Data Scientist 1

Join us in shaping the future of Europe’s largest port by turning complex operational data into predictive insights that drive real impact.

As a Data Scientist, you’ll build endtoend analytical solutions—leveraging Azure, Databricks, and advanced ML—to improve port performance at scale.

You’ll collaborate with a multidisciplinary analytics community to translate your models into clear, actionable value for stakeholders across the organization.

We are seeking a Data Scientist to transform operational data into the predictive models and insights that drive port performance. In this role, you will own the end-to-end analytical lifecycle — from sourcing and integrating data into our Azure Lakehouse to productionizing ML models and solvers using Databricks, dbt, and GitHub. You are a technical expert and a "data translator" who can navigate the full Medallion Architecture, ensuring that complex findings are converted into clear visualizations and actionable executive presentations. By leveraging advanced statistics and Generative AI, you will develop robust pipelines and dynamic tools that identify bottlenecks and provide high-quality, just-in-time solutions for our commercial and industrial stakeholders.
You’ll be part of a multifunctional analytics team, comprising data scientists, data stewards, data translators and analytics specialists. Beyond your direct team, you’ll be part of data communities and working groups, so you can learn and work together with likeminded colleagues from different departments and IT. As part of the Digital Port Performance team, you’ll also have close interaction with program managers, business managers and customers of the Port of Rotterdam.
Key responsibilities include:

• Source and integrate missing structured or unstructured data to fill operational visibility gaps, ensuring all ingestion follows established data governance and Medallion Architecture standards in the Azure Lakehouse.
• Develop and productionize explanatory and predictive models (such as regressions, ML models, or solvers), delivering from POCs in local notebooks to dbt models and GitHub-managed code following central CI/CD workflows.
• Engineer robust data pipelines using Databricks and dbt to ensure datasets are clean, accurate, and integrated for dynamic insight generation via Power BI, Genie AI/BI, and Databricks Dashboards.
• Act as a data translator, asking questions, aligning expectations and translating complex models and technical findings into clear visualizations and executive-level presentations for business and program managers.
• Collaborate across the value chain, working with architects and platform engineers upstream and Data Stewards/Specialists internally to continuously improve data infrastructure and port-wide standards.

Attractive, independent role: Initiative is encouraged, and your impact is immediately visible. This is your chance to make a legendary contribution to the largest port in Europe.
Flexible workweek: Enjoy a 36-hour hybrid workweek where we promote a healthy work-life balance.
Training and development opportunities: A wide range of courses and training programs to help you grow professionally.
Vitality and well-being: Discounted gym membership and fresh fruit at the office.
Competitive salary: Depending on your education and experience, we offer a starting salary of up to € 5.017,- gross per month based on a 36-hour workweek, with growth potential up to€ 6.271,- per month.
Travel allowance: Whether you travel by car, bike, or (first-class) public transport, we provide a suitable reimbursement.
Flexible benefits budget: 19.6% on top of your gross monthly salary, made up of holiday allowance (8%), a 13th month (8.33%), vitality contribution (2.3%), and an additional budget (0.97%). You can choose to have this paid out or use it for things like a bicycle, extra pension contributions, additional leave, or further training. A sustainable investment. Individual choice budget.
A one-year contract: both parties are satisfied after the first year, the contract will be extended by one year or converted into a permanent employment contract.
Excellent pension scheme: With ABP (average salary system), where we cover about 70% of the premium.
Company laptop and mobile phone: Always have the right tools at hand to do your job effectively.
For more information about our employment conditions, please refer to our collective labor agreement (CAO)

Our commercial department is responsible for the customers of the Port of Rotterdam.
As an Data Scientist, you will be part of the Digital Port Performance team. This team consists of 24 enthusiastic colleagues from diverse nationalities and backgrounds. Our goal is to utilize digital tools to achieve the port's strategy and improve its performance. We use data and analytics to identify bottlenecks and work with customers and partners to find solutions. Although we generally do not build these solutions ourselves, we coordinate and oversee their development. We collaborate with an ecosystem of start-ups, scale-ups, suppliers, and knowledge institutes.
Since digitalization is a key strategic theme, the team reports directly to our CEO. You will work closely with colleagues from the commercial department, asset management, environmental management, strategy, marketing and communications, and our subsidiary Portbase (Port Community System). Together, we strengthen the port's competitive position and reduce emissions.
You will be part of a sub-team within Customer Digital that focuses on delivering data analytics and insights that help improve sustainability, resilience and efficiency of logistics and industrial activities in the port area. Our aim is to provide a seamless experience to the more than 3,000 B2B companies operating in the Port of Rotterdam

• Completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree, preferably in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) courses
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in a similar role with data science and/or data analytics
• Demonstrable coding skills in Python and SQL for data collection (including working with API's/JSON's), data modelling, data visualization, and building machine learning and genAI models in cloud environments.
• Demonstrable knowledge in statistics, econometrics, and concepts behind data science techniques.
• Proven ability to act as a data translator - bridging the gap between technical data teams and business stakeholders to gather requirements, incorporate feedback, present findings and deliver projects focused on business value

Competencies that are important in this job

• Problem-Solving Ability: You assess information for completeness and reliability. You analyze a large amount of information to identify possible causes of a problem. With your expertise and experience, you can anticipate potential consequences and identify critical points. You remain open to new ideas to further enhance your problem-solving abilities.
• Effective Communication: You provide information in a structured and concise manner, both orally and in writing. You communicate clearly and pleasantly, actively listening and clarifying any uncertainties.
• Customer Orientation: You empathize with the customer. You maintain active communication with the customer and are clear about mutual (realistic) expectations and the status of affairs. You understand that in relation to customers, captains, suppliers, etc., you represent the Port Authority. You behave accordingly and remain calm and friendly in all communication.
• Quality Focus: You perform work in an orderly and structured manner. You carefully and systematically check your own work for correctness and completeness. You pay attention to detail and ensure that confidential information is always handled correctly.