Head of Sport Science and Applied Research

Strava; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Strava is seeking a Head of Sport Science to lead scientific validation and safety review of our fitness products, while guiding the applied research agenda behind Runna and Strava.

You will manage academic partnerships, define data strategies, and grow a team over time. The role collaborates with Data Science, AI/ML, Product, Public Policy, and Legal in a flexible hybrid setup with on-site time in San Francisco three days per week.

Qualifications

• MD, PhD, or equivalent applied track record in exercise physiology, sports science.
• Experience translating science into product decisions.
• Experience managing external academic or clinical partnerships.
• Comfort partnering with data science and ML teams to translate research questions into model/data requirements.
• Experience building a team or function from its first hire.
• Track record of representing scientific work externally (papers, talks, podcasts).
• Endurance or running-specific research experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own ongoing scientific validation and safety review of Strava's fitness products.
• Manage and grow academic partnerships (Stanford University, Loughborough University) and scope new ones.
• Define data/label strategy with Data Science and AI/ML teams.
• Partner with coaching team on scientific reviews of coaching applications.
• Build out the Sport Science team and an external advisory council.
• Represent Strava's scientific credibility in external settings (papers, talks).

Skills

Scientific leadership

Academic partnerships

Product collaboration

Data collaboration

Team building

Education

MD, PhD, or equivalent

Job description

Strava is seeking a Head of Sport Science to lead scientific validation and safety review of our fitness products, while guiding the applied research agenda behind Runna and Strava.

You will manage academic partnerships, define data strategies, and grow a team over time. The role collaborates with Data Science, AI/ML, Product, Public Policy, and Legal in a flexible hybrid setup with on-site time in San Francisco three days per week.