Senior Basketball Researcher

Description

The Portland Trail Blazers are seeking a Strategic and Analytically Driven Senior Researcher to join their Basketball Operations team. This role involves blending technical expertise, advanced quantitative analysis, and strong communication skills to uncover actionable insights and translate complex data into clear, basketball-relevant recommendations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop, and validate analysis systems, predictive models, and quantitative tools that support strategic decision-making across Basketball Operations.
• Translate complex findings into clear, actionable recommendations tailored to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Partner with scouting, player personnel, coaching, medical and performance teams to find opportunities where data and technology can create a competitive advantage.
• Communicate insights through compelling presentations, visualizations, and storytelling that make data accessible and actionable.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies and analytical approaches to continuously improve basketball intelligence capabilities.
• Help shape and evolve the organization’s overall research philosophy, analytical processes, and long-term innovation strategy.

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience working with large, complex datasets in an academic, professional, or sports environments; basketball or sports analytics experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in applying statistical modeling, machine learning, and modern analytical frameworks (e.g., Python-based libraries) to solve complex problems and generate actionable insights.
• Skilled in cleaning, transforming, and preprocessing large datasets using Python or similar scripting languages.
• Experienced in writing and optimizing SQL queries within relational database environments.
• Demonstrated ability to influence decision-making and build trust across technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Strong intellectual curiosity and basketball acumen, with the ability to connect analytical findings to on-court impact, organizational priorities, and competitive advantage.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to translate highly technical concepts into clear, relatable insights for diverse audiences.
• Comfortable presenting findings and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to effectively partner across diverse groups and build strong working relationships.

SKILLS

• Advanced quantitative analysis skills.
• Statistical modeling and machine learning proficiency.
• Python programming and SQL query writing.
• Effective communication and presentation skills.
• Collaborative teamwork and leadership abilities.

BENEFITS

• Competitive Healthcare Coverage.
• Retirement Plan.
• Paid Maternity & Parental Leave.
• Flexible Time Off (3 weeks + 11 holidays).
• Wellness Perks.
• Free Parking + Discounted Mass Transit Passes.
• Discounted & Complimentary Tickets.
• Ongoing Learning & Development.

PAY

Compensation is commensurate with experience.

SCHEDULE

Full-time position.