Fellow - Performance Science

Tepper Sports & Entertainment•Charlotte, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Performance Science Fellow is a developmental role within Charlotte FC’s High-Performance Department for aspiring practitioners with prior exposure to elite sport who want to develop the competencies needed for a full-time Performance Scientist position. This structured five-month fellowship provides hands-on experience in the Academy, opportunities to observe and assist in the Second Team and First Team environments, and a capstone project presented at the conclusion of the fellowship. The Fellow works closely with the club’s Performance Scientist and reports directly to the Head of Performance Science, contributing to daily performance operations, athlete monitoring, and applied sport science initiatives while learning club standards and integrated processes. The Academy is the Fellow’s primary assignment from January through June. The role supports athlete readiness and training-load monitoring, physical testing, data management and reporting, and consistent sport science processes across the club’s teams. The Fellow also observes performance workflows and multidisciplinary collaboration at the Second Team and First Team levels. The anticipated fellowship duration is January 15, 2027, through June 15, 2027.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in Sport Science, Kinesiology, Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning, or a related field.
Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certification from NSCA.
Prior experience in an elite sporting environment, such as a professional team, NCAA Division I program, or tactical setting; experience may be through an internship, part-time, or contract work.
Current CPR/First Aid/AED certification.
Valid US driver’s license and passport.
Must pass pre-employment screens.
Ability to use Microsoft Suite products.
Clear, professional communication and confidence presenting to staff and stakeholders.
High attention to detail, reliability, and a collaborative, team-first mindset.
Ability to work under pressure with a positive attitude while maintaining confidentiality.
Ability to work non-traditional hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, for certain team training sessions and matches.
Must be able to lift and carry up to 30 pounds; sit at a desk and computer for up to six hours; and stand or walk for up to six hours.
Ability to work indoors and outdoors and endure weather conditions, including rain, wind, and high and low temperatures.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Familiarity with athlete-monitoring technologies, such as Catapult GPS or equivalent, force plates, and wellness platforms.
NSCA CPSS certification or progress toward it.
Experience with performance science technologies, including force plates, velocity-based training devices, and isometric strength testing and training.
Strong interest in soccer and Long-Term Athlete Development.

Responsibilities

Assist with and conduct foundational athlete monitoring, physical testing, and training-load processes in the Academy; help implement age-appropriate development protocols and contribute to matchday routines as assigned.
Support daily athlete readiness and training-load monitoring using GPS, wellness platforms, force plates, VBT, and the club’s Athlete Management System (AMS).
Assist with standardized testing protocols, including neuromuscular testing, strength diagnostics, and range-of-motion assessments, and ensure high-quality data capture.
Clean, organize, analyze, and quality-check performance data, including GPS, wearable, and physical-testing data, within the club’s AMS.
Assist in building, maintaining, and updating routine AMS reports and dashboards; produce concise reports and visuals for coaching, performance, and medical staff to inform training, selection, and recovery decisions.
Maintain documentation of workflows, standard operating procedures, and rotational learnings to support alignment across the Academy, Second Team, and First Team.
Work alongside the Performance Scientist to apply consistent sport science standards and protocols across all levels.
Observe Second Team performance science practices, including individualization, training and recovery strategies, rehabilitation and return-to-play, and pathway-wide protocol alignment and data analysis.
Observe First Team performance workflows, technologies, data analysis and reporting, multidisciplinary meetings, and collaboration across Performance and Sports Medicine.
Support equipment logistics, including device preparation, charging, and calibration, as well as testing setups and post-session breakdown.
Prepare and present a capstone project with actionable recommendations to department staff and relevant stakeholders in June.
Engage in mentorship and internal education sessions; contribute to monthly deliverables based on the club’s Performance Science learning curriculum.
Maintain a reflective learning journal, set quarterly development goals, and incorporate feedback into practice.
Contribute to knowledge-sharing through short presentations or internal memos that help unify processes across the pathway.
Maintain complete confidentiality of privileged or sensitive information and consistently display the character and values of the Tepper Sports & Entertainment brand.