Nike Performance Innovation Lead

Applied Research And Innovation Specialist

Nike is seeking an applied research and innovation specialist with a strong foundation in sport science and experience working in elite high-performance environments to consult in the newly created Performance Innovation Lab at the National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia. The ideal candidate will combine scientific thinking with practical delivery, contributing to applied research initiatives while supporting the development and operation of the Performance Innovation Lab at US Soccer's Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, as well as other Nike initiatives and sponsored athletes. Funded in partnership with Nike, Inc., this initiative is designed to advance the science and practice of elite soccer performance across all 27-U.S. Soccer National Teamsfrom youth development through senior international competition.

This role sits at the intersection of elite applied sport science and rigorous research, and given its location, will be embedded within U.S. Soccer's daily operations while maintaining a strategic research agenda that generates new knowledge for the federation, its athletes, and the broader U.S. soccer ecosystem. As a Nike position, the role will also support select non-soccer Nike initiatives and athletes who access the facility and Performance Innovation Lab, creating cross-sport research opportunities.

This position is contracted by Nike, Inc. Although posted on U.S. Soccer's career site and based at the U.S. Soccer Arthur M. Blank National Training Center, the successful candidate will be contracted solely by Nike and will be subject to Nike's code of conduct and handbook. Collaboration with and day-to-day direction from U.S. Soccer personnel does not create an employment, joint employment, agency, or contractual relationship with U.S. Soccer, which assumes no liability for employment-related matters associated with this role. By submitting an application for this position, applicants acknowledge that this will be a one year contracted role with potential for extension and that they have read and understand this Employment Notice.

Primary Responsibilities:

Applied Research:

• Support the design and execution of applied research projects aligned with performance priorities, including data collection, analysis, and interpretation
• Develop and maintain a multi-year research agenda aligned with federation performance priorities and Nike's innovation interests
• Build longitudinal datasetsincluding biomechanical profilesspanning youth through senior levels across men's and women's programs
• Identify cross-team performance patterns, developmental benchmarks, and evidence-based recommendations for coaching and performance staff
• Pursue external collaborations with universities, research institutions, and sport science organizations to extend the reach and rigor of the research program
• Present findings to internal stakeholders, at professional conferences, and through peer reviewed publication

Practitioner Services:

• Deliver biomechanical and performance science assessments to National Teams during training camps and residencies at the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center
• Develop standardized assessment protocols and normative databases that can be administered across all 27 teams, including by other qualified staff
• Support Integrated Performance Support and Sporting staff by providing evidence-informed insights contributing to training, loading, recovery, and performance optimization decisions
• Support select Nike-sponsored athletes from other sports who access the lab and campus, facilitating cross-sport data collection and innovation
• Female 360: Contribute expertise to the design and delivery of U.S. Soccer's Female 360 health assessments and initiatives, supporting a holistic, athlete-centered approach to women's health and performance
• Contribute to the development of a scalable service model delivered through the Performance Innovation Lab (e.g., testing, profiling, applied workshops, educational visits)
• Translate research insights into practical, actionable tools and recommendations for coaching and performance staff

Lab & Campus Innovation:

• Support the procurement, commissioning, and ongoing execution of projects at the Performance Innovation Lab at the US Soccer Arthur M. Blank National Training Center
• Drive the "campus-as-lab" vision: identify opportunities to instrument training environments, integrate technology into daily operations, and turn routine activities into data collection opportunities
• Evaluate emerging technologies, methodologies, and tools for potential integration into the lab and broader campus infrastructure
• Establish data governance, quality assurance, and athlete data privacy protocols for all research and assessment activities

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in Sport Science, Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Human Movement Science, Sport Physiology, or a closely related discipline
• Minimum of 8 years of combined experience in applied sport science research and elite sport performance support, including at least 3 years in a high-performance sport environment (e.g., professional club, national federation, institute of sport)
• Experience working across both men's and women's sport programs
• Demonstrated expertise in biomechanical assessment methodologies, including experience with force platforms, 3D motion capture, inertial measurement units, and/or pressure mapping systems
• A peer-reviewed publication record that reflects both scientific rigor and applied relevance
• Experience designing and managing multi-site or multi-team research projects
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific concepts for coaches, medical staff, and organizational leadership
• Ability to operate independently with minimal supervision while navigating a complex, multistakeholder organizational environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in elite football/soccer environments at the club or international level
• Familiarity with the demands and structures of national team programs, including athlete availability constraints and multi-team coordination
• Experience with longitudinal athlete monitoring and developmental tracking across age groups
• Experience working with advanced soccer tracking technologies, including player surface interaction technology, is considered a strong advantage
• Background in or exposure to sport technology innovation, product development, or industry academic partnerships
• Proficiency with data management platforms, statistical software, and visualization tools used in applied sport science

What This Role Offers:

• A newly created role within a new, strategically significant initiative backed by both the U.S. Soccer Federation and Nike, Inc.
• Access to a purpose-built Performance Innovation Lab at a world-class National Training Center
• Unparalleled population access: 27 National Teams spanning youth through senior, men's and women's, all operating from a centralized campus
• The opportunity to build longitudinal datasets and research programs that have no existing equivalent in world football
• A platform for high-impact publication, professional visibility, and thought leadership in sport science
• Cross-sport exposure through Nike's broader athlete network and innovation ecosystem

Key Relationships:

The role maintains collaborative working relationships with National Team Integrated Performance, support staff, Nike's Sport Research Lab (NSRL) and innovation teams, and external academic and research partners.

Governance & Accountability:

The role reports into the Nike's NSRL Team in Beaverton, OR and U.S. Soccer's Performance Innovation Team in Fayetteville, GA. U.S. Soccer research priorities are set collaboratively between U.S. Soccer leadership and Nike, with a defined engagement cadence (e.g., quarterly research updates, annual innovation reviews). The role holder is expected to maintain scientific independence and ethical standards in all research activities.

Day-to-day project priorities may be coordinated with designated U.S. Soccer personnel; however, Nike retains sole responsibility for all contract-related matters. Nothing in this reporting or collaborative structure shall be interpreted as creating an employment relationship between the employee and U.S. Soccer.

To Apply:

Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae, a cover letter addressing their vision for the role, and the names of three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Nike is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce.

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