Downing Street to hire data scientists, project managers - and (even more) weirdos

Prime Minister's chief special advisor calls for flood of new talent as rumours of major Civil Service reforms circulate

The Prime Minister's chief special advisor, Dominic Cummings, has called for an influx of new computing talent into 10 Downing Street - including data scientists with an understanding of artificial intelligence, who can help to improve policy and project management "around themes like Brexit".

Cummings wrote in his personal blog: "We want to hire an unusual set of people with different skills and backgrounds to work in Downing Street with the best officials, some as spads [special advisors] and perhaps some as officials."

I'll bin you within weeks if you don't fit - don't complain later because I made it clear now

In addition to a list that includes data scientists, computer scientists, mathematicians, physicists, software developers, policy experts and project managers, Cummings also called on "weirdos and misfits with odd skills" to apply.

"We want to improve performance and make me much less important - and within a year largely redundant. At the moment I have to make decisions well outside what [Warren Buffet's business partner] Charlie Munger calls my ‘circle of competence' and we do not have the sort of expertise supporting the PM and ministers that is needed. This must change fast so we can properly serve the public," Cummings continued.

"You must have exceptional academic qualifications from one of the world's best universities or have done something that demonstrates equivalent (or greater) talents and skills. You do not need a PhD… we are also interested in graduate students as ‘world-class researchers who don't have PhDs yet'," he continued.

We will be using machine learning and associated tools so it is important you can program. You do not need software development levels of programming, but it would be an advantage

Weird or not, candidates nevertheless ought to have "outstanding mathematical skills", "experience of using analytical languages", such as Python, SQL or R, and "familiarity with data tools and technologies, such as Postgres, Scikit Learn and NEO4J".

The idea, he wrote, is that applicants should be able to use various forecasting, analytic and modelling tools to apply hard data to practical policy challenges - and be able to communicate that to a non-technical audience, such as civil servants.

"We will be using machine learning and associated tools so it is important you can program. You do not need software development levels of programming, but it would be an advantage. Those applying must watch Bret Victor's talks and study Dynamic Land. If this excites you, then apply; if not, then don't."

We want to improve performance and make me much less important - and within a year largely redundant

However, the misfits Cummings has in mind should be "super talented… wild cards, artists, people who never went to university… weirdos from William Gibson novels..." in a bid to achieve what Cummings called ‘true cognitive diversity'. "What SW1 needs is not more drivel about ‘identity' and ‘diversity' from Oxbridge humanities graduates but more genuine cognitive diversity."

The call comes at the same time as rumours of a planned overhaul of the Civil Service - driven by Cummings - gathers pace.

Cummings also called for applicants for the new roles to commit to at least two years, and not expect to hang around for long if they don't prove to be as good as their CV and covering letter might have indicated. "I'll bin you within weeks if you don't fit - don't complain later because I made it clear now," warned Cummings.