Senior Data Scientist & Analytics Expert

Experienced data scientist with expertise in machine learning, statistical analysis, and data engineering. Currently building data-driven solutions from research to production as Co-Founder at SKOPOS ELEMENTS.

Christopher Harms - Data Scientist

About Me

I'm a Senior Data Scientist and Co-Founder of SKOPOS ELEMENTS, where we build end-to-end data solutions combining rigorous statistical methods with modern machine learning techniques.

My academic background includes doctoral research at the University of Bonn focused on statistical practice and replicability in psychological science. This foundation in rigorous methodology now drives my approach to solving complex data challenges in business contexts.

At SKOPOS ELEMENTS, I lead data science projects from conception through production deployment, working hands-on with everything from statistical modeling to data engineering and machine learning implementation.

As Head of AI for the SKOPOS Group, I'm responsible for developing and implementing our overall AI strategy, advancing market research through data science and machine learning methods.

5+
Years Experience
50+
Projects Completed

Core Expertise

Machine Learning
Statistical Analysis
(statistical modeling, Bayesian statistics, hypothesis testing)
Data & AI Strategy
Python
R
Data Engineering
(SQL, dbt, Snowflake)

Experience

2020 - Present
SKOPOS ELEMENTS

Co-Founder & Managing Director

SKOPOS ELEMENTS

Leading a consultancy that provides data science solutions for clients using statistics, machine learning, and software engineering. Building a team of data scientists and providing individual, data-centered solutions for customers. As Head of AI for the SKOPOS Group, responsible for developing and implementing AI strategies across projects.

Key Achievements:

  • • Built and led a team of data scientists and engineers
  • • Implemented custom Machine Learning, Data Engineering, and Reporting solutions for customers
  • • Developed and implemented AI strategy across SKOPOS Group
Machine Learning Team Leadership Business Development Python / R Data & AI Strategy
2016 - 2020
SKOPOS Research

Lead Data Scientist

SKOPOS Research

Advancing market research through the implementation of data science and machine learning methods. Led technical initiatives to modernize traditional market research approaches with cutting-edge analytical techniques and automated data processing pipelines.

Key Responsibilities:

  • • Implemented machine learning models for market research analysis
  • • Developed automated data processing and analysis pipelines
  • • Bridged traditional market research with modern data science approaches
  • • Collaborated with research teams to enhance analytical capabilities
Machine Learning / NLP Market Research Tableau Python / R Alteryx / KNIME
2015 - 2021
University of Bonn

Doctoral Researcher

University of Bonn

Academic research on questions of replicability in psychological science and statistical practice (hypothesis testing, statistical modeling, Bayesian statistics). Teaching Master students in psychology on testing, decision-making and psychological assessment.

Research Focus:

  • • Dissertation: "The Replication Crisis in Psychology: Statistical and Meta-Scientific Perspectives"
  • • Advanced statistical practice and replicability methodologies
  • • Bayesian statistical modeling and hypothesis testing
Statistical Modeling Bayesian Statistics Research Methods Teaching R
2012 - 2014
University of Bonn

M.Sc. Psychology

University of Bonn

Master's degree in Psychology with focus on quantitative methods and data analysis. Specialized in statistical validation and simulation-based methods for data quality assessment.

Academic Achievement:

  • • Master thesis: "Statistical validation of data quality using simulation-based methods"
  • • Specialization in quantitative research methods
  • • Advanced coursework in statistical analysis and experimental design
Statistical Methods Data Quality Simulation Methods Experimental Design
2008 - 2012
University of Bonn

B.Sc. Psychology

University of Bonn

Bachelor's degree in Psychology with early focus on quantitative methods and data analysis. Gained foundational expertise in statistical analysis and research methodology.

Notable Work:

  • • Bachelor thesis: "The Influence of Genetics and Personality on Soft-Drink Preference: A Neuromarketing Study involving Eye-Tracking Measurements"
  • • Early exposure to advanced statistical methods
  • • Foundation in experimental design and data collection
Statistical Analysis Experimental Design Eye-Tracking

Featured Projects

ML Model Optimization

Developed and optimized machine learning models for client prediction tasks, achieving 95% accuracy improvement over baseline methods.

Python Scikit-learn TensorFlow
Learn More →

Market Research Analytics

Built comprehensive analytics platforms for market research, processing millions of data points to generate actionable business insights.

Snowflake SQL / dbt Python Tableau / PowerBI
Learn More →

Replication Crisis Analysis

Doctoral research on statistical practice and replicability in psychological science, contributing to methodological improvements in the field.

R Meta-Analysis Bayesian Methods

Publications & Research

2021

DISSERTATION University of Bonn
1.1
Summa cum laude

The Replication Crisis in Psychology: Statistical and Meta-Scientific Perspectives

Harms, C. (2021). Dissertation, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.

Meta-Science Replication Crisis Statistical Methods
DOI

2020

PEER-REVIEWED Psychophysiology

Schizotypy, Neuroticism and Saccadic Eye Movements: New Data and Meta-analysis

Thomas, E., Steffens, M., Harms, C., Rossell, S., Gurvich, C., & Ettinger, U. (2020).

Eye Movements Meta-Analysis Psychophysiology
DOI

2019

PEER-REVIEWED Journal of Cognition

Cognitive measures and performance on the antisaccade eye movement task

Magnusdottir, B.B., Faiola, E., Harms, C., Sigurdsson, E., Ettinger, U., & Haraldsson, H.M. (2019). Journal of Cognition, 2(1), 3.

Cognitive Assessment Eye Movements Antisaccade
DOI PDF

2018

PEER-REVIEWED Royal Society Open Science

Does It Actually Feel Right? A Replication Attempt of the Rounded Price Effect

Harms, C., Genau, H., Meschede, C., & Beauducel, A. (2018). Royal Society Open Science, 5(4).

Replication Study Consumer Psychology Pricing
DOI PDF
PEER-REVIEWED Journal of Clinical and Translational Research

Making 'Null Effects' Informative: Statistical Techniques and Inferential Frameworks

Harms, C., & Lakens, D. (2018). Journal of Clinical and Translational Research, 3(S2), 7.

Statistical Methods Null Effects Inference
DOI PDF
PEER-REVIEWED The American Statistician

A Bayes Factor for Replications of ANOVA Results

Harms, C. (2018). The American Statistician.

Bayesian Statistics ANOVA R Package Replication
DOI PDF R Package

Conference Papers - General Online Research (GOR) 2018, Cologne

Harms, C. & Schmidt, S. Learning From All Answers: Embedding-based Topic Modeling for Open-Ended Questions PDF
Harms, C. We need to talk: Reproducibility in Online Research PDF
Harms, C. Keine Angst vor Ihrem neuen Kollegen, der Maschine (KI in der Marktforschung) PDF

2017

PEER-REVIEWED Personality and Individual Differences

Reliability and completion speed in online questionnaires under consideration of personality

Harms, C., Jackel, L., & Montag, C. (2017). Personality and Individual Differences, 111.

Online Surveys Personality Reliability Response Speed
DOI PDF

Conference Paper - General Online Research (GOR) 2017, Berlin

Harms, C. & Schmidt, S. Conversational Survey Frontends: How Can Chatbots Improve Online Surveys? PDF

2016

PEER-REVIEWED International Journal of Statistics and Probability

Reliability estimates for three factor score predictors

Beauducel, A., Harms, C., & Hilger, N. (2016). International Journal of Statistics and Probability, 5(6), 94-107.

Factor Analysis Reliability Psychometrics Statistical Methods
DOI

Conference Poster - General Online Research (GOR) 2016, Dresden

Harms, C., Jackel L., & Montag, C. Impulsiveness, Speed and Reliability in Online Questionnaires

2014

MASTER'S THESIS University of Bonn
1.2
Magna cum laude

Statistical validation of data quality using simulation methods

Harms, C. (2014). Unpublished Master's Thesis, University of Bonn, Germany.

Simulation Methods Data Quality Statistical Validation R Programming

Research Collaborations

Actively collaborating with leading researchers in reproducibility and meta-science, contributing to methodological improvements in psychological research and statistical practice.

Daniël Lakens Eindhoven University
Anne Scheel Utrecht University
Peder Isager Oslo New University College

Research & Data Science Blog

Regular insights on data science methodologies, statistical practice, and research reproducibility. Bridging academic rigor with practical applications in data science.

Visit Blog - neurotroph.de

Let's Work Together

Interested in data science solutions, speaking engagements, or collaboration opportunities?

Get In Touch

Email

mail@christopherharms.de

Company

SKOPOS ELEMENTS GmbH

Location

Cologne/Bonn Area, Germany

Available for new projects

Currently accepting consulting and speaking opportunities through SKOPOS ELEMENTS.

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