Applied Performance Scientist

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Ilitch Sports + Entertainment is seeking an Applied Performance Scientist to lead workload monitoring and integrate data into decision-making across performance, medical, and coaching teams.

The role requires a master's in a relevant field, 3+ years with elite athletes, and proficiency in SQL, R, and Python. You will drive research to reduce injury risk and enhance on-field performance through data-informed processes.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Data Science or related field.
• 3+ years of applied Performance Science with elite athletes and NSCA CPSS or CSCS.
• Experience in workload monitoring, performance testing, and strength and conditioning.
• Excellent knowledge of baseball concepts and direct work with players and coaches.
• Excellent communication skills to align stakeholders across departments.
• Strong systems thinking and ability to build efficient data, technology, and people workflows.
• Strong analytical skills with SQL, R, Python.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment; flexible hours to meet baseball calendar.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of standardized workload monitoring framework informing readiness and workload decisions.
• Collaborate with Medical, Rehab, Strength & Conditioning and Performance Science to design integrated processes.
• Monitor workload trends, flag injury risk, support playing time projections.
• Support in-season physical testing and profiling, integrate results with workload and game-demand data.
• Support injury risk modeling and broader research initiatives to improve understanding.
• Complete ad-hoc analyses and generate reports with actionable insights across the organization.
• Drive applied research to understand player availability and on-field performance outcomes.
• Monitor emerging best practices and adopt relevant advancements to stay competitive.
• Continuously improve internal systems, workflows, and communication.

Skills

SQL

R

Python

Data analysis

Mathematical modeling

Education

Master's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Data Science or related field

Tools

NSCA CSCS/CPSS certification

Job description

Job Summary

The Applied Performance Scientist is responsible for managing scalable workload monitoring frameworks and integrating this data into decision-making workflows across the organization. The position will drive research to better understand and anticipate injury risk, while also advancing applied research that links physical preparation to on-field performance. This role works closely with performance, medical, and coaching staff to ensure consistent, data-informed processes across all environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a standardized workload monitoring framework that informs athlete readiness and workload decisions, with an emphasis on data interpretation, education, and application across performance, medical, and coaching groups.
• Collaborate across all areas of Health and Performance, including Medical, Rehab, Strength & Conditioning, and Performance Science, to design and maintain integrated processes that align physical, mechanical, workload, and performance information to support consistent, evidence-based decision-making.
• Monitor team and individual workload trends, flag elevated injury risk or underperformance, support playing time projections, and communicate trends proactively.
• Support in-season physical testing and profiling, integrating results with workload and game-demand data, to flag when a player's capacity and demand don't match.
• Support player evaluation through physical profiling and benchmarking against positional and level-specific norms, to inform acquisition and development.
• Support injury risk modeling and drive broader research initiatives to improve the organization's ability to understand, anticipate, and mitigate injury risk.
• Complete ad-hoc analysis and generate reports as directed, deriving applied insights from the data to support development and performance goals across the organization.
• Drive applied research efforts that advance the organization's understanding of player availability and on-field performance outcomes.
• Monitor emerging best practices and innovations in performance science, integrating relevant advancements to maintain a competitive edge.
• Continuously evaluate and improve internal systems, workflows, and communication to enhance efficiency and impact.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Master's in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Data Science or related field required.
• 3+ years applied Performance Science experience with elite athletes (pro, collegiate or Olympic) with NSCA CPSS or CSCS.
• Extensive experience in workload monitoring, performance testing, and strength and conditioning preferred; a background in mathematics or data science, particularly modeling, is a plus.
• Excellent knowledge of baseball concepts, with experience working directly with players and coaches.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to align stakeholders and facilitate productive collaboration across departments.
• Strong systems thinking, with experience building efficient workflows that integrate data, technology, and people.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency with data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, R, Python).
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment, with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as the baseball calendar requires.

Working Conditions

• Office environment.
• Evening, weekend, and holiday hours required.
• Based in Lakeland, FL, or Detroit, MI, with periodic travel.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Detroit Tigers is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to that individual's race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship or any other characteristic protected by law.

Accommodation Statement

The Company will strive to provide reasonable accommodations to permit qualified applicants who have a need for an accommodation to participate in the hiring process (e.g., accommodations for a job interview) if so requested.

Privacy Policy

Ilitch Companies and our colleagues are committed to being the best in all that we do - whether it's providing a delicious, quality meal from Little Caesars, delivering fresh food to our Little Caesars restaurants, baking quality food products at Champion Foods, supporting world-class teams like the Detroit Red Wings and Detroit Tigers or offering unforgettable live entertainment at top-rated venues like Little Caesars Arena, the Fox Theatre, Pine Knob and other area locations.

About the Company

Formed in 1901, and a charter member of the American League, the Detroit Tigers have won four World Series and 11 American League Championships. Since being purchased by the Ilitch family in 1992, the club has made two World Series appearances, established record-setting attendance, and played host to the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The Tigers have developed a young core of talent through the Major League Baseball Draft, intentional free agency, and player trades, while implementing a long-term strategy focused on sustainable success. In 2022, Chris Ilitch, chairman and CEO of the Detroit Tigers, hired Scott Harris as the club’s President of Baseball Operations.