Lead Academy Sport Scientist
Department Academy 
Reports to Head of Academy Performance & Assistant Academy Manager
Salary £26000 (pro-rata) – Fixed-term until 31st May 2026
Location The Cledara Abbey Stadium, Training Ground
Hours A minimum of 40 hours per week, including evening and weekends. Flexibility and availability outside of working hours.

Role Summary
 The postholder will be responsible for leading and coordinating the Sport Science provision for the Foundation Phase and Youth Development Phase, ensuring age-appropriate, evidence-based programming that aligns with the club's playing philosophy and the EPPP framework. In addition, the postholder will support the Professional Development Phase by supporting with pitch-based session planning, leading gym-based physical development sessions and managing player data collection, analysis, and reporting processes with the Head of Academy Performance & Assistant Academy Manager.

Key Job Outcomes
 • Create, develop and implement the Sport Science programme for FP-YDP, providing first class physical development, testing and monitoring skills to provide them with the platform to progress through our Academy programme.
• Oversee the delivery of the pitch-based physical development framework for U9-U12s players and provide the Academy Sport Science Intern with the necessary support whilst delivering these sessions. 
• Lead on the delivery of pitch-and-gym-based physical development sessions for U13s-U16s, including Elite Development Group and Emerging Talent Group. 
• Monitor Wellbeing and load monitoring insights for YDP and make key decisions on training load and match exposure.
• Collect and report FP-YDP physical testing, growth and maturation and load monitoring data, in line with EPPP requirements.
• Ensure all data insights are uploaded to KitmanLabs as our centralised store for the MDT to view data, and to build a longitudinal picture of the players in our programme. 
• Provide matchday support for YDP, delivering pre-match warm up, post-match conditioning and recovery as required.
• Develop the Bio-Banding Programme across the FP-YDP, organising training and fixtures both internal and external and gathering feedback on the process to inform future projects.
• Play a key role in the transition from YDP to PDP.
• Design and deliver gym-based Prehab & S&C sessions for PDP players aimed at hitting individual development targets highlighted in testing and IDPs. 
• Contribute to retain and release meetings, providing objective data insights to player’s individual journey’s, highlighting high potential players and making a case for late developers to keep them in the programme.
• Contribute to the CPD programme in the Academy, by attending CPD opportunities to enhance Sport Science provision, and deliver educational content to upskill and develop knowledge of Sport Science, S&C and Nutrition for our players, parents and coaches. 
• Cross-collaborate with all departments (Performance, Coaching, Education, Player Care, Recruitment, Operations) in the Academy to support the holistic development of our Academy players and to optimise the programme.
• To attend meetings as required and undertake additional duties are required by the Academy Manager and Head of Academy Performance & Assistant Academy Manager.

This job description sets out the key outcomes required. It does not specify in detail the activities required to achieve these outcomes. As a term of your employment, you may reasonably be expected to perform duties of a similar or related nature to those outlined in the job description.

Person Specification
Skills, Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience Required/ Desirable
BSc in Sports Science or Strength and Conditioning 
Emergency First Aid in Football (EFAiF) 
Recent and in-date Enhanced DBS, & FA Safeguarding Children Certificates 
Experience working in an elite sporting environment with young athletes 
Experience working in an elite Football Academy setting 
Knowledge of long-term athletic development (LTAD), football periodisation, growth and maturation, and the implications on young athlete development 
Ability to communicate with the MDT to positively influence the programme 
Full UK Driving License 
UKSCA, BASES or NSCA Accreditation (or ability to obtain within 6-12 months) 
MSc in Sports Science or Strength and Conditioning 
UEFA Coaching Badges
 
Personal Qualities/Attributes 
A genuine team player who will support and motivate other members of the team 
Takes responsibility for ensuring a high quality of work 
Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail 
Willing to go above and beyond to help others 
Resilient, adaptable and able to thrive in a high-pressure environment 
Strong communication and decision-making skills 
Hard working, honest and humble 
Passion for LTAD and working with young athletes
 
Application Process
Application Instructions Interested applicants should apply by submitting their application form, CV and Cover Letter, applications which do not include all documents will not be reviewed. 
Application Closing Date 25th November 2025
Interview Date(s) Week commencing 1st December 2025
Start Date 1st January 2026

Mission, Vision & Values Mission
Cambridge United aspires to compete at the highest level of the English Football League, whilst operating a financially sustainable football club embedded within the heart of its community.
We are custodians with a collective responsibility to protect and enhance the Club for future generations.

Vision
Creating Memories  
We engage current and future generations of supporters by creating memorable moments.
Driving Standards & Performance 
We will evolve by driving standards and performance through self-reflection and education. 
Enhancing Lives
We are an inclusive Club that is United in Endeavour to enhance lives through the power of sport.  

Values
We engage positive and inspiring characters who are committed to serving and strengthening our community, by adopting our 3 keys values.
Teamwork  We achieve more through working together than alone and are United in Endeavour.
Hard Work We are committed to learning and working towards our pursuit of excellence in everything we do. 
Humility  We will celebrate each other’s successes and recognise that no individual is greater than the collective.

Employability Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff.  We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit.

Safeguarding Statement Cambridge United FC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment.
For those positions where a criminal record check (DBS) is identified as necessary, this will be carried out in line with other safer recruitment checks.
The post holder will be required to undergo Safeguarding training periodically.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
 Cambridge United FC is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all staff and job applicants. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and welcome applications from disabled candidates. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. 
We aim to create a supportive and inclusive working environment in which all individuals can make best use of their skills, free from discrimination or harassment, and in which all decisions are based on merit. We do not discriminate based on age, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religious or political belief or affiliation, trade union membership, gender, gender reassignment, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation, disability, socio-economic background or any other inappropriate distinction or characteristic covered by the Equality Act 2010.
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