Research Fellow - Running Biomechanics

About the Role

The ASICS x Michigan Sport Innovation Center (AMSI) is a groundbreaking partnership dedicated to redefining the boundaries of athletic performance and sport science. By uniting ASICS’ global leadership in footwear and apparel with the University of Michigan’s world-class research ecosystem, AMSI creates a unique environment for discovery—where art, science, and engineering converge to spark transformative breakthroughs. Through direct engagement with elite athletes and vibrant sporting communities, AMSI’s dynamic research ecosystem is committed to driving progress, shifting paradigms, and delivering real-world impact for athletes and the public worldwide. We are seeking passionate innovators and collaborators to join our team and help shape the future of sport science.

AMSI has an immediate, full-time opportunity for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join our team as a Lead Running Biomechanist. We are seeking a highly independent, self-motivated, and experienced researcher to administer lab-based biomechanical assessments, participate in athlete performance-based research studies, and work with a multi-disciplinary team of investigators, engineers, and designers to translate high-level science into real-world innovation.

Responsibilities

• Lab Setup & Technical Management: Lead the technical setup, integration, calibration, and routine troubleshooting in a newly established high-performance biomechanics lab. This lab includes VICON motion capture, AMTI force plates integrated into an indoor running track, a Bertec instrumented split-belt treadmill, an hp cosmo force plate treadmill, and a Noraxon IMU measurement system.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Collect and analyze complex human movement data in-lab and in-field using marker-based and markerless motion capture, overground/treadmill force plates, and inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors, with a heavy emphasis on high-performance distance running.
• Data Pipeline Development: Independently write, optimize, and maintain custom data processing pipelines and scripts for large-scale biomechanical datasets.
• Dissemination and Translation: Author high-impact manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals, present research findings at professional conferences, and translate complex scientific data into actionable insights for key stakeholders, including industry partners, product design engineers, elite athletes, and coaching staff.
• Mentorship & Project Operations: Oversee the day-to-day project and operational workflows. Supervise, mentor, and review the work of undergraduate and graduate students working on AMSI projects.

Required Qualifications

• Education: PhD in Kinesiology, Biomechanics, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Technical Expertise in Running Biomechanics: Demonstrated, extensive hands-on experience independently testing and analyzing human running gait. A strong peer-reviewed publication record focused on gait biomechanics is required.
• Musculoskeletal Modeling: Demonstrated expertise in advanced musculoskeletal modeling software (e.g., OpenSim) for calculating internal joint contact forces, muscle-tendon dynamics, and tissue-level mechanical loading during running.
• Hardware Proficiency: Plentiful, turn-key technical expertise with motion capture systems and force plate integration. Experience with advanced multi-system integration and hardware synchronization protocols.
• Advanced Programming Skills: Strong, independent programming skills (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R) for custom processing, filtering, and modeling of kinematic and kinetic datasets.
• Autonomy: Proven ability to operate with a high degree of independence, solve complex technical/equipment problems without direct supervision, and manage multiple study timelines concurrently.
• Communication & Collaboration: Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to interface professionally and dynamically with a diverse cohort of faculty, engineering partners, elite athletes, and corporate practitioners in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion for Sport & Performance Innovation: A deep, intrinsic passion for sports, athletic culture, and human performance science. The ideal candidate must be highly driven by real-world athletic outcomes, showing a genuine motivation to help athletes optimize their movement mechanics and achieve their highest competitive potential while seeing their research directly translate into cutting-edge product development.

Desired Qualifications

• Athletic Interaction: Experience working directly with elite high-performance athletes, coaches, or footwear design teams. Understanding of intellectual property confidentiality and data security.

Why Join Michigan Medicine?

Michigan Medicine is one of the largest health care complexes in the world and has been the site of many groundbreaking medical and technological advancements since the opening of the U-M Medical School in 1850. Michigan Medicine is comprised of over 30,000 employees, and our vision is to attract, inspire, and develop outstanding people in medicine, sciences, and healthcare to become one of the world’s most distinguished academic health systems. In some way, great or small, every person here helps to advance this world-class institution. Work at Michigan Medicine and become a victor for the greater good.

Benefits

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage effective on your very first day
• 2:1 Match on retirement savings

Modes of Work: Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information: The position is available immediately with compensation adhering to the NIH stipend guidelines.

Contact Information: Questions about the position should be directed to Ken Kozloff, PhD, Steven A. Goldstein Collegiate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Co-Director, ASICS x Michigan Sport Innovation Center, Co-Director, University of Michigan Human Performance & Sport Science Center, [email protected]

Application Deadline: Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement: The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.