National Sports Scientist, IRFU High Performance Centre

Will support players within the Women's Centralised Programme through athletic performance data, training and rehabilitation. The role is offered on a full-time, two-year fixed-term basis. It reports operationally and functionally to the Head of Athletic Performance, Women's National Team, and functionally to the Head of Athletic Performance & Science, working closely with Women's National XV and Sevens head coaches, the Senior Athletic Performance Coach, performance support staff, and lead rehabilitation staff.

• Take direct responsibility for the collection, analysis, interpretation, presentation and ongoing management of all athletic performance-related data, notably GPS.
• Facilitate the collection, analysis, visualisation and dissemination of GPS and performance-related data within the Women's Centralised Programme.
• Manage issues and queries with GPS and sports science service providers, including software and hardware.
• Execute and evolve existing sports science systems to support player performance, including readiness monitoring, load management, strength tracking, athletic testing and recovery assessment.
• Assist and, at times, lead pitch-based and gym-based training sessions for players in the Women's programme, as directed by the Head of Athletic Performance, Women's National Team.
• Provide direct sports science and athletic performance coaching support for injured players within the centralised rehabilitation programme.
• Assist and, at times, lead the direct coaching and delivery of training sessions for players within the return to perform (RTP) pathway.
• Ensure GPS and performance-related data are collected, analysed, visualised and disseminated reliably across the Women's Centralised Programme.
• Ensure readiness monitoring, load management, strength tracking, athletic testing and recovery assessment systems run consistently and support the management of player performance.
• Resolve issues with GPS and sports science service providers quickly, with minimal disruption, and ensure coaches and players rate the data and insights they receive as clear and useful in the end-of-season review.

• Recognised degree or Higher National Diploma in physical education, human movement or exercise and sports science.
• A minimum of three years' experience in a sports science (strength and conditioning) position within a rugby environment; candidates without rugby experience may be considered based on experience.
• A verifiable record of using sports science and data to support the management and development of athletes.
• A verifiable record of using GPS from a collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation perspective.
• A verifiable record of programming and coaching across the major components of athletic performance (e.g. warmups, plyometrics, speed and agility, strength and power, and conditioning).
• Effective time management and the proven ability to work within a team and independently.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Self-starter with a proactive attitude.
• Excellent computer literacy skills.
• Eligibility to live and work in Ireland.

• An MSc in a sport or exercise science related area.
• Experience working in women's sport and an understanding of female-specific training considerations.
• Experience delivering sports science support within a rugby environment (XV/Sevens).
• Experience using relevant data science languages and tools (e.g. R and Python).
• Recognised certification in strength and conditioning (e.g. NSCA/CSCS, UKSCA, ASCA).
• Recognised First Aid and CPR certification.

• Salary is dependent on experience.

• 22 days basic annual leave entitlement.
• Family-friendly policies.
• Health insurance from the first day.
• Birthday leave.
• Education assistance programme.
• IRFU Group Scheme – discounts from brands and retailers.
• Wellness initiatives, including self-care leave.
• Bike to work scheme.