Senior Run Research Physiologist

About the role

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation. Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

• Runner First – We act in the best interest of the runner
• Word is Bond – We do what we say we’ll do
• Champion Heart – We give our all in everything we do
• There is no “I” in Run – We stay generous with our humanity
• Keep Moving – We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

The Brooks Run Research Lab is at the forefront of transforming human movement and runner experience into innovations that empower every runner to go faster, run longer, and feel more alive. Our deep understanding of runners encompasses their movement, feelings, and responses in real-world conditions, integrating mind science, biomechanics, physiology, and data science to capture the full runner experience. We examine the external forces acting on the body and the internal demands of fatigue and recovery adaptation, revealing how runners truly feel in body and mind both on and off the run. This holistic approach uncovers patterns that no single discipline could identify alone.

The Senior Run Research Physiologist will manage original research projects related to athlete physiology to expand Brooks innovation footwear pipelines. In this role, you will use your advanced knowledge of exercise physiology and scientific methods to investigate key performance indicators to maximize runner performance and recovery and reduce injury risk. You will collaborate with product teams across the company to create more optimal and customized product solutions.

Responsibilities

• Manage exercise physiology research programs that lead to new insights and technologies to improve runner performance and reduce injury incidence.
• Lead project management of owned research projects across multiple business objectives, utilizing project management tools to track project development, tasks, deadlines, and budgets.
• Independently lead research projects including collecting, recording, and analyzing exercise physiology data in an unbiased, objective manner.
• Create new frameworks and vision that will define research strategy encompassing broad themes of applications.
• Thoughtfully connect with the run and the runner to identify opportunities that have yet to be explored.
• Support advancements in data collection and data analysis (hardware and software) opportunities that will advance the ability to evaluate human physiology data.
• Drive initiatives that take human physiology data collection out of the laboratory and onto the road with the runner.
• Generate original ideas and combine existing concepts in new ways. Use systems thinking to avoid solutions that fix one issue but create another.
• Manage original research projects that relate to running physiology independent of product. Combine these learnings with key business partners to drive business decisions for future opportunities.
• Initiate and lead meetings with functional managers of product creation teams (Development, Product Line Management, Merchandising, Design, Engineering, and Color) during various phases of the product development process to ensure alignment of projects, discuss impacts of exercise physiology research findings, and key upcoming calendar dates for future product iterations.
• Effectively translate research project findings and project status updates to Senior Level Executives. Provide articulate, persuasive, and actionable conclusions with recommendations for next steps and how projects will drive a positive business impact. Drive project decisions through data storytelling.
• Initiate and lead meetings with senior-level members (Senior Manager, Director) to identify growth opportunities for the research program.
• Share the science of research programs and how it fits into the footwear framework with scientific and non-scientific communities.
• Understand the Brooks point of view as it relates to the entire brand as well as the competitive market.
• Teach, train, and present scientific principles related to exercise physiology and runner performance and their relationship to product. Present to technical and non-technical groups, clearly communicating the Brooks point of view inside and outside of our walls.
• Identify opportunities in the market based on trends and consumer needs related to exercise physiology and human performance that will give Brooks a competitive advantage.
• Display an expert understanding of exercise physiology and the interaction with performance athletic product. Partner with senior product creation team members to identify collaborative opportunities between development and Run Research, creating prototypes for new and innovative concepts unlike anything else on the market.
• May manage up to one direct report, instilling in them the ability to challenge the status quo, think outside the box, and translate research findings and concepts into tangible and actionable product suggestions.
• Network with industry leaders and participate in key industry functions to communicate Brooks’ points of view that help shape the current thinking of exercise physiology and sports science. Opportunities to present at national and international conferences.
• Other responsibilities as required.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. with a background in Exercise Physiology and/or Exercise Science or an equivalent analytical field and 3+ years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training (e.g., Masters and 5+ years or Bachelors and 7+ years).
• 3+ years of applied laboratory-based research experience working with physiology in endurance sports, preferably running.
• 1+ year of experience managing direct reports desired.
• Expert understanding of anatomy, physiology, applied physiology, and experimental design and statistical methods with an understanding of running performance.
• Proven leadership capabilities to supervise a team and lead strategic business objectives.
• Proven track record of creating innovative research studies that enhance the understanding of exercise physiology related to running product.
• Experience in teaching, training, and presenting scientific principles to technical and nontechnical groups to communicate the Brooks point of view inside and outside of our walls.
• Expert experience with study design, including collecting, recording, and analyzing data in an unbiased, objective manner.
• Expert working with human subject data collection (stationary metabolic carts / portable metabolic systems, spirometry systems, biomarkers, muscle oxygenation, phlebotomy, thermography, etc.) required.
• Active Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-EP) certification with 3+ years of applied laboratory-based research experience working with elite athletes, preferably runners.
• Demonstrated ability to develop highly productive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company.
• Ability to initiate collaboration with diverse stakeholders with varying skills and perspectives.
• Curious and open-minded; always up for a challenge, inventive, and creative. Ability to challenge the status quo while also displaying a willingness to dive into the details.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to plan, organize, and execute tasks with short timelines. Must be comfortable and capable of adapting to changing circumstances.
• Try things quickly rather than waiting for a "perfect" plan. Learn from failure and bounce back fast.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment, anticipating, and resolving problems in a timely manner.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an advanced ability to communicate a point of view concisely and functional expertise within project teams and to external stakeholders.
• Expert MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access skills are required as well as experience working with PDM or other databases.
• Embraces and lives the Brooks values!

Pay

The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $124,234 - $186,404 annually. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance
• Disability insurance
• HSA and employer contribution
• FSA, family & fertility assistance
• 401K Savings Plan and match
• Employee assistance program
• Transportation assistance
• Up to five weeks of paid time off
• Eleven paid holidays
• Paid sick and parental leave
• Annual bonus based on company performance
• Product discounts
• Employee recognition
• Fitness discounts
• Volunteer and donation benefits

Schedule

You will spend 4 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.