Job description
TITLE
Performance Scientist (Bath Intensive Training Centre)
REPORTS TO
Sports Science Sports Medicine Manager
SALARY
Grade 6 - £36,780 per annum
LOCATION
University of Bath
HOURS
All hours contract that will include working outside normal office hours
at weekends and on Public Holidays
JOB PURPOSE
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The performance science position is a full-time role with British Swimming (BS) with the primary
job purpose to provide performance science support to British Swimming’s World Class
Programme coaches and swimmers based at Bath Intensive Training Centre (ITC) and within the
surrounding geographical region.
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As a background, British Swimming has a network of five Intensive Training Centres (ITCs), of
which Bath is one. The ITCs are set-up to provide a daily training environment for BS World
Class Programme swimmers and is supported by access to World Class facilities, quality
coaching and an integrated science and medicine service delivery team.
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The Performance Scientist (PS) position is a multi-facet and applied role that encompasses the
broad area of physical science and performance analysis as applied to elite athlete performance.
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The position works closely with and supports the World Class Program (WCP) coaches and
swimmers in performance planning, monitoring, feedback and race analysis. The position does
involve significant time within the daily training environment - on pool deck - as well attendance at
national and international competitions.
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The Bath PS is a key member of British Swimming’s performance science team and sport
science sport medical network. The position is integral to contributing to the continued
investigation and development of the key impact areas that are identified and relevant to future
British Swimming Olympic success in the pool and open water swimming.
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The position will work with the BS WCP coaches and other support staff to create a seamless,
integrated, world-class support service, which positively impacts on swimmer performance, in
both daily training and national team environments.
1.
Position Objectives
The principle role of British Swimming’s performance scientist is to:
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Provide and adopt a problem solving approach, as opposed to a discipline one, focused on
optimising the swimmer’s performance.
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Work closely with Bath ITC / WCP coaches and respective Sports Science Sports Medicine
(SSSM) staff to identify the key needs and requirements within an individual swimmer’s
performance plans and then to implement, monitor, assess and provide advice/feedback within
the daily training and competition environment.
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Create an environment with Bath ITC and, relevant coaches of WCP swimmers within the BS
service area that is challenging and supportive; thus driving the specific knowledge base
forward resulting in performance gains.
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Maintain the highest standards of quality assurance and evidence based practice, while
remaining innovative and creative. Guided but not constrained by the scientific process.
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Prepare and implement an annual service delivery plan that meets the needs and
requirements of Loughborough ITC and relevant coaches of World Class Programme
swimmers
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Assist with the organisation of maintenance, calibration and quality control of the physiological
testing and performance analysis equipment and/or software and the health and safety
procedures for use and quality assurance within Bath ITC
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Work within BS performance science team at national and international competitions to capture
and analyse swimmer performance through use of BS performance video analysis system as
well, to monitor athlete competition preparation
2.
Responsibilities
2.1 Role overview
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Deliver services as outlined in the ITC SSSM Service Level Agreement (SLA)
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Work with and support the BS ITC coaches, Performance Club coaches and coaches of other
World Class Programme targeted swimmers supported and serviced by the BS service area.
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Develop an area of specialism that is of benefit to British Swimming.
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Identify key elements that are likely to result in maximum performance gains for each individual
swimmer and monitor provide or facilitate the provision of such services.
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Act as a sounding board for coaches to bounce ideas off – and to constructively challenge
coaches, offering different views and options – thinking and challenging existing practice.
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Provide cutting edge technological support as required, or if needed, to develop new ones.
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Carry out race (video) analysis during competitions plus subsequently applying race analysis
data to model performance and influence the day-to-day planning and monitoring of training.
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On-going SSSM education through coach and athlete education initiatives.
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Work as part of the overall team of BS performance scientists and ensuring full and open
communication and information sharing within the team (athlete confidentiality permissive) –
attendance at BS performance scientist focus group meetings
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Contribute and maintain ongoing investigation to the development of BS performance key
impact areas.
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Attendance at agreed national team activities and competitions and the undertaking of
coach/athlete support roles at such.
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Contribute to the BS SSSM service delivery and evaluation process.
2.2
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Day to day service delivery
Where appropriate working with the coaches to help establish athlete annual and weekly
training plans.
Routine monitoring, analysis and feedback of swimmers during training sets as agreed with the
relevant coaches.
Anthropometric and nutritional/recovery support as required.
Filming and analysis of agreed training sets.
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Liaising with the ITC coach, other coaches and central performance staff to ensure optimal
support service delivery.
The synchronisation of training data against race profiles.
Provide analysis and feedback to both coach and swimmers in a timely and communicable
manner.
The specific day to day role undertaken by the performance scientist will be discussed and agreed
between the Bath ITC coaches, SSSM Manager to reflect the requirements of the specific BS service
area.
2.3
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3.
Ongoing Commitments
Work closely and effectively with all other service providers and all other parties involved in
delivery of the BS SSSM annual plan.
Comply with all policies set down by BS and ensure that they are implemented as appropriate,
in particular those policies relating to equality and diversity.
Any other duties appropriate to the role as required by the National Performance Director,
SSSM Manager.
Key Result Areas
The following key result areas have been identified for the position of performance scientist;
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Works towards the implementation of appropriate SSSM delivery strategies for BS within the
three key result areas of:
o daily training environment
o national team camps and competitions
o Education, research and technology.
Builds and maintains an effective working relationship with coaches, other support staff and
individuals as appropriate to enable the delivery of performance focused support services to all
World Class Programme swimmers and their coaches in their service area.
Contributes ideas and initiatives to drive forward relevant performance focused research and
innovation.
Ensures relevant, full and open communication with all colleagues, both support staff and
identified coaches.
Sets and maintains appropriate standards and working philosophy which reflects the BS SSSM
programme performance focus.
Meets all other specific aims and objectives as agreed with the SSSM Manager and ITC
coach.
.
___________________________________________________________________
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications/Skills/knowledge
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PhD or Masters Degree with major study in the area of Exercise Physiology and/ or Performance
Analysis or equivalent.
Recognised post-graduate experience in providing applied Exercise Science support to High
Performance sport coaches and athletes
Able to provide High Performance sport physiological and performance analysis support to
athletes, teams and coaches
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Ability to develop and maintain Sport Science resources, including minor equipment maintenance
Significant experience of developing and delivering laboratory, field and sports specific
assessments
Previous experience in working with High Performance Sport coaching staff in the design,
implementation and evaluation of annual and quadrennial periodised programmes for athletes
Experience of informing sport specific conditioning and programming within a world class support
programme
Able to effectively integrate support provision with other areas of sport science and within
multidisciplinary support teams
Good IT skills, in particular able to work effectively with databases, word processing and
spreadsheets
Excellent oral and written communication skills, able to explain/present information in appropriate
format to colleagues, coaches and athletes
Personal Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
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A passionate interest to work within the elite sport environment with flexibility towards work and
a responsiveness to constant change that a world class training environment brings.
Ability to set priorities and manage conflicting deadlines and time demands.
Ability to build and foster effective relationships with colleagues, ensuring that all are
committed to BS’s common purpose.
Listens actively to individuals so that needs are identified; actions are put in place to meet
those needs, and checks that the needs have been met.
Solves problems creatively by identifying the problem, evaluating the alternatives and finding
innovative solutions.
Can see opportunities and originate action in pursuit of achievement of BS’s strategic goals.
Makes controlled responses in stressful situations, such as when faced with negative
responses or excessive workload.
Sets high standards for self and others and is dissatisfied with average performance.
Ability to work independently and demonstrates self initiative and motivation to complete tasks
or resolve challenges.
A mature approach to work, be trustworthy, and deal appropriately with information of a
confidential nature
BRITISH SWIMMING
Performance Scientist
Responsible to:
Sport Science Sport Medicine Manager
Place of Work:
Bath Intensive Training Centre
Hours of Work:
All hours worked contract that will include working outside normal
office hours at weekends and on Public Holidays
Salary:
Grade 6 - £36,780 per annum
Holidays:
25 days per year (pro rata prior to 12 months service)
This role does involve training, supervising, working with and/or being in sole charge of children and
young people. The successful applicant will therefore be required to apply for a disclosure from the
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). A disclosure is an impartial and confidential document that details
an individual’s criminal record and where appropriate gives details of those who are banned from
working with children.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
ESSENTIAL
HIGHLY DESIRABLE
Masters Degree with major study in the area of
Exercise Physiology and/ or Performance
Analysis or equivalent
PhD qualification and scientific background,
most likely to be from a physical science or
equivalent
Recognised post-graduate experience in
providing applied Exercise Science support to
High Performance sport coaches and athletes
within the daily training and competition
environment as well experience in working
within a multidisciplinary team that is coach
driven and athlete centred.
Detailed knowledge and understanding of the
sport of swimming
Experience of developing and implementing
innovative ideas and putting them into practice,
including working in an applied and integrated
manner
Detailed understanding of relevant performance
analysis software and IT technology
Previous experience in working with High
Performance Sport coaching staff in the design,
implementation and evaluation of performance
plans as well as annual and quadrennial
periodised programmes for athletes
Has, or the ability to develop, expertise and
skills across a range of different disciplines,
based on the requirements of the swimming
Significant experience of developing and
delivering laboratory, field and sports specific
assessments
Commitment to personal development and is
continually seeking to up skill own knowledge
relevant to enhancing swimmer performance
Demonstrated self initiative and autonomy to
resolve issues and the ability to learn and apply
new skills.
Good organisational, communication and
interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to
provide written and verbal reports in a timely
manner.
Ability to work all hours and travel
(internationally/domestically) as required by the
job. This includes early mornings, late nights,
weekends and holiday periods.