Remote Sports Data Scientist

Placements24; Gauteng; Hybrid; ZAR 1,990,000 - 2,985,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Fully remote work

Flexible hours

Health insurance

Paid time off

Professional development budget

Equipment provided

Stock options may be available

Global team

Collaborative culture

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a highly skilled Remote Sports Data Scientist to join a global sports analytics team. You will build models from athlete performance data, game stats, and fan engagement to inform decisions and strategies.

The role emphasizes collaboration with engineers, PMs, and domain experts in a fully remote, globally connected environment. The ideal candidate brings 5+ years in data science, strong ML and statistics expertise, and hands-on experience with Python or R and big data

Qualifications

• Master's or PhD in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a focus on statistical modeling and machine learning.
• Strong proficiency in Python or R, and libraries such as scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas, NumPy.
• Experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop) and SQL databases.
• Solid understanding of statistics, experimental design, and hypothesis testing.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced statistical models and ML algorithms for sports data.
• Extract, clean, and transform large, complex datasets from various sources.
• Develop predictive models for player performance, game outcomes, injury risk, and fan behavior.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to integrate analytics into products and platforms.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders via visualizations and reports.
• Stay current with research in data science, ML, and sports analytics.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to knowledge sharing.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and ethical use throughout analysis.

Skills

Python

R

Machine Learning

Statistical Modeling

Big Data

SQL

Data Visualization

Cloud Platforms

Education

Master's degree

PhD

Tools

Spark

Hadoop

AWS

Azure

GCP

SQL

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a global leader in sports analytics and performance technology, is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Remote Sports Data Scientist to join their innovative team. This fully remote position allows you to leverage your expertise in data analysis, machine learning, and statistical modeling to drive groundbreaking insights within the sports domain, from anywhere in the world. You will work with vast datasets derived from athlete performance, game statistics, fan engagement, and operational metrics to develop predictive models, optimize strategies, and uncover hidden patterns that enhance athletic performance and business operations. The ideal candidate possesses a strong quantitative background, advanced programming skills, and a deep passion for sports. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers, product managers, and domain experts, to translate complex data into actionable recommendations. This role offers an unparalleled opportunity to influence the future of sports through data, working on challenging projects with a flexible, remote-first approach. We are committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation, providing the tools and support needed for you to excel in this exciting, globally connected role. Your contributions will directly impact how sports are understood, played, and managed worldwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement advanced statistical models and machine learning algorithms to analyze sports data.
• Extract, clean, and transform large, complex datasets from various sources.
• Develop predictive models for player performance, game outcomes, injury risk, and fan behavior.
• Collaborate with product managers and engineers to integrate analytical solutions into products and platforms.
• Communicate complex findings and insights clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical stakeholders through visualizations and reports.
• Identify new opportunities for data-driven improvements and strategic decision-making within the sports industry.
• Stay current with the latest research and advancements in data science, machine learning, and sports analytics.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to the team's knowledge sharing initiatives.
• Ensure data quality, integrity, and ethical use throughout the analytical process.
• Contribute to the development of data infrastructure and analytical tools.

Requirements

• A Master's or PhD degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a focus on statistical modeling and machine learning.
• Strong proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, pandas, NumPy).
• Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Spark, Hadoop) and SQL databases.
• Solid understanding of statistical concepts, experimental design, and hypothesis testing.
• Proven ability to build and deploy machine learning models in production environments.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team environment.
• A demonstrable passion for sports and an understanding of sports data is highly desirable.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) is a plus.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
• Fully remote work arrangement with flexible hours.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
• Generous paid time off and company holidays.
• Professional development budget for courses, conferences, and certifications.
• Opportunity to work on cutting-edge sports technology and impact the industry globally.
• Company-provided equipment (laptop, monitor, etc.).
• Stock options or equity grants may be available.
• A collaborative and innovative virtual work culture.