About the Victorian Institute of Sport:
The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) was set up to assist the development of Victoria’s best athletes. It was established in 1990 by the State Government as a private trustee company, with its Board of Directors appointed by the Victorian Minister for Sport.
The VIS is located at Lakeside Stadium, Albert Park. The VIS headquarters completed a renovation in February 2023, providing a brand new workspace for athletes and staff. It is a non-residential institute, which utilises Melbourne’s outstanding sporting facilities, to allow high performance athletes to live and train in Melbourne, the sporting capital of Australia.
The VIS operates in partnership with National Sporting Organisations and State Sporting Associations to deliver high performance daily training environments (DTEs) for sports and athletes in support of the National High Performance Sport Strategy outcomes. Our facility and staff help prepare and support future and current Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth Games and World Champion athletes.
Employee Benefits:
The Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) provides a supportive work environment for you to be your best whilst supporting Victoria's best athletes. In addition, all employees have access to:
- 2xu gear to proudly represent the VIS brand
- Friday Staff Sport - to get that competitive energy out and socialise with all staff
- Heavily subsidised access to St Ali barista coffee and Albert Park parking
- Professional development opportunities
- Newly renovated office with ergonomic sit/stand desks and plenty of natural light & open windows
- Free access to gym, boxing classes and pool/recovery facilities
About the role:
The Performance Scientist - Biomechanics is responsible for applying scientific principles and thinking to the Athletics Program, as well as other pre-determined or newly identified projects. The position is primarily aimed at achieving the following goals:
- Supporting VIS scholarship athletes to improve their sporting performances
- Supporting VIS coaches to achieve their program KPI’s
- Work with broader VIS performance support staff to provide an inter-disciplinary approach to making a performance impact
- Advance knowledge in identified areas of priority
- Contribute to the VIS Performance Services and Performance Health Departments, and the VIS as a whole
Responsibilities may include but not limited to:
- Demonstrate leadership in the area of performance science (biomechanics) to the Athletics Program and various pre-determined or newly identified projects
- Design and deliver world class biomechanics technical expertise and support to identified athletes and coaches delivered within an interdisciplinary framework
- Develop and maintain technical knowledge and skill in the use of Australian Athletics Biomechanical Analysis and world leading Athletics skill assessment and development technologies to ensure Victorian athletes are capable of developing and maintaining world class performance
- Gain insight into the key performance benchmarks, behaviours, and training standards required at elite levels, enabling athletes and coaches to identify the specific physical, technical and tactical components necessary for success in their sport
- Ensuring all support is provided within an ethical framework and are based on sound quality assured, evidence-based, best practice scientific principles
- Work with coaches to help develop their understanding and application of biomechanical concepts and performance science to improve performance outcomes
- Provide athlete testing and monitoring methodologies, analysis, reporting and interpretation
- Provide support within the daily training and competition environments.
- Actively promote, support, and implement the National Quality Standards Scheme and AIS Best Practice Guidelines, to give confidence that athlete performance data collected and used to inform decisions is valid, accurate, reliable and comparable nation-wide.
Required qualifications/ experience:
- Undergraduate qualification in Sports Biomechanics / Movement Science
- A minimum of 2 years working within a HP Sport environment
- Current ESSA Sports Science Accreditation Level 1
- Current Working with Children / Working with Vulnerable People Check
- Current First Aid and CPR
- Current Driver’s License
- Proven success in utilizing knowledge and skills for planning and supporting athletes across a season/campaign to contribute to successful outcomes and performance progression
- Ability to conduct biomechanical analyses utilising various domains of motion capture (e.g., 3D marker / Markerless, Inertial Measurement Units), and produce clear, concise reports and feedback through appropriate signal processing methods.
- Strong problem identification and resolution skills; paired with a critical thinking lens to provide practical, yet feasible and robust solutions to performance problems
- Demonstrated ability and commitment to work in?an?interdisciplinary team with HP staff, coaches, and?athletes
- Demonstrated experience in influencing behaviour?and/ or leadership
Desirable qualifications/ experience:
- Postgraduate qualification in Sports Biomechanics / Movement Science
- Proven track record of tangible performance impact working with coaches and athletes
- A minimum of 5 years full time equivalent working within a HP Sport environment
- Current ESSA Sports Science Accreditation Level 2
- Proficient in one (or more) computer programming languages – R / Python / MATLAB
- Exposure working across a diverse range of sports and athlete populations
- Experience travelling with development and/or senior National teams providing support at benchmark events
Applications close Sunday 15th June 2025.
The VIS is committed to ensuring a safe and inclusive space for all, celebrating our differences where everyone is valued, included and supported. Guided by our motto 'Success in Sport & Life’, we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, ages, and abilities including those who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people with a disability. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable opportunities for all, including making reasonable adjustments in recruitment and workplace processes to ensure everyone can perform at their best.
