Data Scientist - Baseball Analytics / Baseball Sciences

BEING PART OF THE TEAM Our business is a team sport that began on a field with baseballs and bats and has evolved into one of the most recognizable brands in sports and entertainment through Cubs baseball and live events. Our success is driven by our people, who work to create and inspire change in an engaging, collaborative and inclusive environment. As a team, we continue to build a culture on and off the field that delivers unforgettable experiences for one another, our fans and community. In support of that effort, we expect associates to work primarily in our office. Are you ready to be part of it?

OUR STORY THE CHICAGO CUBS FRANCHISE The Chicago Cubs franchise, a charter member of Major League Baseball’s National League since 1876, has won the National League pennant 17 times and was the first team to win back-to-back World Series titles in the 1907 and 1908 seasons. In 2016, the Chicago Cubs made history again when the team won its first World Series in 108 years, ending the longest championship drought in North American sports. Known for its ivy-covered outfield walls, hand-operated scoreboard and famous Marquee, iconic Wrigley Field has been the home of the Chicago Cubs since 1916 and is the second oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball. In 2009, the Ricketts family assumed ownership of the Chicago Cubs and established three main goals for the organization: Win the World Series, Preserve and Improve Wrigley Field, and Be a Good Neighbor.

HOW YOU’LL CONTRIBUTE

The Chicago Cubs are seeking Data Scientists to join our Baseball Analytics and Baseball Sciences groups in the Baseball Operations’ Research and Development department. These roles will focus on building models and applications that support baseball decision-making in the front office. Data Scientists will work closely with the rest of the R&D team to design and implement data processing pipelines, develop analytical methods that deepen our understanding and application of data, and deliver insights that inform decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex findings into actionable recommendations.

Data Scientists will specialize with a particular application in mind. Some potential examples:

Pitching Analysis

Position Player Analysis

Major League Strategy

Amateur Evaluation

International Amateur Evaluation

Professional Evaluation

Quality Assurance, Validation, and Model Explainability

AI Innovation

THE DAY-TO-DAY:

Create data modeling pipelines that maintain up-to-date estimates of relevant baseball metrics

Conduct quantitative research that establishes new insights for a domain specialization

Collaborate with stakeholders to prioritize research and integrate the use of quantitative models in our decision-making processes

Research, develop, and test methods and models for the purpose of player assessment, development, acquisition, and in-game strategy

Support the implementation of new technologies and initiatives into existing analytical frameworks

Effectively communicate findings through written reports, presentations, and visualizations

Work with Baseball Systems team to integrate new statistical analyses, models, and data visualizations into Cubs web applications

Build processes that identify, diagnose, and resolve data quality and model drift issues

Handle data and analysis requests from the coaching staff and other departments within Baseball Operations

WHAT YOU’LL BRING:

Proficiency with SQL, and at least one programming language commonly used in data analysis (e.g., Julia, MATLAB, Python, R)

Strong foundation in statistical modeling, machine learning, and data visualization

Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail

WHAT SETS YOU APART:

Advanced degree and/or comparable work experience in a quantitative discipline

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within a team setting

Prior experience/knowledge of baseball analytics and technologies

TOTAL REWARDS:

On-site parking

Transit benefits

Paid time off: Personal, Sick, Vacation Time, Office Holidays & Winter Break

Flexible work arrangement

Casual work attire environment

Complimentary Meal & beverage plan

Cubs home game & spring training game ticket allotment

Access to campus wide Wrigley Field events & pre-sales

401K Plan Employee Contribution & Employer Match

Benefit Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance

Health & Wellness engagement & programming

Variety of associate special events, volunteer opportunities and partnership discounts

Tuition Reimbursement

Free access to EV charging stations (Chicago-based)

Free subscription to Marquee Sports Network (Chicago-based)