At a Glance
- Tasks: Build ML models to enhance user experience and drive engagement on our gaming platform.
- Company: Join Nexus Mods, the largest video game modding platform with a vibrant community.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 4-day work week, gaming allowance, private healthcare, and flexible training budget.
- Other info: Work remotely within the UK and thrive in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by transforming data into actionable insights for millions of gamers.
- Qualifications: Experience in data science, strong Python skills, and a passion for gaming.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
Location: Remote, but within the UK.
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000
Please note: We are unable to sponsor international visas at this time.
About Nexus Mods
Established in 2001, Nexus Mods is the largest video game modding platform on the internet - a household name in the PC gaming ecosystem.
- 71M+ registered members
- 800K+ mods for 4,000+ games
- 21B+ mod downloads
We’re currently focused on product modernisation, driving growth and building infrastructure for the next 10 years of community-powered modding.
Our Role
We are looking for the first Data Scientist to join Nexus Mods. This is an opportunity to build the intelligence layer on top of our data platform, and to unlock the ML capability that has been waiting for the right person. We have invested in the foundations, and defined the ML roadmap, so you won’t be starting from scratch. Instead, you’ll step into a high leverage role where your work immediately powers discovery, personalisation, and a thriving community and ecosystem. You’ll tackle a uniquely rich dataset (~900k mods, ~71m users) and turn it into structured, actionable intelligence that helps millions of users find what they love faster. From day one, your models will ship, your systems will scale, and your impact will be visible in real user growth.
Responsibilities
- Build the foundation (Mod Classification)
- Own the end to end pipeline, powering classification at scale (~900K mods), from labelling data to production models.
- Turn raw data into structured, high-quality metadata that unlocks search, filtering, and personalisation.
- Continuously improve model performance and data quality.
- Drive Discovery & Recommendations
- Build recommendation models and improve search relevance to help users find the right mods faster.
- Leverage behavioural signals and unique datasets (e.g. dependency graphs) to power smarter personalisation.
- Directly impact engagement by increasing downloads, retention, and overall activity.
Experience as a Data Scientist or ML Engineer, with a track record of shipping models to production (not just notebooks). Strong proficiency in Python and the core ML ecosystem (scikit-learn, PyTorch or similar). Hands-on experience with NLP and text classification (we have ~900K mods to classify from unstructured descriptions and metadata). Experience building recommendation systems or search relevance models. Solid understanding of embeddings, similarity search, and how to operate them at scale. Able to scope and execute independently with strategic direction, not waiting for someone to hand you a spec. Thrives in fast-moving environments with high autonomy. Pragmatic mindset: you care about impact, not just model accuracy. Core stack: ClickHouse (warehouse), dbt (transformation), Python, with Mixpanel and Braze as downstream consumers.
Bonus Skills
- Experience with LLMs for data labelling, seed set generation, or classification pipelines.
- Familiarity with dbt or analytics engineering workflows.
- Experience with algorithmic design, optimisation, or reward modelling.
- Experience with A/B testing and causal inference.
- An understanding of games modding and knowledge of Nexus Mods.
- A love of computer games.
Benefits
- We work a 4-day week of 32 hours, with no reduction in pay.
- An allowance of £25 each month to spend on video games.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Private BUPA healthcare for you and your family.
- A very flexible training budget.
- Regular social events throughout the year. Participation is optional!
Data Scientist (ML) employer: Black Tree Gaming Limited
Contact Detail:
Black Tree Gaming Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Scientist (ML)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Nexus Mods on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Data Scientist role. Personal connections can make a huge difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio showcasing your previous projects, especially those involving ML models and data classification. Make sure to highlight any relevant experience with Python and recommendation systems, as this will catch our eye.
✨Tip Number 3
Get ready for the interview! Research Nexus Mods and understand our community-driven approach. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to our mission of enhancing user engagement through data science and ML.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at Nexus Mods. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Scientist (ML)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Data Scientist role. Highlight your experience with ML, Python, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for data science and gaming, and explain why you’re excited about joining Nexus Mods. Let us know how you can contribute to our mission.
Showcase Your Projects: If you've got any projects or models you've built, don’t hesitate to include them! We love seeing practical examples of your work, especially if they relate to recommendation systems or NLP.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Black Tree Gaming Limited
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the datasets you'll be working with. Familiarise yourself with the types of data Nexus Mods has, especially the ~900k mods and ~71m users. Be ready to discuss how you would approach turning raw data into structured intelligence.
✨Showcase Your Model Shipping Experience
Prepare to talk about your past experiences where you've successfully shipped models to production. Nexus Mods is looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so highlight specific projects where your models made a tangible impact.
✨Brush Up on Recommendation Systems
Since you'll be building recommendation models, make sure you can discuss your experience with them. Be ready to explain how you've improved search relevance or user engagement in previous roles, and think of innovative ideas you could bring to Nexus Mods.
✨Demonstrate Your Pragmatic Mindset
Nexus Mods values impact over perfection. Prepare examples that show how you've prioritised practical solutions in fast-paced environments. Discuss how you balance model accuracy with real-world application to drive user engagement and satisfaction.