Lead Academy Performance Scientist
Sheffield United Football Club
Job Type
Full-time, permanent; 40 hours per week
Location
Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK
Salary
Dependent on experience, not disclosed
Closing Date
22 October 2026
Classification
IQF Level 6
Job Summary
Lead applied performance science across Sheffield United's Academy, particularly the Professional Development Phase. Oversee Catapult GPS, VALD testing, data management, quality assurance, performance dashboards and interpretation of athlete-monitoring information. Translate findings into practical recommendations for coaches, medical staff and physical-performance practitioners on training, rehabilitation and player development. Lead or support gym and pitch-based athletic development and testing sessions. Manage the Academy Data Analyst and volunteers and contribute to internal professional development.
IUSCA IQF Classification
Level 6. Leads a defined applied performance-science and athlete-monitoring function across the Academy, with responsibility for Catapult and VALD data quality, analytical reporting, practitioner recommendations and management of the Academy Data Analyst and volunteers. These are significant autonomous scientific and defined multi-practitioner coordination duties, but the advert does not establish wider strategic authority over the Academy performance department. The employer requires a relevant BSc, elite sport-science experience and advanced data-analysis skills; postgraduate analytics study is desirable. No specific S&C professional certification body is named.
Associated IUSCA IQF Certification
IUSCA IQF Level 6 Accredited International Strength and Conditioning Practitioner (aISCP)
Salary and Role Alignment
Grey. The advertised salary is not disclosed, so salary alignment cannot be fully assessed under the IUSCA IQF Role Classification & Salary Alignment methodology. IUSCA Indicative Minimum Salary Benchmark: £42,000 per year. This reflects Level 6 autonomous applied-science responsibility, advanced analytics, oversight of a defined data team, academy-wide monitoring and a 40-hour professional football role.
IUSCA Alignment Statement
This role has been classified by IUSCA using publicly available information at the time of review and the published IQF Role Classification & Salary Alignment methodology. The IQF classification, salary alignment assessment and associated IUSCA IQF certification represent IUSCA's assessment of the advertised role. They do not alter or replace the employer's stated qualification, certification or eligibility requirements and do not imply employer endorsement, approval of, or affiliation with IUSCA. Vacancy information may change, and applicants should review and verify the original employer advert before applying.