Lead Researcher

Become a Part of the NIKE, Inc. Team 

NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world’s best athletes. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and innovators. At Nike, it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game!

The Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL) is a multidisciplinary team of researchers, innovators, and scientists who lead with science to make athletes* measurably better. We deliver proven insights and state-of-the-art capabilities to drive the future of Nike products and services. The NSRL Footwear Research team conducts research that provides insights leading to innovative footwear and measurable benefits for athlete. We apply scientific and research results to drive new footwear concepts and performance hypotheses across multiple innovation teams.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

As a Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL) Footwear Lead Researcher, you will be responsible for executing research studies that validate the performance of Nike’s highest priority footwear models, and will provide Nike’s Footwear Product Creation team with insights and recommendations for design modifications on a monthly basis. You will:

• Work closely with our Senior Footwear Research Manager to build visions and plans for footwear testing that supports Nike’s needs
• Interact regularly with many different members of the Product Creation team to understand their challenges and how footwear research can help
• Execute well powered research studies with the aid of Senior Researchers within tightly established timelines
• Present and discuss/vet new lab results with NSRL Footwear Researchers
• Communicate research findings and product design recommendations to non-scientific business partners (Product Creation team)
• Become a resident subject matter authority for all of the biomechanical research tools used by the Nike Sport Research Lab staff
• Participate in the development of new tools, methods and procedures that will streamline data acquisition
• Demonstrate Nike’s dedication to product performance research through attendance at scientific meetings, clinics and conferences

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

This NSRL role will report to the Footwear Research Director, and will work under the supervision of the NSRL Senior Footwear Research Manager in support of our Footwear Testing portfolio. On a weekly basis you will most frequently interact with Footwear Researchers and Footwear Product Creators.  

WHAT YOU BRING

• B.Sc + 4 years of related experience, M.Sc. + 2 years of related experience, or PhD. in Biomechanics or a related field (e.g. Engineering, Kinesiology, Human Factors, or Ergonomics)
• Possess a thorough understanding of anatomy, biomechanical principles, experimental design, and statistical procedures
• Demonstrate an understanding of sport performance & injury mechanisms
• Experience being a creative scientist – ability to apply scientific insights to performance product, and ability to problem solve are key
• Significant experience writing programs to process and analyze biomechanical data (Python is strongly preferred).
• Advanced knowledge and experience with in-lab and field-based tools used to collect biomechanical data (e.g. motion capture, force plates, pressure insoles, IMUs, etc.)
• Experience using research to directly impact consumer products and/or product creation
• Ability to run multiple projects with multiple stakeholders simultaneously
• Good communication, people, and collaboration skills
• Experience working with human test subjects
• Knowledge of footwear and the product creation processes is a plus
• Experience running a focused research program is a plus
• Ability to travel up to 10%