Senior Data Scientist - Sports Analytics

Placements24; Bloemfontein; Hybrid; ZAR 2,501,000 - 3,835,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work

Stock options

Health benefits

Generous PTO

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Data Scientist for a fully remote role in sports analytics. You will design predictive models, analyze vast datasets, and translate insights into business value to enhance athlete performance and fan engagement.

The ideal candidate has a PhD or MSc in a quantitative field, 5+ years in data science, and strong Python or R skills with libraries like scikit-learn, TensorFlow, or PyTorch. Experience deploying models in production is a plus.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of professional experience as a Data Scientist with a focus on statistical modeling and machine learning.
• Proficiency in Python or R and libraries (scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumPy).
• Strong SQL experience and handling large-scale databases.

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, injury risk, game outcomes, and other metrics.
• Communicate findings clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders with visualizations and reports.

Skills

Python

R

SQL

Machine learning

Statistical modeling

Data visualization

Education

PhD or Master’s in a quantitative field

Tools

scikit-learn

TensorFlow

PyTorch

Pandas

NumPy

Tableau

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a cutting-edge sports technology company with a global reach, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Scientist to join their innovative team. This is a fully remote position that offers the chance to work on complex challenges in sports analytics, developing predictive models and deriving actionable insights from vast datasets. You will play a crucial role in enhancing athlete performance, optimizing team strategies, and improving fan engagement through data-driven solutions. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in machine learning, statistical modeling, and a passion for the intersection of data science and sports. This role demands analytical rigor, creativity, and the ability to translate intricate data findings into tangible business value.

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, injury risk, game outcomes, and other relevant metrics.
• Collaborate with product managers, engineers, and domain experts to define project requirements and deliver data-driven solutions.
• Communicate complex analytical findings and insights clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical stakeholders through visualizations and reports.
• Contribute to the development of data infrastructure and best practices within the data science team.
• Identify new opportunities for leveraging data to drive business value and innovation in the sports industry.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in data science, machine learning, and sports analytics.
• Mentor junior data scientists and contribute to a culture of learning and continuous improvement.
• Evaluate and benchmark the performance of developed models and algorithms.

Requirements

• Ph.D. or Master's degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related quantitative field.
• 5+ years of professional experience as a Data Scientist, with a focus on statistical modeling and machine learning.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python or R, and experience with relevant libraries (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas, NumX).
• Strong experience with SQL and working with large-scale databases.
• Solid understanding of machine learning techniques, including regression, classification, clustering, and deep learning.
• Experience in building and deploying machine learning models in a production environment.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to diverse audiences.
• Experience with data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Matplotlib).
• A demonstrated passion for sports and a deep understanding of sports analytics principles.

Benefits

• This fully remote role offers significant flexibility, allowing you to work from anywhere.
• Our client provides a highly competitive salary, comprehensive health benefits, stock options, and generous paid time off.
• You'll have access to cutting-edge technology, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a substantial impact in the exciting field of sports analytics.