Wakefield Trinity are seeking to appoint a First Team Sports Scientist to lead and deliver the club’s sport science provision, supporting the physical performance and development of our first team squad.
This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and knowledgeable practitioner to play a key role within the club’s high-performance environment, working closely with the coaching, medical and strength & conditioning staff to optimise player performance and minimise injury risk.
Main Purpose
The successful candidate will lead, manage and deliver the sport science provision to support the performance development of all first team squad members.
Key Responsibilities
The role will focus on enhancing the club’s first team physical performance provision in line with the club’s strategic objectives.
Responsibilities include:
- Supporting injury prevention strategies while enhancing individual and collective athletic performance.
- Managing and leading the development of long-term load management and athletic development planning.
- Liaising daily with performance and coaching staff regarding the physical status and preparation of players to reduce injury risk and maintain high performance levels.
- Delivering applied sport science support in areas including:
- Data analysis (e.g. GPS and workload monitoring)
- Biomechanical assessments
- Physiological and fitness testing
- Data analysis (e.g. GPS and workload monitoring)
- Designing and enhancing evidence-based return-to-train and return-to-play protocols, working alongside the medical and Strength & Conditioning departments.
- Ensuring the latest scientific and technological innovations are implemented within applied practice.
- Maintaining accurate and detailed records in line with relevant legislation, policies and procedures.
- Representing the club in a professional and personable manner at all times.
- Undertaking any additional reasonable duties assigned by the Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach.
Qualifications
Essential
- BSc/BA in Sports Science or a related discipline
- Experience working within professional team sport
Desirable
- MSc/MRes/MPhil in Sports Science or related discipline
- BASAS accreditation
Person Specification
The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
- A strong passion for the athletic development of rugby players.
- Extensive knowledge of sport science principles and their application to rugby performance.
- Experience working as an applied practitioner in professional sport.
- Proven ability to conduct scientifically informed assessment, monitoring and evaluation procedures.
- Experience using data management systems to securely store and manage performance data.
- Strong communication skills and confidence working with players and multidisciplinary staff.
- Excellent IT and analytical skills, with the ability to utilise performance software to a high standard.
- The flexibility and adaptability required to meet the demands of a professional first team environment.
The successful candidate will ideally possess advanced analytical expertise and experience using Microsoft Excel, Power BI and RStudio for performance analysis and reporting.
Salary & Benefits
- Salary: From £32,000 per year
- Employee discount
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Work Location: In person
This is an exciting opportunity to join Wakefield Trinity and contribute to the continued development and performance of the club’s first team environment.