Junior Performance Data Scientist in Bournemouth

Location: AFC Bournemouth Performance Centre, Wimborne

The Junior Performance Data Scientist supports the development, implementation, and alignment of data-driven processes across the club. The role contributes to the daily reliability of data systems and reporting outputs, ensuring that staff can depend on accurate and timely information to inform decision-making. Working under the supervision of the Academy Head of Medical & Performance and First Team Performance Data Scientist, the role contributes to First Team projects while supporting the translation and implementation of data systems within the Academy environment ensuring consistency of data collection, reporting, and interpretation across the player pathway. The role is supported by senior data science expertise within the club, providing guidance on methodology, system development, and analytical approaches. These relationships are designed to support and develop the role while maintaining clear operational responsibility within the club structure.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the collection, cleaning, and analysis of medical and performance data.
• Support dashboards, reporting systems, and visualisation tools.
• Contribute to the interpretation of data to support decision-making.
• Translate data outputs into practical insights that support medical and performance decision-making.

Data Integrity & System Management

• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all medical and performance data across platforms.
• Maintain and monitor data pipelines (e.g. GPS, HR, wellness, testing) to ensure reliable daily operations.
• Support the standardisation of data collection, storage, and reporting processes across First Team and Academy.
• Identify and resolve inconsistencies or errors in data systems and workflows.

Systems & Process Alignment

• Support the implementation of data systems and workflows across First Team and Academy.
• Assist in aligning data collection, storage, and reporting standards across departments.
• Contribute to the development of scalable and reproducible data processes.
• Ensure secure handling, storage, and governance of player data in line with club standards.

Project Work

• Support ongoing research and innovation projects within Medical & Performance.
• Assist in integrating new technologies and data sources into existing workflows.

Education & Collaboration

• Support staff understanding of data outputs and tools.
• Work closely with medical, performance, and coaching staff to ensure data outputs are contextually relevant and actionable.
• Contribute to the development and testing of predictive/statistical models supporting athlete health and performance.

Collaboration & Departmental Integration

• Work within a multidisciplinary team to support player health, performance, and development.
• Contribute to a one department approach, fostering trust, collaboration, and shared accountability across medical and performance staff.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings and decision-making processes related to player management.

General Duties - Governance & Compliance

• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters, you follow and actively promote the club’s mental health policies and practices to ensure an open, non-judgmental and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
• As a member of staff to ensure that you adhere to the club’s safeguarding policies and procedures and are committed to our safeguarding values, creating a safe and positive environment for all those who interact with the club.
• Obligation to adhere to the club’s health and safety policy and procedures.
• As a member of staff to ensure in all matters you follow and actively promote the club’s equality policies and practices to ensure a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for everyone engaged with the club.
• Maintain professional standards in line with governing bodies and regulatory requirements.

The duties and responsibilities described are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the employee from time to time, or the scope of the job may change as necessitated by business demands.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Degree in Data Science, Sports Science, Mathematics, or related field.
• Working knowledge of Python and/or R, including relevant libraries such as pandas, scikit-learn, or tidyverse.
• Familiarity with data visualisation tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI) and the ability to communicate insights clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Knowledge of relational databases and querying data using SQL.
• Exposure to machine learning concepts and statistical modelling techniques, with a willingness to develop these skills further.
• Understanding of data wrangling, cleaning, and validation processes in real-world, often messy datasets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Benefits

• Free onsite parking.
• Season ticket and allocation of complimentary/purchased tickets (subject to availability).
• Subsidised lunches and complimentary healthy snacks throughout the day.
• Discounts at the club Superstore.
• Access to Health Cash Plan with Simplyhealth.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Contribution towards eye tests and glasses.
• Discounts and benefits from partners and local businesses.
• Club pension & Life Assurance Scheme.
• Paid parental leave (bank of five days per year).
• Club events or other social events throughout the year run by our club social team.
• Paid volunteer opportunities (2 days per year).
• Paid day’s leave on your birthday.