Nike Performance Innovation Lead

UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION 1•Atlanta, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

U.S. Soccer is establishing a Performance Innovation Lab at its new National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia. 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 Teams—from youth development through senior international competition. Nike is seeking an applied research and innovation specialist with a strong foundation in sport science and experience working in elite high-performance environments. 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. 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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

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 datasets—including biomechanical profiles—spanning 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
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
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
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