Lead Clinical Exercise Physiologist (Term Position)

Michigan Medicine; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Retirement match

Job summary

Michigan Medicine and AMSI seek a Lead Clinical Exercise Physiologist to serve as the primary technical lead for athlete testing and NIH study protocols. The role blends high-performance testing with clinical exercise physiology in a four-year term, supporting researchers and partners.

You will oversee lab equipment, collect and analyze VO2 max and running economy data, and mentor students while translating findings into actionable insights for product development and grant reporting.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, or related field.
• 3–5 years hands-on metabolic testing and indirect calorimetry experience.
• ACSM-CEP, RCEP or equivalent certification required.

Responsibilities

• Lead setup and maintenance of physiology equipment including Cosmed carts and ECG systems.
• Collect and analyze in-lab and field exercise testing data for athletes and NIH studies.
• Translate findings into actionable insights for partners and grant reporting.
• Mentor and supervise students on AMSI and NIH projects.

Skills

Metabolic testing

Indirect calorimetry

ECG interpretation

Data analysis

Autonomy

Mentorship

Education

Master’s degree in Kinesiology

Tools

Cosmed metabolic cart

12-lead ECG systems

Lactate testing

Lab equipment troubleshooting

Job description

Mission Statement

Michigan Medicine improves the health of patients, populations and communities through excellence in education, patient care, community service, research and technology development, and through leadership activities in Michigan, nationally and internationally. Our mission is guided by our Strategic Principles and has three critical components; patient care, education and research that together enhance our contribution to society.

Job Summary

The ASICS x Michigan Sport Innovation Center (AMSI) is a groundbreaking partnership dedicated to redefining the boundaries of athletic performance and sport science. By uniting ASICS? global leadership in footwear and apparel with the University of Michigan?s world-class research ecosystem, AMSI creates a unique environment for discovery?where art, science, and engineering converge to spark transformative breakthroughs.

AMSI, in collaboration with the High Performance Athlete Innovation Laboratory (HAIL), has an immediate opportunity for an exceptional Lead Clinical Exercise Physiologist to serve as our primary technical lead. This position will be split between supporting high-performance athlete testing for AMSI, and executing clinical exercise testing protocols for an NIH-funded study evaluating the interaction between aerobic exercise and bone health.

This is a four-year term position.

Responsibilities

• Lab Setup & Technical Management: Lead the technical setup, integration, calibration, and routine troubleshooting of advanced physiology equipment. This includes Cosmed metabolic carts/indirect calorimetry (Quark, K5), wireless 12-lead ECG systems, lactate testing, and other relevant exercise physiology equipment
• Data Collection & Analysis: Collect and analyze exercise testing data in-lab and in-field with a heavy emphasis on distance running. Execute maximum and sub-maximum exercise protocols (VO2max, threshold testing, running economy testing) across elite athletes and research cohorts. Handle blood sampling testing including lactate (required) and phlebotomy/blood draw (preferred) processing.
• Dissemination and Translation: Participate in development of high-impact manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, present research findings at national/international professional conferences, and translate complex scientific data into actionable insights for corporate design partners and federal grant reporting.
• Mentorship & Project Operations: Oversee the day-to-day project and operational workflows. Supervise, mentor, and review the work of undergraduate and graduate students working on AMSI and NIH projects.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree in Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Clinical Physiology, Exercise Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Expertise in Human Energetics: Minimum of 3-5 years of substantial hands-on experience independently executing metabolic testing, indirect calorimetry calibration, and advanced data processing ( kinetics, substrate oxidation formulas). Turn-key capability to troubleshoot metabolic hardware and software.
• Clinical Monitoring Skills: Complete competency in running, reading, and evaluating 12-lead Electrocardiograms (ECG/EKG) during maximal exertion, sub-maximum exercise testing, and resting metabolic testing.
• Autonomy: Proven ability to operate with a high degree of independence, solve complex technical/equipment problems without direct supervision, and manage multiple study timelines concurrently.
• Clinical Certifications: Active certification as an ACSM Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP), Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist (RCEP) or equivalent clinical exercise credential.
• Passion for Sport & Performance Innovation: A deep, intrinsic passion for sports, athletic culture, and human performance science. The ideal candidate must be highly driven by real-world athletic outcomes, showing a genuine motivation to help athletes optimize their physiology and achieve their highest competitive potential while seeing their research directly translate into cutting-edge product development.

Desired Qualifications

• Phlebotomy Experience: Active certification or clear demonstrated experience with venipuncture/phlebotomy.
• Athletic Experience: Experience working in collegiate, elite, or high performance sport populations, with a preferred focus on distance running
• Scientific Communication: A strong peer-reviewed publication footprint and demonstrated experience in abstract and manuscript preparation.

Why Join Michigan Medicine

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world?s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

What Benefits can you Look Forward to

• Excellent medical, dental and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

Please note: This will be a 4 year, term-limited appointment. At the end of the stated term, your appointment will terminate, and will not be eligible for Reduction-in-Force (RIF) benefits. This term-limited appointment does not create a contract or guarantee of employment for any period of time as you will remain subject to disciplinary or other performance measures, up to and including termination, at the will of the University in accordance with existing University policy and standards for employee performance and conduct.

Contact Information

Questions About The Position Should Be Directed To

Ken Kozloff, PhD

Steven A. Goldstein Collegiate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery

Co-Director, ASICS x Michigan Sport Innovation Center

Co-Director, University of Michigan Human Performance & Sport Science Center

[email protected]

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.