Associate Research Scientist, Brooks Running

[Jennifer Baltich]

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe a run can change a day, a life, the world. Everyone who works here is a key part of our obsession to make the best running gear on the planet. We want our business — which also happens to be our passion — to be a place where everyone feels welcome and comfortable being themselves. Our company culture defines us, bonds us together, and drives our success. We live this culture daily through our brand values: Runner First, Word is Bond, Champion Heart, There is no “I” in Run, and Keep Moving. This means we always solve for the runner, do what we say we will, give it our all, are generous with our humanity, and find a way to keep moving every day, because joy is kinetic.

Are you ready to help create something extraordinary?

Your Job:

The mission of the Run Research Team is to create and leverage novel, scientific concepts and runner-driven product performance insights to create amazing products to help everyone run their path to a better self.

As the Associate Research Scientist, you will be an integral part of the Run Research Team responsible for driving the execution of seasonal and future product evaluation and human movement research throughout the product creation and innovation cycle. You will be a critical part of the product creation process, including providing human movement research for the creation and evaluation of new inline styles, future concept ideation, and material and compound development. You will carry out human performance research, executing projects to develop the best in class product related to performance, fit, comfort and injury prevention. This role will act as a positive driving force in the product creation process and impacts business results through product performance using valuable scientific concepts and runner-driven product performance insights. In this role, you will partner closely with more senior members of the Run Research Team to hone your technical expertise and data analysis skillset.

Your Responsibilities:

• • Own human performance laboratory research testing, including but not limited to 3D motion capture, high speed video, plantar pressure systems, 3D scans, V02 max.
  • Conduct human performance research projects with external academic collaborators, innovating for the runner.
  • Own mechanical lab testing (vertical drop, torsion, durability) of polymeric materials, compounds, and fully constructed product.
  • Own research product sample management, including receipt and distribution of all products that will be used for research purposes. Own preparation of samples for data collection purposes, including taping for motion capture and logging of sample specs into the testing shoe log.
  • Own participant recruitment, ensuring relevant testers are recruited for each research study. Understand the product goals to determine what human performance parameters are targeted through product construction. This requires understanding each runner's highly unique running form when targeting runners for neutral and support product research.
  • Own the process of study design creation, ensuring the trial methodology and data analysis techniques are selected appropriately for each research project to ensure that the final conclusions for each test reflect truth.
  • Own data analysis for human performance research. Use analytics and data science to extract running performance insights related to product. Ensure all Brooks products are hitting key biomechanical standards and product brief goals.
  • Effectively synthesize human performance data (kinetics, kinematics, muscle activity, physiology, etc.) and translate these findings to a cross functional team with a variety of backgrounds including product development, design, product line management and merchandising.
  • Own conclusion regarding the influence of product on human performance. Provide your human performance go, no go conclusions with product teams.
  • Ensure on time delivery of conclusions regarding human performance research projects or product evaluations in accordance with critical calendar deadlines to enable on-time delivery of product to the market and transfer of innovation technology to inline product teams.
  • Participate in meetings with product creation teams (development, product line management, merchandising, design) during various phases of the product development process to review, evaluate, and contribute to the decision-making process for product development ensuring that human performance and biomechanics objectives have been met for each project.
  • Conduct research projects that relate to human performance, independent of product. Using your advanced knowledge in human movement, biomechanics, anatomy, and physiology, design studies that will quantify human movement, in the lab and on the road with the runner. Use these learnings to identify product and service opportunities for the runner that will maximize running performance.
  • Continuous learning of human performance as it relates to the run and the influence of athletic product. Keep abreast of human performance testing methods that will advance our ability to understand each runners' unique running form and how to maximize running performance through product.
  • Keep abreast of market trends with competitor product and how it relates to human movement and biomechanics. Ensure that Brooks products incorporate the functional needs our runners demand.
  • Lead tours of our state-of-the-art Run Research Laboratory to increase visibility of Brooks research to the community.
  • Partner with more senior members of the Run Research Team to support their projects as needed.
  • Other responsibilities as required.

Qualifications:

• • M.Sc. in Biomechanics, or related field including Engineering, Kinesiology, Physiology, Exercise Science, Human Factors, or Ergonomics.
  • 1+ years of experience in Athletic Footwear Industry in lieu of a graduate degree.
  • Strong understanding of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics of running, biomechanical principles, and running injuries.
  • Strong understanding and direct experience with experimental design and statistical methods.
  • Understanding of basic running shoe design features and components, preferred.
  • Experience working with human subject data collection (3D motion capture, kinematic and kinetic models, EMG, plantar pressure systems, V02 max)
  • Experience with coding (MATLAB, Python).
  • Ability to work professionally and efficiently with all departments that make up Brooks Sports, Inc., including sales, marketing, production, and operations.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to plan, organize and execute tasks with short timelines are a must.
  • Detail oriented.
  • High level of independent work ethic and ability with the instinct to know when to reach out for support.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, demonstrating effective listening through concise, clear verbal and written communication.
  • Ability to work professionally and efficiently with all departments that make up Brooks Sports, Inc., including sales, marketing, production, and operations.
  • Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
  • Working experience with Tableau or other data visualization tools ideal.
  • Curious and open minded – be open to a challenge and always looking to improve our products and processes.
  • Demonstration of innovation and initiative – always looking at improving our products, concepts, and processes while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details and help out wherever necessary.
  • A positive attitude that embraces and lives the Brooks values!

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, the presence of a sensory, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military status, marital status, pregnancy or child birth, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, political ideology, or any other non-merit based factors.

To apply, visit Brooksrunning.com
brooksrunning.com - Associate Research Scientist (lever.co)