Senior Data Scientist (Advanced Risk)

A BIT ABOUT US  

Do you want to join one of the world’s fastest growing sports technology companies?  

Listed on the NYSE in 2021, Genius Sports is at the epicentre of the global network connecting sports, brands and fans through official live data. Our mission is simple. We champion a more sustainable sports data ecosystem that benefits all parties.  

We put trust in our people to deliver the difference for our clients around the world. It’s why many of the world’s largest leagues & federations such as the NFL, English Premier League, FIBA and NCAA choose to work with Genius Sports. 

WHAT WILL YOU BE WORKING ON? 

At Genius Sports we are looking for highly motivated individuals to join our growing data science teams. These teams will play a major role in developing and implementing predictive models for sporting events across all major sporting codes. The predictive models you create will feed all our in-house products and are critical to achieving our business goals. Our Sports modeling teams work in a multidisciplinary team combining machine learning specialists and software engineers to deliver the key product outcomes. These teams have the skill set and autonomy to solve business problems the way they see fit. 

THE ROLE 

We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Data scientist to join our team and contribute to the development of cutting-edge algorithms for predicting and estimating the outcome probabilities of sports events. In this role, you will play a crucial part in revolutionizing the way sports outcomes are analyzed and forecasted. Your responsibilities will include designing, implementing, and optimizing machine learning algorithms to predict sports event outcomes.

You will apply these models to complex systems, simulate sports events, and generate outcome probabilities for different game states. Additionally, you will design processes to predict probability distributions based on sport-specific requirements. Proficiency in statistical analysis, probability interpretation, and adherence to software development best practices is essential.

Collaborating spirit is highly required, you will contribute to technical discussions and share knowledge to advance our sports simulation capabilities. Join us in shaping the future of sports analytics through data science.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Prototype, implement, develop, assess, and optimize machine learning algorithms aimed at predicting or estimating the probabilities of outcomes in sports events.
• Apply the ML models on complex systems (such as Markov processes) to simulate and predict sports events and obtain outcome probabilites for different game states
• Thoroughly interpret statistical and probability results, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of their implications.
• Maintain best practices for software development, including deployment process, documentation and coding standards
• Contribute to technical and product discussions, and share knowledge and ideas with colleagues across the company

WHAT SKILLS DO YOU HAVE? 

• 5+ years of experience and Bachelor’s, MS or PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Computational Statistics, Machine Learning or related STEM fields 
• Knowledge of CS fundamentals (data structures and algorithms) 
• Knowledge of probability and statistics fundamentals 
• Proficiency with Python, or other scripting languages (R, Matlab, etc)
• Experience with common machine learning algorithms (Neural Networks, logistic regression, random forest, XGBoost, etc.) 

ADDITIONAL DESIRABLE SKILLS 

• Strong industry experience in model development, covering the full life-cycle from creation to deployment (Gitlab, AWS, Docker)  
• Experience with real-time systems and/or high-performance computing
• Proficiency with Golang or/and C++
• A passion for sports and knowledge of the rules 

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR CO-WORKERS 

• Curiosity and strong desire to learn and improve.
• Social skills, being able to act as a facilitator, can balance enabling others with individual contributions.
• Time management and asynchronous communication skills relevant for a remote-first engineering organization.
• Enthusiasm and ability to work collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent spoken and written English.
• Adherence to our core engineering principles of Aligned Autonomy, Psychological Safety and Continuous Improvement. 

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU? 

As well as a competitive salary and annual leave allowance, our benefits include health insurance, skills training and much more, depending on the location. We also offer a host of softer benefits, including many social events throughout the year such as summer and winter holiday parties, monthly team building events, sports tournaments, charity days and wellbeing activities.  

HOW WE WORK 

We have adapted a forward-thinking ‘Ways of Working’ framework, which sets out (amongst other things) the opportunities for Geniuses to work flexibly, remotely and on working holidays. It affects different teams and locations differently, so please ask for further information in how it would work with this role. 

Our employees are empowered to stretch the boundaries of what’s achievable, always reaching further and pushing the edges to see what gives. We collaborate, we innovate, and we celebrate. We will continue to grow as an organisation and continue to invest in our highly talented and diverse team of Geniuses.  

Genius Sports Group is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We recognize and celebrate the benefits that a diverse and inclusive workforce bring to our business, our customers and our staff. We welcome and will consider all applications regardless of age, different abilities or disability, gender re-assignment, marriage, pregnancy, maternity, race or nationality, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation (and any other applicable status). Please let us know when you apply if you need any assistance during the recruiting process due to a disability.