Data Science & AI Graduate Scheme (Manchester)

Prior to submitting your application, please visit our early careers website to find out more about the schemes we offer and the recruitment journey:

Our graduate schemes may close early if we receive a high number of applications, so it’s best to apply as soon as you can.

If you have any questions, please do contact the team at View email address on graduateships.com

Job Description

Your AI era starts now

At Lloyds Banking Group, data isn’t just something we store in the cloud. It’s the juice that keeps ideas flowing, decisions sharper, and progress unstoppable.

Our Chief Data & Analytics Office has one mission: weave data, analytics and AI into every decision we make. The goal? Simple. Every choice, everywhere, driven by data.

As a Data Science & AI Graduate, you won’t be on the sidelines watching the algorithms run the show. You’ll be training models, crafting algorithms, deploying scalable solutions, and showing exactly what AI can do in the real world. Whether you’re optimising performance, unlocking insight or making predictions, everything you do will be rooted in data literacy, ethics and genuine business impact.

Two years. Two game-changing rotations

This two-year programme blends office and home working. Across two year-long placements, you’ll see how we use data and AI to crack big-ticket challenges. From detecting fraud and managing credit risk to decoding customer behaviour and building smarter banking tools.

You could become:

• A Data & AI Scientist uncovering insights, making predictions and solving complex problems with machine learning techniques. Always with an ethical and accurate lens.
• A Machine Learning & AI Engineer designing and deploying robust ML systems that bring data science to life through automation, CI/CD, and modern cloud engineering practices.
• Wherever you land, you’ll be working with some of the biggest datasets in the UK – using everything from Spark and statistical methods to domain knowledge and emerging GenAI applications.

The work you could be doing

• Cloud-native AI engineering and large-scale data platforms, leveraging Google Cloud technologies and modern coding practices to design, build and deploy intelligent solutions, helping the Bank innovate rapidly and deliver value at scale.
• Advanced analytics, statistical learning and decision intelligence, applying quantitative techniques to uncover patterns, generate insights and optimise outcomes, enabling more informed decisions for both the business and its customers.
• Machine Learning, predictive modelling and applied AI, developing, evaluating and operationalising models using state-of-the-art libraries and frameworks such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch and XGBoost, helping tackle complex challenges including in areas like fraud prevention, credit risk management and customer personalisation.
• Generative AI, Large Language Models and autonomous agent systems, building next-generation AI applications using foundation models, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) architectures and agent frameworks such as Google ADK and LangChain, helping transform how the Bank serves customers and empowers colleagues.
• Data engineering, MLOps and intelligent automation, creating resilient data pipelines, scalable deployment architectures and automated machine learning workflows using contemporary engineering and CI/CD practices, enabling AI solutions to operate reliably across the enterprise.
• AI assurance, evaluation science and model governance, designing rigorous testing, monitoring and validation frameworks for machine learning models and agentic systems, ensuring AI solutions remain robust, trustworthy and aligned to the Bank’s strategic objectives.
• Responsible AI, explainability and algorithmic governance, applying principles of fairness, transparency, interpretability and risk management throughout the AI lifecycle, helping maintain customer trust while delivering innovative AI capabilities.

Your skills toolkit

You’ll master:

• Python & SQL
• Cloud platforms like GCP
• Data Analysis
• Machine learning techniques, both theory and application
• Generative and Agentic AI
• AI Solution design and evaluation techniques
• CI/CD and DevOps

…all delivered through a commercial lens

Your multi-week AI power-up

We start with a blended learning bootcamp. Your fast track from fundamental concepts to advanced technologies and AI skills (and your chance to learn a few tricks even the bots don’t know yet).

You’ll cover:

• Foundations of machine learning
• AI literacy
• Ensemble methods & model optimisation
• Databases & big data
• Neural networks & deep learning
• LLM foundations, engineering, customisation and integration
• Generative and Agentic AI
• MLOps & cloud computing

It’s all live lectures, tutor-led group work and real-world challenges from day one.

Learn it. Apply it. Keep going

Your personal learning plan could include:

• Up to three Stanford Artificial Intelligence Professional Programmes
• Google Cloud certifications
• Coursera courses on everything from advanced ML to AI ethics and explainability

And because your career is more than your day job, you’ll get stuck into side-of-the-desk projects to build your network, test fresh ideas and put your creativity to work.

The team in your corner

• A dedicated mentor
• A close-knit community of data professional who speak fluent Python… and coffee, naturally

Your future. Fully funded

You’ll earn a good salary while mastering the skills shaping the future of tech and finance. Training? Bootcamp? Certifications? All on us.

By the end, you’ll have the technical confidence, strategic mindset and industry know-how to take your career wherever you want – from deep technical roles to AI strategy leadership… or even inventing the next big thing that no-one has thought of yet.

Requirements

What you need to apply

• While we do not require a set minimum degree achievement, we strongly recommend the ability to be able to demonstrate sound knowledge, understanding and technical skills aligned to the role. Some aspects of this will be assessed through the application process.
• We encourage all students to apply, from newly graduated through to MSc/PhD. Note: we cannot sponsor visas.
• Knowledge of analytical techniques and experience in manipulating and deriving insight from data. Python coding experience, knowledge of SQL and the ability to use statistical modelling techniques as this will form a part of the assessments.

Locations

Bristol, Edinburgh, Halifax, Leeds, London, Manchester. You will be expected to work in your allocated office a minimum of two days a week as part of our hybrid working policy.

Opening and Closing Date

Applications for our Data Science & AI Graduate Scheme opens on Thursday 10th September.

Apply soon as our programmes may close early if we receive a high number of applications.

How to Apply

Our application process is designed to help you shine. We want everyone to feel they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity, or culture.

Find details, including stages and tips for success, on our how to apply page.

At Lloyds Banking Group, we’re driven by a clear purpose; to help Britain prosper . Across the Group, our colleagues are focused on making a difference to customers, businesses and communities. With us you’ll have a key role to play in shaping the financial services of the future, whilst the scale and reach of our Group means you’ll have many opportunities to learn, grow and develop.

We keep your data safe. So, we’ll only ever ask you to provide confidential or sensitive information once you have formally been invited along to an interview or accepted a verbal offer to join us which is when we run our background checks. We’ll always explain what we need and why, with any request coming from a trusted Lloyds Banking Group person.

We’re focused on creating a values-led culture and are committed to building a workforce which reflects the diversity of the customers and communities we serve. Together we’re building a truly inclusive workplace where all of our colleagues have the opportunity to make a real difference.