Senior Data Scientist
Role Title: Senior Data Scientist in SPAI (2x positions available)
Join our Strategic Planning, Economics and Experience Branch at Ministry of Health for an exciting ongoing employment opportunity and be part of the team enriching health in millions of ways every day.
About us
We offer robust development and growth support to all our employees, ensuring you have the resources and opportunities to thrive in your career.
- Our core values of collaboration, openness, respect, and empowerment are more than just words – they're the guiding principles that shape every aspect of our work.
- Embrace a healthy work-life balance with our flexible/hybrid working hours.
To learn more about the Ministry and what benefits we offer, access our Employee Benefits Handbook.
About this role
With your skills and experience, you can contribute to the millions of ways we’re enhancing health and wellness while developing your career as part of the largest health organisation in Australia.
This role will provide you with an exciting opportunity to join the Service Planning Analytics and Insights team where you can influence key areas of planning for the NSW Health system.
We are seeking two high-performing individuals to join the Service Planning Analytics and Insights unit. We are a team who collaborate with Local Health Districts, Specialty Health Networks, other Ministry of Health teams and NSW Health entities in relation to statewide service planning, to support the achievement of NSW Health’s service planning and reform objectives. As a Senior Data Scientist, you will be able to enhance your skills in data science through using a range of statistical analysis methods, tools and techniques to understand and simulate patterns of health care utilisation and project future health service needs.
Qualifications in Data Science/Data Analytics, Actuarial Mathematics and Statistics along with previous experience in health data, linked data sets and population health data and analysis would be considered advantageous for this role.
Crown Clerk 9/10, starting salary from $129,464 - $142,665 plus Super and annual leave loading, with a 35-hour work week, work location- 1 Reserve Road, St Leonards
For more information, please read the full role description.
What you'll be doing
- Responsible for autonomously completing advanced data analysis to support systemwide planning initiatives and projection patterns of healthcare utilisation.
- Responsible for evaluating and selecting appropriate modelling techniques (e.g. for emerging DSM requirements), fitting parameters and reviewing output autonomously, communicating findings effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate an ability to promote and trial new methods within the DSM and other modelling and analytics, and identify project opportunities related to process improvement, using new and emerging data science and data engineering techniques.
- Demonstrate a flexible response to requests for data and information, often at short notice, against a background of high work volumes and demands for accurate, expert responses to complex issues, requiring the integration of diverse sources of information and strong written, verbal communication, interpersonal and consultation skills.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with managers in other areas of the Ministry as well as data scientists, data analysts, health planners and health researchers in Local Health Districts involved in planning, monitoring and evaluating health services and health system innovation.
About you
We are seeking motivated and committed individuals who can support the work of NSW Health with:
- Relevant tertiary qualifications and / or relevant experience in Data Science, Data Analytics, Actuarial, Mathematics, and Statistics. Demonstrated intellectual curiosity and openness to explore new analytics techniques and data engineering principles and tools is essential.
- Demonstrated experience with a range of analytics methodologies including predictive modelling, ideally with Generalised Linear Models (GLMs), discriminant analysis, time-series forecasting or other relevant statistical or computational methods, demonstrating proficiency in R and other relevant programming applications.
- Extensive experience conducting and interpreting statistical analyses of population-based health administrative or other health related data, including linked datasets, using a range of analytic tools and methodologies, including temporal and sub-group adjusted and/or linked data analyses, to understand and simulate patterns of healthcare utilisation.
- Strong collaborative and relationship-building skills, effectively working in dynamic, multidisciplinary environments with clinicians, managers, staff, and external stakeholders.
- Consistently demonstrates behaviours that reinforce the CORE Values of our organisation; Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment.
How to apply
At The Ministry of Health, we want you to make the most of the opportunities you’ll get to grow your skills and your career, surrounded by authentic, smart people and leaders.
Please review the role description and submit your up-to-date resume (up to 5 pages) and cover letter (1-2 pages) AND demonstrate your ability by attaching a response to the two target questions below.
Use the link below to access our Capability Application tool, designed to help you excel in the recruitment process. Practice your responses with the example questions provided to effectively highlight your achievements and the strategies you used to accomplish them.
Capability application tool | NSW Public Service Commission
Target Questions (1-2 pages)
Question 1:
Describe a project you have been responsible for that included complex data analysis methods using multiple data sets. What were the critical data preparation steps you undertook? How did the analysis inform the data modelling assumptions?
Question 2:
Describe your approach to ensuring that the modelling outputs you produce are relevant, reproducible and reflect modern methods.
For role related queries or questions contact Helen Rava - Director the Service Planning Analytics and Insights - helen.rava@health.nsw.gov.au and quote REQ648162.
If you do require any adjustments to the recruitment process during the recruitment process, please contact Khloe Yang on Shuo.Yang@health.nsw.gov.au.
Closing Date: Sunday 26 April 2026 11:59PM
Our commitment to diversity and inclusion
At the Ministry of Health, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and flexible environment which reflects the community and customers we serve. We actively promote the employment of women, people with a disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTIQ+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and would like assistance with your application or to obtain more information on how to apply, please visit The Stepping Up Initiative.
To be eligible for employment in these roles you must be an Australian citizen, or a permanent resident, or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work in Australia.
Additional information
- This recruitment may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar future roles (ongoing or temporary) that may arise over the next 18 months.
- This is a temporary role and there may be opportunities for ongoing employment at grade.
- For more information on applying visit the Ministry of Health Career portal
- Please note the selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.
Don't miss your chance to embark on this fulfilling journey! Apply now!
Applications Close: Sunday 26 April 2026 11:59PM
