Leah C. R. Hunter

Talent Scientist

Bridging psychology and data to help organisations understand and hire people well.

leahhunter088@gmail.com 07496 156947 Essex, UK LinkedIn
First-Class Honours degrees (MSc & BSc)
10 Interviews conducted per week
12 Hiring leads managed across multiple departments
MENSA Member since age 11
International Research presented at a conference in Egypt

Personal statement

As a Talent Scientist at Canonical, I manage a team of 12 hiring leads and apply evidence-based and data-driven methods to how we select our people. From SQL to JavaScript to applying behavioural science, real data backs up my decision making and processes. My background in Occupational and Organisational Psychology (MSc, University of Surrey) underpins this work, giving me a grounded understanding of what actually drives good hiring decisions. Being a member of MENSA since age 11, I bring strong problem-solving instincts, adaptability, and a genuine curiosity about what makes people and processes work well.

What I bring

Data & analysis

Rapid learner with a strong mathematics background. Proficient in SPSS, Excel, SQL, and Python, with hands-on experience in regression, t-tests, factor analysis, and psychometric scale development.

Presentation & communication

Experienced presenter, including at an international conference in Egypt to an audience of around 30. Comfortable communicating complex ideas to both technical and general audiences.

Team working

Years of collaborative experience through societies and group projects. Practised in active listening, respecting diverse viewpoints, and resolving conflict, while keeping outcomes and people both on track.

Organisation

Builds detailed, time-boxed to-do lists and schedules work well ahead of deadlines. Proactive about spotting issues early, keeping projects on track without last-minute surprises.

Experience

Talent ScientistCanonical
  • Manage a team of 12 hiring leads, coordinating and overseeing hiring across multiple departments.
  • Conduct around 10 interviews per week.
  • Apply behavioural interview techniques and psychometric assessment to support evidence-based hiring across a fully distributed, global organisation.
  • Use SQL and Python to analyse people data and surface insights that inform hiring strategy and process improvements.
  • Partner with senior stakeholders to keep hiring targets on track and design solutions to complex selection challenges.
  • Contribute to documentation and process efficiencies supporting Canonical's talent acquisition pipeline.
  • Support ticket-based queries across hiring systems, building deep operational knowledge of Canonical's talent platforms.
SEND TutorDegreeSix
  • Mentored high-risk and neurodivergent individuals, developing crisis management, proactive decision-making, and adaptability skills.
  • Balanced responsibilities with academic commitments through strong organisation and attention to detail.
Research AssistantCoventry University
  • Invited to assist on a doctoral research project, running high-complexity experiments and coordinating participants.
  • Gained advanced data entry experience and strengthened technical, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Mathematics TeacherBrentwood School
  • Assisted with after-school maths tutoring, fostering a positive learning environment.
  • Developed communication skills, explaining complex ideas clearly and effectively.

Education

MSc (Hons) Occupational and Organisational Psychology — First Class
University of Surrey · Sept 2024 – Sept 2025
BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology — First Class
Coventry University · Sept 2021 – Jul 2024

Skills

Data & analysis

  • SQL & JavaScript — core tools for analysing people data and driving hiring insights at Canonical
  • dbt — data transformation and modelling
  • Superset — data exploration and dashboarding
  • Dashboarding — building reporting views for hiring metrics
  • Google Apps Script — automating recurring reporting tasks
  • Greenhouse — applicant tracking and hiring workflow management
  • VS Code
  • Regression, t-tests, factor analysis
  • Excel — charts, formatting, conditional logic
  • R — ongoing independent certification
  • SPSS — core and advanced statistical techniques, including psychometric scale development

Microsoft & tools

  • Excel — charts, graphs, cell and conditional formatting
  • PowerPoint & Word — presentations, leaflets, posters
  • Graphics creation and picture editing
  • Thomas psychometrics — psychometric assessment platform

Interpersonal

  • Emotional intelligence — reading individual and group dynamics to build trust with candidates and hiring leads
  • Adaptability — moving fluidly between tutoring, research, and fast-paced hiring environments
  • Persuasion — influencing stakeholder decisions and aligning teams around evidence-based hiring practices
  • Stakeholder management — partnering closely with senior leaders to keep hiring targets on track
  • Active listening & conflict resolution — built through years of collaborative team and group work

Other certifications

  • Adobe Certified Professional in Graphic Design & Illustration Using Adobe Illustrator

Get in touch

Happy to talk about talent science, psychology in the workplace, or anything data and hiring related.