A post by Sherman Khoo, PhD student on the Compass programme.

Introduction

On 6 June 2025, the Compass CDT, in collaboration with the Jean Golding Institute, hosted ‘Careers in Data Science’ – an engaging Data Science@Work seminar as part of Bristol Data Week 2025. The event, held in the University of Bristol’s Merchant Venturers Building, offered participants valuable insights into the realities of a career in this important field.

Moderated by Professor Daniel Lawson, Compass Co-Director, and Helen Mawdsley, Industrial Partnerships Manager for Compass and the School of Mathematics, the event featured a panel of diverse data professionals – pictured from left to right below, as follows:

• • Elahe Naserian, Senior Data Scientist, Trilateral Research
  • Danny Williams, Machine Learning Engineer, Weaviate
  • Sarah Taylor Knight, Data Science Manager, Allianz Personal
  • Tom O’Connor, Lead Data Scientist, Ministry of Justice

 

Panel Discussion

Elahe Naserian, a Senior Data Scientist, holds a Masters and a PhD in Computer Science, awarded by the University of Tehran and the University of the West of Scotland respectively.

She shared her interdisciplinary career path, through Postdoctoral Researcher and Research Fellow positions at the University of Exeter – where she applied data science and AI solutions to psychology and identity related challenges – culminating in her role at Trilateral Research, an organisation developing ethical AI solutions and addressing complex societal issues.

Elahe also highlighted key differences between novelty-focused, often unstructured, research environments in academia and the pragmatic, outcome-driven demands of industry.

Tom O’Connor, a Lead Data Scientist at the Ministry of Justice, graduated from Cardiff University with a BSc in Physics and an MSc in Data Science & Analytics – successfully moving between the two disciplines.

He discussed his experience of navigating roles in both the public and private sectors, and of transitioning from an individual contributor to a leadership role. Tom emphasised the importance of focusing on outcomes, rather than overly complex processes, and the challenge of translating technical methods into practical business applications.

Sarah Taylor-Knight, a Data Science Manager and University of Bristol alumna, graduating with an BEng in Engineering Mathematics. She provided valuable insights into managing a data science team at one of the largest general insurers in the UK, highlighting the enduring importance of fundamental skills, noting that maintaining and strengthening these core competencies is crucial at every stage of a data science career.

Her successful journey from internship and graduate roles, to senior data science positions at Allianz Personal, demonstrated the value of these opportunities.

Danny Williams is a Compass CDT alumnus, having been awarded his PhD last year, and now works as Machine Learning Engineer at the AI-focused start-up Weaviate, which has developed an open source vector database. He recounted his journey from theoretical academic research to a practical, applied industry role.

Danny encouraged the students in attendance to remain flexible and open to diverse opportunities in industry, rather than being constrained by academic expectations. Through discussing the way his current role involves coding projects, but also disseminating the latest AI developments, and getting involved in social media, he highlighted the diverse, and sometimes unexpected, opportunities that data science roles can present.

Panel Q&A

Following the panel discussion, the audience participated in an interactive Q&A session, which surfaced several recurring themes. A notable discussion centered on the contrasting nature of academia and industry, with a participant memorably likening the former to the passion-driven life of a musician, highlighting the dedication and artistry often found in academic research.

The panelists also underscored the importance of soft skills in industry roles, noting that collaboration, stakeholder management and communication becomes increasingly critical in the larger, diverse teams that can be typical of industry settings.

Another key theme addressed the relevance of a PhD for industry careers (especially important for potential PhD aspirants)! There was general agreement that, while specific PhD research may sometimes not directly transfer to industry applications, the skills developed – such as problem-solving, independent research and critical thinking – are often invaluable.

Overall, the event provided a comprehensive and insightful overview of data science careers, highlighting the diverse pathways and key considerations for aspiring data professionals navigating their journeys across both academia and industry.