Senior Human Performance Researcher. - Data Collection

Nike; Beaverton (OR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodations during interview

Job summary

Nike NSRL is seeking a Senior Researcher to plan and execute applied biomechanics research focused on performance and protection in sport. You will lead hands-on data collection, wearables, and analysis to inform product development and athlete insight.

You’ll work across the research lifecycle, partnering with technology, engineering, and data science teams to translate findings into actionable recommendations for Nike products and athlete experiences.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biomechanics, bioengineering, exercise science, kinesiology, or related field.
• 3+ years of research experience with human participants or athletes across lab, field, or remote settings.
• Deep knowledge of biomechanics, experimental design, statistical methods, and human movement data.
• Hands-on experience with human movement technologies and wearable sensors.
• Proficiency in Python or similar tools for data collection, processing, and analysis; experience with Databricks, Visual3D, OpenSim, or musculoskeletal modeling preferred.

Responsibilities

• Aid in design, preparation and execution of biomechanical data collections in-lab, on field, and via remote studies.
• Own key elements of the research process including protocols, recruiting, study administration, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
• Be the primary researcher responsible for calibration, operation, synchronization, and troubleshooting of data collection equipment.
• Interpret results to produce credible, decision-ready insights for product innovation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot software and diagnostic tools and observe feedback to improve processes.
• Apply computational biomechanics foundations to analysis of human movement data.

Skills

Biomechanics

Experimental design

Data analysis

Python

Education

Master’s degree in biomechanics

Tools

Databricks

Visual3D

OpenSim

Job description

Who You’ll Work With

The Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL) is a multidisciplinary team of researchers, innovators, scientists, engineers, and data experts who lead with science to make athletes* measurably better. Our insights and capabilities shape Nike products, services, and athlete experiences.

Who You’ll Work With

The Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL) is a multidisciplinary team of researchers, innovators, scientists, engineers, and data experts who lead with science to make athletes* measurably better. Our insights and capabilities shape Nike products, services, and athlete experiences.

This role sits on the Athlete Guidance team, which studies and serves athletes of all levels in the Lab and in the environments where they train, compete, and live. You will partner across the Lab and with digital technology, engineering, data science, service design, and innovation teams.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for a passionate and versatile Senior Researcher to plan and execute applied, athlete-centric research focused on performance and protection in sport. The ideal candidate combines a strong foundation in human movement science with hands‑on experience in biomechanics, in‑person and field‑based data collection, wearable sensors, data analysis, and athlete consultation.

You are a creative and methodical problem solver who can manage multiple projects, work independently in ambiguity, and communicate complex findings clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.

What You’ll Work On

You will work across the research lifecycle, from study planning, protocol development, and recruiting through athlete interaction, data collection, data conditioning, analysis, interpretation, and reporting. You will also develop tools and methods (including hardware and software design, as needed) that improve data acquisition, research quality, and athlete insight.

You will build expertise in sensor technologies and analysis tools, translate research into actionable recommendations, and see how the Lab’s work serves athletes* and shapes the future of sport.

Key Responsibilities

• Aid in the design, preparation and execution of biomechanical data collections in-lab, on field, and via remote studies with athletes of different levels and backgrounds.
• Own key elements of the research process, including protocols, recruiting, study administration, data collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting.
• Be the primary researcher responsible for calibration, operation, synchronization, and troubleshooting of data collection equipment.
• Aid in the interpretation of results to produce and share credible, decision‑ready insights for physical and digital product innovation.
• Aid in preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of software, research equipment, and diagnostic tools, including electrical systems.
• Observe, gather, and share feedback to improve research processes and athlete interactions.
• Apply foundations of computational biomechanics to analysis and interpretation of human movement data.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in biomechanics, bioengineering, exercise science, kinesiology, or a related field.
• 3+ years of research experience with human participants or athletes across laboratory, field, or remote settings.
• Deep knowledge of biomechanics, experimental design, statistical methods, and human movement data.
• Hands‑on experience with human movement technologies, such as foot and body scanners, instrumented treadmills, pressure mapping, force plates, marker‑based or markerless motion capture, inertial measurement units, electromyography, and other wearable sensors.
• Proficiency in Python or similar tools for data collection, processing, and analysis. Experience with Databricks, Visual3D, OpenSim, or musculoskeletal modeling strongly preferred.
• Experience maintaining and troubleshooting research equipment, software, diagnostic tools, or electrical systems.
• Demonstrated curiosity, initiative, attention to detail, and comfort working independently in ambiguity.
• Industry research and experience in running or lateral sports strongly preferred.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to deliver high‑quality work in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, including explaining complex topics to technical and non‑technical audiences.

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in‑person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you discover, as you navigate our application process, that you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Candidate Accommodation Request Form.