Club Data Scientist (Junior or Senior)

At Football Radar, our mission is to be the world-leading provider of football analytics. For over a decade, we have combined predictive modelling techniques with expert analysis and our proprietary datasets to deliver insights that drive success for our betting clients and football clubs. By combining the agility of a start-up with the stability of an established business, we’ve created an environment where innovation and long-term success go hand in hand.

About The Role

As a Data Scientist on our Club Services team, you'll work with high-frequency tracking and event data to build and improve the models behind our player evaluation framework. The problems are often difficult with no clear answer, so you'll need to make defensible modelling decisions, quantify your uncertainty, and then make your work robust enough to run in production and be trusted in real recruitment decisions. To achieve this, you will have the freedom to explore and develop your own ideas while working collaboratively with a team of data scientists, developers, and analysts, to combine technical expertise with football knowledge.

You will also be a passionate football fan, with an understanding of the current football analytics landscape. You must be a strong communicator, able to translate technical analyses and insights to both technical and non-technical audiences. You will be required to demonstrate strong problem solving skills, with an ability to identify challenges and propose solutions. 

You will be based at our London office, at 106 Kensington High Street, London, W8 4SG. While we are open to flexible working hours to help you avoid rush hour, we believe in the value of in-person collaboration and learning opportunities, so we require at least 4 days a week in the office.

Requirements

We are looking for smart, ambitious people who are naturally curious, eager to learn, and enjoy solving challenging problems in a dynamic environment. We are open to candidates from early-career to experienced Data Scientists. The following are the core skills we would expect all candidates to meet:

• A Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in a STEM subject
• Solid understanding of predictive modelling, machine learning, and probability theory
• Familiarity with techniques such as Bayesian modelling, mixed effects models, GLMs, and Neural Networks. While expertise in every area isn't expected, you should have a broad awareness of available techniques and tools, and understand the trade-offs of different approaches
• Ability to communicate complex models and analyses clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Comfort working collaboratively across teams, sharing ideas early, and taking onboard feedback from both technical and football-focused colleagues
• Proficiency in Python for data analysis and modelling
• Experience working with SQL and relational databases
• Interest in football and sports analytics

For senior candidates

More experienced candidates will have the opportunity to take on more responsibility, leading projects, and helping set the direction of our research. We are looking for candidates who can think strategically and make pragmatic decisions about where we should focus our efforts, and what technical approaches we should use to get our modelling ideas onto production. So in addition to the requirements above, this means you also bring:

• 3+ years of experience applying predictive modelling and machine learning in industry, with exposure to football through professional work or substantial personal projects
• Experience working with high volume tracking-data datasets, with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and possible approaches associated with them
• A practical approach to problem-solving, balancing attention to detail with the ability to deliver MVPs quickly
• Ability to deliver projects independently, making informed and justifiable decisions, while also contributing effectively as part of a team
• Experience taking models from research into production, and deploying them to the cloud

What We Offer

• Bonus opportunities based on company performance

• 33 days holiday (Including bank holidays)

• Competitive contribution matched pensions

• Health and well-being benefits:

  • Private Medical Insurance (including excess coverage)
  • Health Cash Plan
  • Subsidised gym membership

• Daily subsidised office meals

• Learning and development budgets to invest in your personal growth

• Company and team led engagement activities throughout the year

• Fortnightly five-a-side game amongst colleagues