Senior Human Performance Researcher. - Data Collection

Nike • Beaverton, OR

9d

About The Position

The Senior Human Performance Researcher will plan and execute applied, athlete-centric research focused on performance and protection in sport as part of Nike’s Sport Research Lab (NSRL), specifically the Athlete Guidance team. The role partners with researchers and teams across the Lab, as well as digital technology, engineering, data science, service design, and innovation teams. Research may take place in the lab, in the field, or remotely, with athletes of different levels and backgrounds.

The researcher contributes across the research lifecycle, including study planning, protocol development, recruiting, athlete interaction, data collection, data conditioning, analysis, interpretation, and reporting. The role also develops tools and methods, including hardware and software as needed, to improve data acquisition, research quality, and athlete insight. It requires expertise in sensor technologies and analysis tools, the ability to translate research into actionable recommendations, and clear communication of findings to technical and non-technical audiences.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in biomechanics, bioengineering, exercise science, kinesiology, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of research experience with human participants or athletes in laboratory, field, or remote settings.
• Deep knowledge of biomechanics, experimental design, statistical methods, and human movement data.
• Hands-on experience with human movement technologies, such as foot and body scanners, instrumented treadmills, pressure mapping, force plates, marker-based or markerless motion capture, inertial measurement units, electromyography, and other wearable sensors.
• Proficiency in Python or similar tools for data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting research equipment, software, diagnostic tools, or electrical systems.
• Curiosity, initiative, attention to detail, and comfort working independently amid ambiguity.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex topics to technical and non-technical audiences.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Databricks, Visual3D, OpenSim, or musculoskeletal modeling.
• Industry research experience.
• Experience in running or lateral sports.

Responsibilities

• Aid in designing, preparing, and executing biomechanical data collections in the lab, on the field, and through remote studies with athletes of different levels and backgrounds.
• Own key elements of the research process, including protocols, recruiting, study administration, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
• Serve as the primary researcher responsible for calibrating, operating, synchronizing, and troubleshooting data collection equipment.
• Help interpret results and produce and share credible, decision-ready insights for physical and digital product innovation.
• Assist with preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of software, research equipment, diagnostic tools, and electrical systems.
• Observe, gather, and share feedback to improve research processes and athlete interactions.
• Apply computational biomechanics fundamentals to the analysis and interpretation of human movement data.
• Develop tools and methods, including hardware and software as needed, to improve data acquisition, research quality, and athlete insight.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior