Senior Data Scientist

About LudonauticsLudonautics is a sports advisory business dedicated to helping sporting organisations improve their data science capabilities through access to insightful statistical analysis. Ludonautics was founded in 2023 by Ian Graham, who served as Liverpool FC's Director of Research from 2012 to 2023. At Liverpool, Ian helped transform the club's fortunes by building the Premier League's first data science department.We are a collegiate and supportive team that will help you do your best work and give you the confidence to constructively challenge the thinking of club owners, CEOs and sporting directors.What will you be doing?Ludonautics is looking for a full-time Senior Data Scientist who will work closely with client clubs, identifying their needs and providing expert advice. The successful applicant will perform bespoke analysis for client clubs, conduct detailed analysis of their squad needs, and advise on their recruitment strategy.Sports data contains valuable insights into the tactics, strengths, and weaknesses of teams and players, and enables performance to be better analysed and forecast. This position requires someone who can work directly with client clubs, combining data analysis, modelling, football understanding, curiosity, and good judgement to answer difficult questions and support decision-making. Technical ability is important, but equally important is the judgement to identify the right problem, choose an appropriate approach, understand the trade-offs, to best impact decisions.Who are we looking for?We are looking for an experienced data scientist with a track record of working with football clubs. The successful candidate will have excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience applying statistical models to real-world football problems. They will demonstrate curiosity about football and a desire to understand why things happen rather than simply reporting what happened. They will also demonstrate sound judgement about which questions are worth asking, which analytical or modelling approaches are appropriate, and how analysis is likely to influence client decisions. Competency in numerical computing, preferably in Python, is essential.Essential Skills and Experience:Must have extensive experience:PythonSQLStatistical modellingStatistical data visualisationExperience working inside a professional football clubCommunicating analytical findings and recommendations to technical and non-technical audiencesResponsibilities:Performing bespoke data analysis and research to support client decision-makingMeeting with client clubs to present the results of Ludonautics’ analysis, communicate recommendations, and support decision-makingIdentifying recurring client needs and helping shape improvements to our models, tools, and platformTravelling to client clubs to meet with and present to club staffBenefitsCompetitive salaryRemote workingFlexible hoursHoliday buyback schemeBonus scheme based on the success of our clients and of the company