Research and Innovation Assistant

Research and Innovation Assistant

Requirements

• Master’s degree and PhD degree (or willingness to start a PhD program) in an area related to high performance (e.g., Sport Science, Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, etc.)
• General knowledge of soccer / Strong knowledge of soccer
• Capable of working in fast-paced and demanding environments
• Exceptional time management skills and ability to prioritize workflow
• Must be able to connect “micro” details to the “macro” vision and mission
• Ability to deliver high-quality work and execute under pressure and deadlines
• Proficient experience with Microsoft Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook) and Tableau/Power-BI
• Excellent written and verbal communication combined with a professional demeanor with excellent capacity and understanding to write scientific papers
• Able and willing to travel up to 10-15% of the year
• Able and willing to work non-traditional hours including evenings and weekends as needed
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Responsibilities

• Provide support in the design and management of research and innovation projects. This may imply providing support in conducting experiments, including setting up equipment, preparing materials, and recording observations.
• Assist in addressing applied research questions raised by high-performance staff, collaborating with external experts, universities, PhD candidates, or other partners when appropriate.
• Conduct literature reviews to stay informed on emerging research, technologies, and methodologies.
• Assist in the processing, analysis, and interpretation of data to extract meaningful insights.
• Document experimental procedures, analyze results, and contribute to technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Support the creation of communication materials that translate research findings into actionable insights (e.g., develop and publish educational resources across digital platforms).
• Foster a culture of continuous learning through knowledge exchange.
• Lead the organization of research and innovation events such as webinars, symposia, and workshops.
• Assist with day-to-day project management tasks, including scheduling, coordinating communication between stakeholders, and tracking progress toward milestones.
• Assist in the preparation of grant proposals, funding applications, and finding donors, sponsors, or industry funding to keep growing research and innovation at US Soccer.
• Facilitate collaboration opportunities and attract innovative companies capable of addressing key challenges in soccer.
• Ensure all initiatives align with U.S. Soccer’s strategic priorities and adhere to ethical standards, regulatory requirements, and safety protocols.
• Stay current with scientific and technological advancements and share learnings to elevate the department’s collective expertise.

Preferred Qualifications

• Passion for soccer
• Master’s and PhD degree in a soccer-specific area or sport management
• Bilingual (English and Spanish)
• Thorough institutional knowledge of U.S. Soccer’s mission, goals, technical plan, policies, practices, and procedures
• Previous experience with a club or national team
• Proficient experience with tools for statistical analysis such as SPSS, R, or Python