Head of Sports Science

IUSCA; Sydney; On-site; AUD 125,000 - 144,000; Full time

Job summary

IUSCA seeks a senior applied sports-science expert to lead monitoring for the Sydney Roosters' NRL programme, overseeing GPS/GNSS workloads, VALD-based neuromuscular testing and recovery profiling. Collaborate with data engineers to ensure high-integrity performance datasets and translate insights into coaching decisions.

Work with medical staff to establish objective return-to-play milestones and support player availability.

Qualifications

• Senior level ESSA accreditation emphasized.
• Advanced degree preferred (masters/PhD).
• Experience with elite NRL or professional sport environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead applied sports-science monitoring and data translation.
• Oversee GPS/GNSS workload monitoring and recovery profiling.
• Collaborate with data engineers to maintain high-integrity datasets.
• Translate analytics into coaching decisions and return-to-play milestones.

Skills

Applied sports science

Data interpretation

Performance analytics

GPS/GNSS monitoring

Return-to-play planning

Education

Master's degree in Sports Science

PhD in related field

ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Level 1 or 2

Tools

VALD system

GPS/GNSS tools

Job description

Moore Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Closing Date

31 October 2026

Classification

Job Summary

Lead applied sports-science monitoring, athlete tracking and performance-data interpretation for the Sydney Roosters' NRL programme. Oversee GPS/GNSS workload monitoring, VALD-based neuromuscular testing and recovery and readiness profiling. Collaborate with data engineers to maintain high-integrity performance datasets and translate statistical insights into coaching decisions. Work with medical and rehabilitation staff to establish objective return-to-play milestones and support player availability and physical preparation.

Level 6. The role owns the applied sports-science monitoring and data-translation function for an NRL first-team environment, including GPS/GNSS workloads, fatigue and readiness profiling, analytics and return-to-play metrics. It advises the Head of Performance and Head Coach but the advert does not establish direct line management, budget ownership or department-wide strategic authority. The specialist title and high technical complexity therefore support senior autonomous Level 6 practice. Employer certification requirement: ESSA Accredited Sports Scientist Level 1 or 2; a master's degree or PhD is highly regarded rather than stated as essential.

Associated IUSCA IQF Certification

IUSCA IQF Level 6 Accredited International Strength and Conditioning Practitioner (aISCP)

Salary and Role Alignment

Grey. The advertised salary is not disclosed, so salary alignment cannot be fully assessed under the IUSCA IQF Role Classification & Salary Alignment methodology. IUSCA Indicative Minimum Salary Benchmark: AUD $125,000 per year plus superannuation. This reflects high-level autonomous scientific responsibility in professional NRL, specialist data and technology expertise, live load-management decisions and multidisciplinary return-to-play input; formal staff-management duties are not established.

This role has been classified by IUSCA using publicly available information at the time of review and the published IQF Role Classification & Salary Alignment methodology. The IQF classification, salary alignment assessment and associated IUSCA IQF certification represent IUSCA's assessment of the advertised role. They do not alter or replace the employer's stated qualification, certification or eligibility requirements and do not imply employer endorsement, approval of, or affiliation with IUSCA. Vacancy information may change, and applicants should review and verify the original employer advert before applying.