Senior Data Scientist

About Kohort

Kohort is the leading machine learning platform for mobile gaming user acquisition optimisation and financial planning. We provide game studios with investment-grade LTV predictions using petabyte-scale data and machine learning.

We are a group of gaming and data experts from King, Sensor Tower, Tripledot, Mistplay, Bloomberg and Football Radar. Our clients range from large, listed developers and publishers to up-and-coming start-ups building at the cutting edge of mobile gaming.

We add value to customers by helping them optimise UA spend on a day-to-day basis and then creating financial plans to accomplish strategic finance goals - from VC raises to IPO prep.

Our platform is investment grade; to date, we are the analytics partners of tier-1 PEs and VCs such as Index and CVC, and managed $8bn in deal value.

Why Kohort

Career acceleration: We are accelerating as only a startup can. Join us in a zero-politics, no-drama, high-energy, impact-focused environment on the ground floor.

Do the defining work of your career: We are working on a $6bn problem. That's how much UA spend is wasted in mobile gaming each year. Did that make your blood boil? Sounds crazy? Wasteful? Let's fix it together.

We live and breathe gaming: You'll get to work with the biggest game studios and on the biggest gaming PE and VC deals.

Your Role

As a Senior Data Scientist at Kohort, you'll be at the heart of our technology, driving the machine learning innovations that power our investment-grade analytics platform. You'll work alongside backend developers, product managers, and fellow data scientists to build and refine the ML models and data systems that deliver actionable insights to our clients.

- Model Innovation: Design and implement sophisticated ML models for LTV prediction, user acquisition optimization, and financial forecasting, focusing on understanding complex gaming behaviors and developing out-of-the-box solutions.

- Technical Leadership: Take responsibility for scoping, planning and estimating new data science initiatives, unblocking analytical challenges, and enabling the team to deliver high-quality predictive models.

- Data Detective: Proactively identify and integrate new data sources, thinking creatively to solve complex data challenges. You'll need to be constantly on the lookout for unconventional data that could unlock new insights.

- Performance & Scale: Optimize model performance and scalability to handle petabyte-scale gaming data while maintaining investment-grade accuracy standards.

- Domain Expertise: Continuously deepen your understanding of gaming analytics, user acquisition mechanics, and mobile gaming business models to inform better modeling approaches.

We are a pre-Series A startup. So we know our domain and the problems we solve, but we want your help in pioneering the solutions. Part of this role is being a startup operator, executing cutting-edge research while helping build the company simultaneously.

Requirements

- Location: Based in Cape Town or London. Hybrid work with 2 days in office, with options for remote work.

- Experience: 5+ years of experience in hands-on data science and machine learning at scale. Experience in gaming or AdTech is a bonus.

- Education: Master's degree or higher in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, or related quantitative 

field. PhD preferred.

Technical Proficiency:

• Expertise in Python and R, with advanced proficiency in SQL for complex data manipulation


• Deep experience with machine learning frameworks (scikit-learn, PyTorch, XGBoost) and statistical modeling techniques


• Strong background in time series forecasting and predictive modeling for business applications


• Knowledge of MLOps practices and model deployment


• Experience with LLMs, AI coding assistants, and a strong desire to leverage cutting-edge AI techniques effectively


• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and software development best practices

Mindset and Soft Skills:

• Extremely proactive, self-driven attitude with exceptional creative problem-solving abilities in a fast-paced startup environment


• Insatiable curiosity for discovering new data sources and unconventional approaches to complex analytical challenges


• Pragmatic, business-outcome-oriented approach with ability to translate sophisticated models into clear business value


• Outstanding communication skills with ability to present complex findings to technical teams, clients and C-level executives


• Collaborative mindset with experience working across cross-functional teams in high-stakes environments

What you’ll receive

• Competitive salary


• Employee Share Scheme
  


• Income protection and Life cover 


• Wellbeing rewards


• Employee Assistance Program