Head of Sport Science

Strava; United States; Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Strava seeks a Head of Sport Science to drive scientific validation and safety for its fitness products and to lead the applied research agenda that informs product decisions. You will manage academic partnerships, shape data strategies, and grow a team over time.

You'll collaborate with AI/ML, Data Science, Product, Public Policy, and Legal to ensure scientifically defensible models and insights. This role combines research leadership with strategic partnerships in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• MD, PhD or equivalent in exercise physiology, sports science, biomechanics, or related field.
• Experience translating science into product decisions.
• Experience managing external academic or clinical partnerships.
• Comfort collaborating with data science and ML teams; coding not required.
• Experience building a team from first hire.
• Experience presenting scientific work externally (papers, talks).
• Endurance or running research experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own ongoing scientific validation and safety review of Runna's and the company's fitness products.
• Manage and grow academic partnerships with Stanford University and Loughborough University.
• Define data and label strategy for model insights, partnering with Data Science and AI/ML.
• Partner with Runna's coaching team on a recurring review cadence.
• Build out the Sport Science team and an external academic advisory council.
• Represent the company's scientific credibility in external settings, from published research to conference talks.

Skills

Sport science leadership

Academic partnerships

Data science liaison

Scientific communication

Team building

Education

MD/PhD or equivalent

Job description

About StravaStrava is the app for active people. With over 200 million athletes in more than 185 countries, it’s more than tracking workouts—it’s where people make progress together, from new habits to new personal bests. No matter your sport or how you track it, the company’s got you covered. Find your crew, crush your goals, and make every effort count. Start your journey with the company today.

Our mission is simple: to motivate people to live their best active lives. We believe in the power of movement to connect and drive people forward.

About This RoleSport Science sits outside Product, Tech, and Runna, reporting directly to the CEO. The team is responsible for the ongoing scientific validation and safety of the company’s and Runna's fitness products, and for the applied research agenda that pushes forward the science of sport and fitness.

As Head of Sport Science, you'll own two things at once: the ongoing scientific validation and safety review of Runna's and the company’s fitness products, and the applied research agenda behind them. You'll manage and grow academic partnerships, define the data and benchmarks needed to make our models' insights scientifically defensible, and grow a team over time. You'll work closely with the coaching team, AI/ML, Data Science, Product, Public Policy, and Legal.

We follow a flexible hybrid model that translates to more than half of your time on-site in our San Francisco office, three days per week.

What You'll Do:

• Own the ongoing scientific validation and safety review of Runna's and the company's fitness products, starting with the open items in an active academic audit
• Manage and grow academic partnerships with Stanford University and Loughborough University, and scope new partnerships as needed
• Define the data and label strategy, such as perceived exertion, injury history, and sleep, that makes our models' insights scientifically defensible, partnering closely with Data Science and AI/ML
• Partner with Runna's coaching team on a recurring review cadence, serving as the scientific authority on disputed questions about the application of science in coaching
• Build out the Sport Science team, plus an external academic advisory council, over time
• Represent the company's scientific credibility in external settings, from published research to occasional conference talks.

What You’ll Bring to the Team:

• An MD, PhD, or equivalent applied track record in exercise physiology, sports science, biomechanics, sports medicine, or a closely related field
• Substantial experience combining peer-reviewed research with applied work in industry, elite sport, or a research-focused sports medicine setting, translating science into product decisions
• A track record of managing external academic or clinical partnerships, including agreements, multi-institution collaborations, and ethics-related governance
• Comfort partnering with data science and ML teams to translate research questions into model and data requirements is a plus, though you won't need to write code yourself
• Experience building a team or function from its first hire is a plus
• A track record of representing scientific work externally, such as a paper, a conference talk, or a podcast, is a plus
• Endurance or running-specific research experience is a plus, though not required

Why Join Us?

Movement brings us together. At the company, we’re building the world’s largest community of active people, helping them stay motivated and achieve their goals.

Our global team is passionate about making movement fun, meaningful, and accessible to everyone. Whether you’re shaping the technology, growing our community, or driving innovation, your work at the company makes an impact.

When you join the company, you’re not just joining a company—you’re joining a movement. If you’re ready to bring your energy, ideas, and drive, let’s build something incredible together.

the company builds software that makes the best part of our athletes’ days even better. Just as we’re deeply committed to unlocking their potential, we’re dedicated to providing a world-class, inclusive workplace where our employees can grow and thrive, too. We’re backed by Sequoia Capital, TCV, Madrone Partners and Jackson Square Ventures, and we’re expanding in order to exceed the needs of our growing community of global athletes. Our culture reflects our community. We are continuously striving to hire and engage teammates from all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives because we know we are a stronger team together.

the company is an equal opportunity employer. In keeping with the values of the company, we make all employment decisions including hiring, evaluation, termination, promotional and training opportunities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, physical handicap, mental disability, medical condition, disability, gender or identity or expression, pregnancy or pregnancy‑related condition, marital status, height and/or weight.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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