Marc Austin
Stirling
Summary
Experienced professional with expertise in quantitative analysis using Python, pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, TensorFlow/Keras, yfinance and matplotlib. Proficient in feature engineering, classification, chronological validation and backtesting. Skilled in trading and risk management including signal filtering, transaction-cost modelling, Sharpe ratio optimisation, maximum drawdown analysis, market exposure assessment and volatility-based position sizing. Adept at data visualisation and reporting through Power BI dashboard development and multi-source performance monitoring. Competent in statistical tools such as R and Stata for reproducible analysis, regression techniques, ensemble modelling and data preparation. Demonstrates strong operational capabilities in risk assessment, constrained resource allocation and cross-functional collaboration while maintaining calm decision-making under pressure.
Overview
2
2
Languages
6
6
years of post-secondary education
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work history
National Triathlon Centre Interim Lead
University of Stirling
Stirling
2024.05 - 2025.12
- Developed a Power BI dashboard for 12 athletes, utilised by eight staff, integrating training, recovery, nutrition and performance data to identify patterns and inform multidisciplinary decisions.
- Led live performance operations, managing staff time, facilities and programme capacity; authored weekly risk assessments and made swift, safety-focused decisions in response to changing performance or operating conditions.
- Independently designed and implemented a Python trading-research workflow covering market-data preparation, feature engineering, machine-learning signal filtering, chronological validation and transaction-cost-adjusted backtesting.
- Converted bullish MACD crossovers into testable long-only trading decisions using a Random Forest filter, next-day execution, fixed holding periods and volatility-based position sizing.
- Trained the models on 2010–2019 data, validated them on 2020–2021 and retained 2022–2024 for final testing. The strongest filtered strategy returned approximately 32%, with a 1.41 Sharpe ratio and an 8.9% maximum drawdown during the held-back period.
- Built a reproducible Python pipeline for collecting and preparing market data, engineering technical indicators, training models and backtesting trading rules.
- Compared logistic regression, balanced logistic regression, Random Forest and LSTM models for predicting next-day market direction, before using Random Forest to filter candidate MACD trades.
- Structured the analysis using chronological training, validation and test periods, with positions shifted by one trading day to reduce look-ahead bias.
- Incorporated 0.1% transaction costs and evaluated cumulative return, annualised volatility, Sharpe ratio, maximum drawdown and market exposure rather than judging the strategy on return alone.
- Tested volatility-based position sizing, reducing exposure during more volatile periods to examine the trade-off between absolute return and downside risk.
- Documented the project’s limitations, including its long-only design, the absence of live execution and the potential for residual tuning bias after exploring some trading-rule parameters.
Interim Lead Coach
National Triathlon Centre | Triathlon Scotland / University of Stirling
Stirling
2023.01 - 2026.08
- Lead day-to-day performance operations for a 12-athlete national training centre, coordinating training, health, facilities, travel and competition activity with coaches and multidisciplinary practitioners.
- Progressed from Assistant Coach (2023–May 2024) to Interim Lead Coach (May–Dec 2024) and permanent Lead Coach (Jan 2025–present).
- Made rapid decisions during training and competition to ensure athlete safety and performance optimisation. during live training and competition environments, using performance information and safety considerations to adapt, continue or stop activity while communicating calmly under pressure.
- Conducted weekly risk assessments for open-water training, open-road activity, competitions and overseas camps, identifying hazards and implementing appropriate controls.
- Developed Power BI dashboard for eight staff, integrating training load, recovery, nutrition and race-performance data to enhance reporting and identify emerging patterns.
- Analysed running and cycling volume, intensity and session speed when investigating an athlete’s potential bone injury, identifying a load spike resembling a previous injury pattern and presenting the evidence to the multidisciplinary team.
- Allocated support-coach time, facilities and programme capacity across competing individual and group needs, providing analytical context for performance-budget discussions.
Coach
Coach | Self-employed
, Scotland
2016.01 - 2026.08
- Designed evidence-led training programmes, implementing monitoring and review processes to evaluate progress and adjust plans based on identified deviations.
- Translated complex performance information into clear dashboards and weekly summaries, providing practical recommendations to enhance understanding and inform decision-making.
- Nurtured talent through focused mentoring, enhancing player potential significantly over time.
- Planned comprehensive training schedules, resulting in enhanced endurance and strength of players.
- Collaborated with other coaches for exchange of ideas and methods.
Professional Triathlete
Professional Triathlete | Independent
2014.01 - 2020.01
- Competed internationally for six years in elite triathlon, securing multiple medals at Commonwealth, World and European Championships.
- Operated in high-pressure, data-driven performance environments, demonstrating disciplined preparation, rapid tactical judgement, and accountability for results.
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Quickly learned and applied new skills to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
- Successfully delivered on tasks within tight deadlines.
Education
Master of Science - Statistics
University of Strathclyde
Glasgow, United Kingdom 2025.01 - 2026.12
BSc Mathematics and its Applications - undefined
University of Stirling
2011.01 - 2015.01
Skills
- Quantitative analysis: Python, pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, TensorFlow/Keras, yfinance and matplotlib; feature engineering, classification, chronological validation and backtesting
- Trading and risk: signal filtering, transaction-cost modelling, Sharpe ratio, maximum drawdown, market exposure and volatility-based position sizing
- Data visualisation and reporting: Power BI dashboard development, multi-source performance monitoring and communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Statistical tools: R and Stata for reproducible analysis, regression, ensemble modelling, data preparation and reporting; Git/GitHub for version control
- Operations: risk assessment, constrained resource allocation, cross-functional collaboration and calm decision-making under pressure
RECOGNITION & LANGUAGES
Commonwealth Games triathlon medallist (2018); World and European Championship medals.
English; German (B2).
Timeline
Master of Science - Statistics
University of Strathclyde
2025.01 - 2026.12
National Triathlon Centre Interim Lead
University of Stirling
2024.05 - 2025.12
Interim Lead Coach
National Triathlon Centre | Triathlon Scotland / University of Stirling
2023.01 - 2026.08
Coach
Coach | Self-employed
2016.01 - 2026.08
Professional Triathlete
Professional Triathlete | Independent
2014.01 - 2020.01
BSc Mathematics and its Applications - undefined
University of Stirling
2011.01 - 2015.01