Sport Scientist (Rehab Specialist)

The role

Heart of Midlothian is a Scottish Premiership Football Club based in Edinburgh with a proud history dating back to 1874. We have an exciting opportunity for a Sport Scientist (Rehab Specialist) to join our Performance Department.

The Sport Scientist (Rehab Specialist) is primarily responsible for designing and delivering evidence-informed strength and conditioning programs, both gym and pitch-based, to long-term injured players from multiple squads including our Men’s and Women’s First Team, B Team, and u18s.

The role holder will plan and deliver end-stage rehabilitation programming which incorporates return to play decision-making based on objective data, which is collected using a wide range of diagnostic testing equipment and software.

We are looking for a candidate who has previous experience of leading late-stage return-to-play injury rehabilitation programs within full-time professional team sport. In addition, we are seeking someone who can develop good working relationships with a variety of group including fellow practitioners, coaches, and players.

• Department Performance
• Report to Head of Sport Science
• Hours Full-time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm

Key responsibilities

• Assist with, and in some cases lead, the rehabilitation from injury of players from multiple squads including our Men’s and Women’s First Team, B Team and u18s.
• Design and deliver gym-based strength and power programs to long-term injured players with a particular focus on facilitating and accelerating their return to play.
• Design and deliver pitch-based sessions to long-term injured players with a particular focus on facilitating and accelerating their return to play. Incorporation of football-specific and position relevant drills during this process is desirable.
• Using a range of diagnostic testing equipment and software (e.g. Nordbord, ForceFrame, ForceDecks,GymAware, timing gates, handheld and isokinetic dynamometry, etc) to assess players’ physical capabilities and readiness during criteria-based return to play rehab progressions.
• Collect and interpret player movement tracking data during all on-pitch activities using our STATSports GPS system and associated software.
• Ensure all diagnostic and fitness testing data is logged as per established departmental protocols and create intuitive and insightful visualisations of important results for presentation to relevant colleagues.
• Collaborate with the wider Performance Department and refer potential clinical issues to Physiotherapist and/or Club Doctor.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships and effective communication pathways with players, coaches and other members of the Performance Department.
• On occasion assist our Men’s and Women’s First Team, B Team and u18s Sport Scientists with delivery of full-squad gym sessions.
• Achieve and maintain professional accreditations with BASES, UKSCA (ASCC) and ISAK (Level 1).
• Facilitate and proactively contribute to applied research projects as directed by the Head of Performance.
• Any other reasonable activities requested by the Head of Sport Science or Head of Performance.

Essential qualifications & experience

• Previous experience of leading late-stage return-to-play injury rehabilitation programmes within a full-time professional team sport environment.
• Undergraduate Degree in Sport & Exercise Science or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification in Strength & Conditioning or equivalent.
• UKSCA accredited.
• BASES accredited (or working towards via supervised experience pathway).
• Demonstrable portfolio of professional development activities relevant to rehabilitation from musculoskeletal injury (Desirable).
• Able to evidence Legal Right to Work in the UK.

Essential skills & abilities

• Able to build strong working relationships with fellow practitioners, coaches and players.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Conscientious and committed to attention to detail.
• Able to operate within a high-pressure working environment.
• Confident IT user.
• Critical thinking and analytical mindset.
• Displays honesty, openness and an approachable demeanour.
• Committed to professional development.
• A high standard of professionalism and confidentiality.

How to apply

If you think that you are suitable for the position and meet the criteria above, please send a covering letter and CV to Recruitment@homplc.co.uk

The role will have regular contact with children, and it is therefore required by law to have a Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) check through Disclosure Scotland as a condition of employment.

HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN FOOTBALL CLUB IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER AND FULLY COMMITTED TO THE SAFEGUARDING AND WELFARE OF VULNERABLE GROUPS. HEART OF MIDLOTHIAN IS A LIVING WAGE ACCREDITED COMPANY.