Performance Data Scientist

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

The Performance Data Scientist is responsible for facilitating performance-related data collection, management, analysis, and communication across the club, in accordance with the WFC Performance Strategy. This exciting role contributes to both the daily training environment and longer-term research & innovation projects, and touches on many performance domains, including first team football, scouting and recruitment, and player development.

Role Responsibilities:

• Assist with implementing data pipeline workflows for raw and summary data from optical
  tracking, football event data, wearable technology, and other available data sources
• Assist with developing and implementing football performance analysis/models that can inform decisions about scouting/recruitment, match analysis/review, player development, and opposition scouting
• Implement quality control and data best practices at all steps of the data pipeline for performance related data – data collection, data analysis, and data communication
• Work collaboratively with physical preparation and medical staff to collect appropriate data sets when required, including force plates, global positioning systems, and strength testing
• Work alongside coaches, staff, and players, in alignment with the WFC Performance Strategy
• Assist with analyses for internal and publishable research and innovation projects, as needed
• Support performance processes as needed 

• Undergraduate qualifications in one of the following areas: data science, applied sport science, information technology, epidemiology (with advanced data analysis), or biostatistics
• At least 2 years of experience in data science and/or applied sports science working in a high-performance sport or business environment (e.g. collegiate, national, or professional sport)
• Ability to work with various data sources, platforms, and data science software. Coding proficiency with SQL, Python, and/or R
• Proficiency in data visualization and interactive dashboard creation through R, Python, Microsoft Power BI, and/or Tableau
• Understanding of data engineering and data pipeline construction, database management, data modeling, and data visualization/reporting
• Proficiency with querying REST APIs and working with several data formats (e.g. .json, .parquet, xml)
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work across multiple teams within the organization
• Passionate about sport and human performance
• Demonstrated capacity to provide timely and relevant data processing