High Performance Physiologist

U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association•Park City, UT

16h•Onsite

About The Position

This role is central to the development and execution of evidence-based training and performance strategies across all phases of the annual training cycle. The High Performance Physiologist will support training planning, performance strategy, and athlete development through consultation on training methodology, physiology, recovery, and performance optimization. The successful candidate will work directly with athletes and coaches to optimize physiological adaptation, monitor athlete readiness, and drive performance outcomes at the national and international level.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher in Exercise Physiology, Human Performance, or a closely related field
Minimum 5 years of experience working with elite endurance athletes
Demonstrated proficiency in physiological testing, athlete monitoring, and data analysis
Expertise in endurance training theory and periodization
Experience with lactate testing, metabolic analysis systems, and athlete monitoring platforms
Strong understanding and experience applying principles of altitude physiology and heat/cold environment considerations
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Successful candidate must be able to repeatedly lift 50 pounds and work in potentially adverse weather conditions outdoors for many hours.
Ability to travel domestically and internationally for training camps and competitions

Nice To Haves

Experience working specifically with cross country skiers or other Nordic athletes
ACSM, CASES, ESSA or equivalent professional certification
Experience with workload (e.g. GPS, IMU, power) data analysis
Competency in a statistical or data analysis platform (R, Python, SPSS, or similar)

Responsibilities

Design and conduct regular physiological assessments
Implement and support management of athlete monitoring systems to track training performance, readiness, and fatigue
Maintain a longitudinal database of athlete physiological data and provide trend analysis to coaches and high performance staff
Conduct sport-specific on-snow and off-snow assessments aligned with competition demands
Collaborate with coaches to support the design and periodization of training programs that maximize aerobic capacity, muscular endurance, and sport & discipline-specific power
Provide physiologically informed guidance on training load, intensity distribution, and recovery
Support altitude/heat training and advise on acclimatization strategies and training adjustments
Contribute to individualized athlete development plans in alignment with long-term athletic development frameworks
Advise on warm-up and pre-competition physiological preparation protocols
Provide on-site physiological support at national and international competitions as required
Analyze race and training data post-competition to inform ongoing programming decisions
Stay current with applied research in endurance sport physiology, particularly cross country skiing and related Nordic disciplines
Identify and evaluate emerging technologies and methods for performance assessment and monitoring
Identify and support research opportunities with our HP Partners that will support performance in our endurance athletes.
Deliver education sessions to athletes and coaches on physiology, training theory, and recovery
Work with Sport staff, Club programs, and High Performance team to support world-class program focused on athlete health and performance.
Operate within allocated budget