Paddle Australia has an incredible opportunity for a Biomechanist to work with the Sprint Kayak/Canoe programs based on the Gold Coast, QLD. 

The role aims to expand technical assessment abilities within Paddle Australia, helping to inform and guide decision-making across the high-performance program and ultimately improve athlete performance.

We are seeking motivated and inquisitive individuals who have a strong background in applied biomechanics, work effectively in a team environment, and can be impactful within world class programs as we prepare for LA 2028 and beyond.

Position Objective

As part of PA’s performance support team, this role is primarily responsible for implementing a world-leading performance support program for athletes based at Paddle Australia Headquarters on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. This role requires you to work closely with the PA coaches and other performance support staff in delivering performance outcomes in accordance with PA’s HP Strategic Plan.

Principal Duties

• Work collaboratively with coaches and the performance support team to maximise athlete performance through adopting a performance problem solving approach.
• Deliver and develop systems that provide best practice objective assessment and feedback to impact athlete technical development which is aligned with the sport’s What It Takes To Win (WITTW) framework. This includes utilising performance analysis and biomechanical tools and equipment in the assessment or evaluation processes.
• Contribute to the development of Individual Performance Plan (IPP’s) and regularly review the associated specific development priorities and performance metrics to measure progress.
• Provide specific and relevant evidence-based biomechanics testing using instrumented paddles, and regular tracking/monitoring of identified athletes and provide timely feedback and interpretation of data for PA coaches.
• Work collaboratively as part of a high performing team, establishing and maintaining effective partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders to identify, lead and deliver high quality integrated outcomes.
• Provide performance support to the National and State programs as required.
• Collect, store and share athlete data in the Athlete Management System (AMS) and Ludum and any other approved data storage platforms in line with PA’s expectations and data governance policies.
• Contribute to the sharing of high-performance knowledge through the production of resources and the development of collaborative communities within and across the practitioner groups in collaboration with other performance support staff.
• As a member of the PA performance support team, take shared accountability for setting a high-performance culture to enable successful outcomes.
• Work collaboratively with the wider Australian High-Performance system (including state institutes, AIS, international and professional elite sport networks) to share knowledge and leverage opportunities.
• Undertake domestic and international travel as required to support athlete preparation and performance at training camps and competitions.
• Integrate with all performance support staff to apply a holistic approach utilising innovative solutions and deliver joint projects and initiatives that support PA to keep pace with emerging technologies.

Key Skills and Experience

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in sport and exercise science or equivalent (essential).
• Post-graduate qualifications in Sport Science or equivalent field (PhD in Biomechanics or similar preferred).
• ESSA Accredited Sport Scientist Level 1 (ASpS L1) (essential);
• Current Working with Children Check, or the ability to obtain one.
• Current Drivers License.

Experience/Skill Level Required

• A minimum of 2 years in a high-performance sporting environment or equivalent. Experience working with National/State Sporting Organisations and Sport Institutes is an advantage. Experience working with paddle sports would be highly desirable.
• Experience working within interdisciplinary teams and an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other Performance Support disciplines (and coaches) and associated collaborative opportunities.
• A comprehensive multidiscipline sport science knowledge and understanding of fundamental principles, with post-graduate level understanding of biomechanical and/or mechanical engineering principles that can be applied in a practical situation.
• Knowledge & understanding of current quality assured, evidence-based, best-practice processes for biomechanics in the sports environment.
• Well-developed understanding of the sport-specific determinants of performance and competition enhancement strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to provide individual athlete profiling (incorporating physical, technical and tactical analysis), and experience delivering performance support to coaches and athletes, particularly utilising contemporary technology and equipment. These include various ergometers, instrumented gym equipment, force plates/load cells/strain gauges, GPS devices, inertial measurement units, physiological monitoring equipment, performance planning/management software etc.
• Demonstrated success in utilising scientific knowledge and skills for planning and supporting athletes across a season/campaign to contribute to successful outcomes and performance progression.
• Ability to distil complex concepts and results into clear sport-specific context and at an appropriate level of technical language for the target feedback recipient.
• An ability to collect, analyse and interpret information, think laterally, develop and implement innovative performance solutions to benefit Canoe/Kayak athletes and coaches.

Aptitude & Interpersonal Skills

• Passion for excellence with a strong desire to excel and willingness to establish and strive for stretch goals.
• A willingness to learn, adapt and bring new ideas with the goal of continuing to improve.
• Strong professional communication (both verbal and written), negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to understand, respond to the requirements and be empathic to elite athletes and coaches.
• Ability to lead, drive and manage change through influence rather than authority.
• Proactive, self-motivated and has a passion to achieve excellence.
• Ability to delegate, influence and motivate people at all levels of the organisation.
• Ability to motivate and inspire individuals towards achieving higher levels of performance.
• Capacity to establish the trust and respect of the internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong ability to transfer information, skills and knowledge to other staff members.
• Strong leadership, project management and people management skills.
• Ability to work well both within a team environment and autonomously.
• Strong organisational, planning, multi-tasking and prioritisation skills to achieve deadlines.
• Demonstrates initiative when undertaking tasks.
• Committed towards undertaking duties efficiently with a strong attention to detail.
• Excellent internal and external stakeholder management.
• Professional personal presentation suitable for the position.
• Strong skills in forward planning, analytical and strategic thinking.
• Strong judgement and problem-solving skills with a capacity to deal with complexity.
• Ability to promote, interpret, communicate and work in accordance with the policies and procedures of the organisation.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Development of an Individual Management Plan (outlining key tasks, major projects with timelines and deliverables, personal and professional development)
• Evidence of proactive and high-quality delivery of contemporary and applied biomechanics services to identified athletes.
• Accuracy and attention to detail in information, documentation and advice given and reported.
• Following of instructions and completion of tasks in a timely, accurate and efficient manner.
• Demonstrate initiative in the development, implementation, communication and ongoing management of innovative technique analysis.
• Development of appropriate education resources as required.
• Satisfactory completion of routine tasks, deliverables and key projects (considering relevance, timeliness, efficiency and attention to detail)
• Development of strong relationships with NIN and PA Performance Support staff.
• Attending learning and development opportunities where possible and at the discretion of the Performance Support & Innovation Manager.
• Appropriate management and mentoring of direct reports (staff).
• Provide effective direction and management to performance science and strength & conditioning interns (if relevant) and/or students.
• Stakeholder (both internal and external) service and satisfaction.
• Adherence to appropriate best-practice Quality Assurance standards and data handling/storage processes.
• Satisfactory achievement of ongoing targets, goals and objectives as set by the Performance Support & Innovation Manager, coaches and PA.

Child Safeguarding

Paddle Australia is committed to protecting Children from harm. We require all applicants that will work with children to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.

Please refer to Annexure C of the PA Child Safeguarding Policy (and the South Australia Addendum if applicable) for more information about recruitment and screening for child-related positions.