a faster, fairer and more affordable energy transition. We are an autonomous team that sets our own research agenda. Whilst we work closely with Octopus Energy, we are a separate organisation that is part of the Octopus Energy group of companies.
As an innovative and high growth global company, Octopus Energy has access to millions of progressive energy customers with billions of corresponding datapoints. This gives us unprecedented insight into the energy behaviours of tomorrow, today. We believe that through transparent research, opening up data and building tools in a tech-first way, we can work together to co-design the future energy system.
Our work this year will initially focus on extending our knowledge in consumer understanding, focusing on the behaviour of these consumers and how they use low-carbon technologies through a series of research projects. As we deepen our knowledge, we will be cognizant of ways we can build tools and data products to support energy researchers, innovators and policymakers around the world.  Later this year, we will be engaging in longer-form research projects with influential organisations that expand on our existing collaborations with The Turing Institute and Cramton Associates. 
Our ideal data scientist would be an individual who enjoys data storytelling - someone who loves exploring complex problems and using modelling and visualisations to derive meaning and insight from data in a collaborative, community-based environment. They are comfortable operating in a start-up environment (we operate a highly agile development approach) working collaboratively with others. Energy experience is beneficial, but not necessary.

What you'll do

• Collaborate regularly with colleagues to set research hypotheses and priorities
• Derive valuable insights and trends from large volumes of data, including time series smart meter data and customer low-carbon technology ownership
• Produce engaging graphs and visualisations that support a compelling data-driven narrative
• Disseminate insights and findings through reports / blogs externally, and through communications internally
• Help define data science best practices and work with colleagues to share information, grow skills and provide feedback
• Work with academic collaborators to lead and contribute to longer form, joint research projects

What you'll need

• Experience with the key components of the conventional “PyData” data science stack: Python, notebooks, pandas
• Experience with visualisation tools (either in Python - e.g matplotlib//plotly/altair - or non-Python) with a real enjoyment for creating compelling graphs to support your analysis and highlight key insights
• Experience with SQL
• Experience working with time-series data beneficial
• Comfortable getting to grips with cloud based datastores, databases and processing tools, particularly AWS and/or GCP.
• Experience deriving insights from data in a curious, observation-driven manner
• An interest in data storytelling, with a desire to explain and craft a clear narrative from findings whilst being able to see “the bigger picture”
• A drive to get things done, and a pragmatic approach that prioritises “good enough” over perfect
• A track record of working in an iterative way, in a collaborative, agile development environment
• Excellent analytical skills, and the ability to simplify complex problems and distill them into clear outputs.

It would be great if you also had

• DBT experience, or knowledge of data warehouse structures
• Familiarity with machine learning techniques, including time series
• A bias for participating in the wider data science community; tech blogs, meetups etc

Why else you'll love it here

• Octopus Energy is a unique culture. An organisation where people learn, decide, and build quicker. Where people work with autonomy, alongside a wide range of amazing co-owners, on projects that break new ground. We want your hard work to be rewarded with perks you actually care about!
• What do you get? Click here

Note: this description gives a feel for the role, however if you’re missing something here but think you’d fit, we’d love to hear from you.
Closing date is Monday 31st Jan at 12:00 UK time, however applications may close early in the event of high interest.
If you are interested in the Centre for Net Zero please send us over your details along with a bit about you and why you're interested.
At Octopus, we're looking for genuinely decent people who are honest and empathetic. Our commitment is to provide equal opportunities, a diverse and inclusive work environment, and fairness for everyone. You are welcome to apply no matter your race, gender identity, sexuality, age, family or civil status, disability, religion, or ethnicity.