Remote Sports Data Scientist

Placements24; Pretoria; Hybrid; ZAR 1,496,000 - 2,161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Performance incentives

Professional development budget

Access to advanced computing resources

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Remote Sports Data Scientist to join our globally distributed team. You will design advanced statistical models and ML algorithms to extract insights from sports data and develop predictive tools for athlete performance and fan engagement.

Work fully remotely with a strong emphasis on collaboration across disciplines. You will build data pipelines, run experiments, and present actionable recommendations to leadership, leveraging cutting-edge analytics to advance sports

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in a quantitative field such as Data Science, Statistics, CS or Physics.
• Minimum 6 years of professional Data Scientist experience with a focus on sports analytics.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow.
• Strong knowledge of statistical modeling, ML techniques and experimental design.
• Experience with SQL/NoSQL and data visualization tools like Tableau.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop and deploy sophisticated statistical models and ML algorithms on sports data.
• Clean, transform and integrate large datasets from diverse sources.
• Identify trends and insights to inform decisions for athletes, teams and orgs.
• Collaborate with scientists, coaches and product teams to translate findings into applications.
• Build and maintain data pipelines and dashboards for real-time monitoring.
• Conduct A/B testing and experiments to evaluate strategies.
• Present findings clearly to stakeholders; stay current with data science advancements.

Skills

Python

R

Machine Learning

Statistics

Data Visualization

Experiment Design

Education

PhD/Master's in Data Science/Statistics/CS/Physics

Tools

Pandas

NumPy

Scikit-learn

TensorFlow

SQL

NoSQL

Tableau

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a forward-thinking innovator in the Leisure & Sports technology sector, is looking for a highly skilled Remote Sports Data Scientist to join their globally distributed team. This fully remote role involves leveraging advanced statistical analysis and machine learning techniques to extract actionable insights from complex sports data. You will be instrumental in developing predictive models, optimizing player performance, and enhancing fan engagement through data-driven solutions. This position offers the unique opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies and contribute to the strategic advancement of sports analytics, all while enjoying the flexibility of a remote work environment. If you have a passion for sports and a mastery of data science, this is the perfect opportunity to make a significant impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement sophisticated statistical models and machine learning algorithms to analyze sports performance data.
• Extract, clean, and transform large datasets from various sports-related sources, ensuring data integrity.
• Identify key trends, patterns, and insights within sports data to inform strategic decision-making for athletes, teams, and organizations.
• Collaborate closely with sports scientists, coaches, and product development teams to translate data findings into practical applications.
• Develop and maintain data pipelines and dashboards for real-time performance monitoring and reporting.
• Conduct A/B testing and other experimental designs to evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies or interventions.
• Present complex analytical findings and recommendations to stakeholders in a clear, concise, and compelling manner.
• Stay current with the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and sports analytics methodologies.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Data Science, Statistics, Computer Science, Physics, or a related quantitative field.
• Minimum of 6 years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a significant portion focused on sports analytics.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow).
• Strong understanding of statistical modeling, machine learning techniques (regression, classification, clustering, deep learning), and experimental design.
• Experience with database technologies (SQL, NoSQL) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Matplotlib).
• Deep passion for sports and a solid understanding of athletic performance metrics and sports science principles.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Superior communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Must be self-motivated and able to thrive in a fully remote, collaborative team setting.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary package with performance-based incentives.
• Full remote work status, offering exceptional flexibility and autonomy.
• Opportunities to work on challenging and impactful projects with leading sports entities.
• Access to advanced computing resources and cutting-edge analytics platforms.
• Generous budget for professional development, conferences, and continuous learning.
• Be at the forefront of innovation in the exciting field of sports data science.