Apparel Principal Researcher, Nike Sport Research Lab

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Job description

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 validated insights and state-of-the-art capabilities to drive the future of Nike products and services. The NSRL Apparel Research team conducts research that provides insights leading to innovative apparel solutions that have measurable and palpable benefits for all athletes*. As diverse as our athletes are, our evidence-based solutions meet the constantly evolving demands of sport and life. We apply scientific methods and research results to drive new apparel concepts and platforms across multiple innovation teams.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are seeking a Principal Researcher to lead the research vision, strategy and implementation for Apparel across our Support and Protect research programs. Whether for performance, protection, comfort or motivation, you will drive a portfolio of research aimed at understanding the product and service levers that can provide measurable and palpable benefits for athletes across gender, sport and geographies.
The Apparel Principal Researcher will:

• Be tasked to build and lead a robust research agenda aimed at gathering, proving, and applying objective insights to drive new apparel concepts and prototypes across different innovation teams.
• Lead a team to conduct groundbreaking, independent research focusing on athletes of all levels.
• Lead as a creative scientist, questioning methods, results and applications.
• Think outside normal paradigms to find creative ways around barriers to improving performance, mitigating injury risk, enhancing comfort, and instilling confidence.
• Seek innovative ways to perform research and develop new data collection and analytical tools.
• Display an entrepreneurial spirit.

A successful candidate will demonstrate at an expert level:

• Skills and ability to conduct research and apply scientific insights, specifically related to human movement science (biomechanics, ergonomics, physiology, neuromechanics, etc).
• Knowledge of the scientific method, including but not limited to: observation, formulation of testable hypotheses, experimental design, statistical methods, and analysis and interpretation of results.
• Ability to apply scientific insights to influence innovative Apparel solutions
• Understanding of, and ability to use and troubleshoot all existing tools commonly used in sport science analyses.
• Ability to develop new tools and/or methods for answering scientific inquiry.
• Ability to communicate sophisticated scientific topics to a diverse, non-technical audience.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

• Develop and direct a portfolio of research projects for Apparel Innovation, running both internal cross functional teams and external research partners and programs.
• Conduct research to discover new insights into how apparel can improve performance, comfort, or confidence.
• Apply research insights across the NRSL and Apparel Product teams to build novel and innovative Apparel platforms or services.
• Ensure scientific integrity of apparel during the concept briefing, product development, and commercialization phases.
• Lead as an innovative scientist by exploring creative solutions to performance or injury prevention.
• Communicate scientific information, methods, and findings clearly and concisely to technical and non-technical teams, partners, and senior management
• Advocate for NSRL scientific research, and actively disseminate new ideas, insights, and concepts across multiple business groups, garnering support and consensus.
• Actively seek new technologies, scientific research and methodological opportunities, trends, and vulnerabilities.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH
In this role, you will partner with internal partners such as researchers within the Nike Sport Research Lab, Apparel Innovation Product Development, brand, and inline category teams. Externally, you will collaborate with research organizations (academic and industrial) to continue Nike's leadership position in the science of sport and making athletes* better.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Ph.D. degree in human movement science (biomechanics, kinesiology, neuromechanics), engineering, biomedical engineering, ergonomics, or related field +4 years of relevant work experience.
• In lieu of Ph.D. degree, will accept MSc in similar field, with +7 years relevant work experience
• Proven track record leading a scientific research team, establishing timelines and key objectives that are both science and business relevant.
• Demonstrated track record of delivering groundbreaking research on apparel solutions that lead to market opportunities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding of apparel product creation is desirable.
• Experience applying evidence-based solutions to apparel or product development is desirable.
• Experience dealing with multiple business units and functional groups is desirable.