2023 Intern, Baseball Research & Development (R&D)

The Washington Nationals are seeking multiple interns to join our Baseball Research & Development team for the 2023 season. As an intern, you’ll work on developing and applying your data science skills to baseball, performing research on baseball questions under the close mentorship of a team member of Baseball R&D. You’ll likely work on one project at a time, with plenty of time for model exploration and personal development. You’ll have the opportunity to work in a collaborative baseball front office daily at the stadium, watching baseball and engaging regularly with more senior members of our baseball operations group.

Internships are a key way for us to find future full-time members of our department, with many of our senior department members beginning as interns. While a pathway to a full-time position is not assured, many of our former interns have found full-time opportunities with the Nationals or other MLB clubs. While internships ideally span from Opening Day to November 1st, we’re open to candidates that may not be available for this entire period.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Use R to build statistical models to answer a primary baseball research question under the direction of a Baseball R&D team member
• Communicate findings through written reports, presentations, and informal conversations
• Design and build informative data visualizations for use in automated reports or internal web applications

Requirements

Education and Experience Requirements

• Experience analyzing datasets and training statistical models using R, Python, or equivalent
• Has or is pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree from a four-year college or university, preferably in Data Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or related field
• Willingness to relocate to Washington, DC
• Authorized to work in the United States

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Necessary To Perform Essential Functions

• Ability to complete statistical modeling projects
• Ability to listen and incorporate feedback
• Enthusiasm for learning new skills related to programming, statistical modeling, and data visualization
• Passion for baseball and desire to work in baseball operations
• Working knowledge of sabermetrics and modern quantitative baseball evaluation concepts
• Uphold Core Values: Excellence, Performance, and Accountability. These core values set the tone in everything we do, help us succeed on and off the field, make a difference in the community and provide the best guest experience in sports. It is important that the person in the position commits themselves to these core values so that we can constantly move forward in the same direction – Together.

Physical/Environmental Requirements

• Office: Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. Occasional long hours may be required during draft, trade deadline, or postseason.
• Interns can attend all home games but are not required to.

All applicants for employment at the Washington Nationals are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment will be required to produce proof of vaccination status prior to their first day of employment. Applicants with qualifying disabilities or bona fide religious objections may be exempted from this requirement or otherwise accommodated if they are unable to be vaccinated.