U18s Sport Scientist

Organisation: Heart of Midlothian plc
Salary: Competitive salary plus excellent staff benefits.
Location: Oriam - Scotland’s Sports Performance Centre, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, and away fixture venues.
Contract type: Permanent (Full time)
Closing date: 27 June 2025
Job Description: Heart of Midlothian Football Club, a cornerstone of Scottish football since 1874, has an exciting opportunity for a Sport Scientist to work with our U18s squad. Working within our ambitious and forward-thinking Performance Department, the U18s Sport Scientist will lead a program of sport science support services, including on-pitch and gym-based delivery, GPS load monitoring and fitness testing for our U18s squad. You will play an essential role in the players’ preparation for matches and therefore will be required to attend all U18s fixtures, both home and away.

If you have previous experience of providing Sport Science services within a professional team sport environment, have a degree in Sport Science or related discipline, are highly motivated and passionate about working with and developing young athletes - we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:
• Implement our long-term athletic development framework to support young athletes in preparing for the physical demands of full-time professional football.
• Liaise with the Head of Sport Science to design and plan daily, weekly and monthly training sessions.
• Maintain data management systems for monitoring of players GPS and fitness testing results.
• Adopt a conscientious approach to data entry and use good judgement in the interpretation and dissemination of results.
• Design and deliver gym-based training sessions, conditioning drills, and on pitch warm-ups prior to training and matches.
• Provide off-pitch match day support to the U18s players to enhance their physical readiness and preparation.
• Design and deliver regular fitness testing during pre-season, and at regular intervals throughout the season.
• Work in collaboration with the wider Performance Department including our Doctors, Physiotherapists, Nutritionist, Psychologist and other specialists.

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships and effective communication pathways with players, coaches, the wider Performance Department and employees of the Club.
• Facilitate and proactively contribute to applied research projects as directed by the Head of Sport Science.
• Any other reasonable activities requested by the Head of Sport Science, or Head of Performance.

Essential Experience, Qualifications & Requirements:
• Previous experience of providing Sport Science services within a full-time or part-time professional team sport environment, preferably football.
• Undergraduate degree in Sport Science or related discipline.
• Postgraduate degree in Sport Science or related discipline (Desirable).
• UKSCA accredited or ability to apply within a period of 6 months (Desirable).
• BASES accredited or working towards via supervised experience pathway (Desirable).
• ISAK level 1 accreditation (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.
• Flexibility with weekly working patterns.

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.
How to apply: 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.