Careers in sport science and engineering
So you want to be a sports engineer?
For many people, a career in sports engineering seems like the perfect way to combine their passion for sport and technology. Those of us who are fortunate enough to have established a career in sports engineering will probably agree that we are very lucky indeed. Of course, the practical realities of this job are sometimes a little less glamorous than you might think, but to be able to work in a sector that holds such a special fascination is a very privileged position indeed.
Over the years, a great many people have asked me how to best gain a foothold in the world of sports engineering. Unfortunately it is not always clear what the various options are, or what career opportunities might lay ahead. This article will attempt to provide a little clarity, and hopefully some helpful advice!
First of all, it is important to understand what sports engineering actually is. Opinions may differ, but in essence, sports engineering is concerned with the research and development of technologies for the sports industry. The field is very broad and encompasses a wide range of activity. Sports engineers can be involved with projects as diverse as designing mountain bike suspension to developing image processing algorithms. The subject is fundamentally technical in its nature and attempts to quantify the performance gains that might be achieved through a particular design or method. It is important to recognise that the sports engineer is not a sports scientist; and whilst there is a good deal of overlap, the two fields are actually quite distinct. I have often remarked that a sports scientist is concerned with what is going on inside an athlete whilst the sports engineer deals with everything on the outside; namely their equipment and environment. Whilst this definition may not be completely robust, there is a modicum of truth in it!
Many sports engineers have a background in a traditional academic discipline such as mechanical engineering. Previous study in an area such as this provides a solid platform to develop the specialist expertise required by industry. However, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering is certainly not the only route that can be taken; many sports engineers have backgrounds in electrical engineering, material science, medical physics, mathematics or pure physics to name a few. Also, there are an increasing number of sports engineering and sports technology degree programmes; more of which below. Because sports engineering encompasses such a broad church of activity, individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds can be very successful. Nonetheless, a common trait is apparent in all successful sports engineers, and that trait is a love for sport that can only be rivalled by their obsession for science and technology.
Over the past decade, a great many new undergraduate courses in sports engineering have appeared in university prospectuses, particularly in the UK. This trend reflects the maturity of sports engineering as an established academic field and a growing sports equipment industry that is driven by technical performance. Undergraduate courses in sports engineering differ widely in their quality and scope. Some excellent courses are essentially a traditional engineering degree that has been modified to use sporting examples; whist other courses are more focused on product development and are allied to industrial design. If you are thinking of starting an undergraduate degree in sports engineering it is really very important to know what type of course you are looking at. Is the course accredited by a professional engineering body such as the IMechE? Is this important to you? Have graduates been successful in gaining employment within the sports equipment industry? Are the skills that you will be developing on the course transferable to other sectors?
Careers in sports engineering are real but they are less abundant than in other fields of engineering. Unfortunately not all graduates will be able to find their dream job when they graduate and many will transfer to other areas. A good question to ask before you start might be; what would an employer from a different engineering sector think my sports engineering degree?
In my experience, employers look for engineering skill first and knowledge of sport thereafter. This is somewhat obvious, but alas many individuals assume that just because they love sport they have the necessary attributes to become a successful sports engineer. The reality is that sport is a competitive business and just as companies will look to the best athletes to endorse their products, they will also look to the best engineers to conduct research and development.
It is my personal opinion that it is often better to develop a broad and solid grounding in a subject area before specialising in a specific field. One should really try to understand the fundamental science in question before the application. In this respect I think that a post-graduate qualification (MSc) in sports engineering is a sensible option. Developing your core skills in a technical subject during your first degree allows you to keep your options open, and a post-graduate qualification will enhance and apply your existing knowledge base to the sporting environment.
There is no formula for becoming a sports engineer and unfortunately no university course can guarantee you success in your ambitions. Ultimately it comes down to perseverance, making the most of every opportunity, taking a chance and perhaps just a little bit of luck!
Dr David James, Senior Lecturer, Sports Engineering Group, Sheffield Hallam University
Job vacancies
Posted 27 March 2012
Product Developer/Designer @ D3OLab, Portslade, Brighton, East Sussex
Salary based on experience
D3O Lab is a dynamic, exciting and maturing company with patented, branded material technology that is very much in demand across a wide variety of markets, primarily; motorsports & sports but also encompassing medical, military, automotive & industrial. The company develops and produces innovative high performance solutions for impact protection. The unique selling point of the product is best described by our web site:www.d3o.com/d3o-technology
Job Details
We are looking for a versatile and energetic individual with at least 5 years Product designing experience. As the company grows we are looking for someone who can develop with the company and take on more responsibility as growth and opportunities will naturally develop. The role is focussed on:
- You will be a member of the R&D team, working in multi-disciplinary teams, designing new products and developing them from conception to execution.
- Concept developing.
- Mould/tool preparation and construction.
- Casting the polymer to understand geometry constraints.
- Testing of prototypes and production products to understand and resolve weaknesses in the design.
- Use of project management tools to monitor the progress of the project.
- The role requires working closely with the D3O account managers, clients and their factories.
- Work independently with minimal supervision from initial task assignments/objectives to completion of the project.
- Undertake where appropriate, FMEA, reliability, concepts of life predictions, to make sure a product is adequately engineered for the application.
- This role is also a chance to drive and shape the Product Development of a technology business.
Your Experience & Skills
- University degree in Product designing/engineering discipline.
- 5 years experience minimum in related industries.
- Proficient with CAD/CAM and Solid Works package.
- Experience in dealing with Asian factory developers and in designing with plastic is highly recommended.
- Knowledge of various types of manufacturing equipment and the limitations.
- Must be able to design for reliability CE standard.
Travel – Some required
Languages – Fluent English required, additional languages are very welcomed
How to apply - By CV and cover letter to jobs@d3olab.com by 24th April 2012
Posted 20 March 2012
PhD Studentship available in the Sports Technology Research Group at Loughborough University
The Biomechanics of Golf Performance and Integration into Golf Coaching
The Sports Technology Research Group has a strong history in golf equipment research and, more recently, golf biomechanics research. The group has provided biomechanical support to a leading European Tour golfer including 3D motion analysis systems, force plates, EMG and high speed video to analyse the golfer’s swing and has recently formalised this support service to be available to any elite golfer. However, despite the growing use of biomechanics in golf coaching, much remains to be understood regarding which technique parameters are fundamental to performance. The aim of this project, therefore, will be to investigate the key biomechanical parameters associated with successful golf performance including the methods / technology by which they can be reliably measured in the biomechanics lab and integrated into the coaching environment. It is expected that the methods developed will feed into the elite golfer support service. This project requires knowledge and experience in the following areas: experimental sports biomechanics, golf performance and research methods in studies involving human participants. It will be supervised by Dr Jon Roberts and Dr Steph Forrester.
The Sports Technology Research Group at Loughborough University (sti.lboro.ac.uk) has considerable experience in analysing sports equipment and human performance in a wide range of sports of which golf is one of the central themes. The group has extensive laboratory facilities within the Sports Technology Institute, and a strong reputation in working with the leading Sporting Goods Companies in product testing, development and innovation.
Application requirements: A first class or upper second-class honours bachelor’s degree and optionally a master’s degree with distinction, at least one with a significant biomechanics component. Strong practical laboratory skills, excellent spoken and written communication skills and good computer competency are also necessary.
To apply: In the first instance applicants should send their CV and covering letter to Dr Steph Forrester (s.forrester@lboro.ac.uk), deadline 6th April 2012. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed either the w/c 9th April or 16th April 2012. Thereafter, the successful applicant for each project will be supported in applying for a Wolfson School scholarship. The successful applicants must be eligible for UK/EU funding, and will receive an annual stipend of £11,500 to £13,590 plus tuition fees.
Informal enquires: Should be directed to Dr Steph Forrester (s.forrester@lboro.ac.uk) or Dr Jon Roberts (j.r.roberts@lboro.ac.uk).
PhD Research Studentships (3 year full-time) ref: CV/PF/SF/2012
Theme: Artificial Turf Performance
Artificial turf pitches are commonly used for a variety of sports, such as football, hockey and rugby. Their mechanical properties are designed to suit the requirements of the specific sport and achieved through appropriate selection of carpet design, infill and shockpad materials. Their performance is dependent on the design, construction quality, usage and aftercare (maintenance). This growing topic of research combines human performance science with artificial sports surfaces engineering and novel measurement and modelling techniques.
Much research has been carried out, in general, on sport surfaces with regard to product development and to an extent both how the surfaces influence the users and how the users influence the surface. Many important and stimulating questions remain, however, in developing a full understanding of the complex interactions of users and equipment with surfaces with added aspects of temporal and spatial behaviour. Much of this past research has been based at Loughborough University in the Sports Technology Institute’s Sport Surfaces Research Group (SSRG) led by Dr Paul Fleming (design, materials behaviour and mechanical testing) and Dr Steph Forrester (biomechanics of user interactions). Current projects include: Kinetics and kinematic effects of surface variability; Effects of traction and hardness on player movement; Measurement of surface system response to mechanical and player loading; The science of surface maintenance techniques; Sustainable drainage design. Recent completed studies include: Traction behaviour of outdoor Football pitch surfaces; Elastomeric shockpads for outdoor pitches; Performance of Water-based Hockey pitches. The research group are also active in related research investigations for player footwear, player perception, test apparatus development, field monitoring, user simulation and mathematical modelling.
The SSRG aims to be the world leading research group for ‘sport surface science’. The group has formal international links with similar research groups in Melbourne and Singapore, and informal links with groups in Calgary, Maastricht, Valencia, Munich, Pennsylvania. In the UK it has links with the research groups with some common interests including Cranfield, Exeter, Sheffield. It is the lead collaborator and founder of the ‘SportSURF’ research network (http://sportsurf.lboro.ac.uk) and through this organises and hosts the STARSS international conferences (2007, 2010) on sport surfaces. The group also has strong industrial links through the Sport and Play Construction Association (SAPCA), the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG), Sport England and the national sports governing bodies. The group has attracted funding for infrastructure including dedicated testing laboratories, industry standard equipment and a range of research equipment.
The Sports Technology Institute was founded in 2007. It houses a core team of staff and researchers with state of the art laboratories and workshops providing a unique world leading centre for research and training.
There exist ongoing opportunities to join the SSRG team, primarily through PhD studentships in the following areas:
- Player Assessment Testing
This project aims to develop a suite of valid and reliable tests that can be performed on artificial turf pitches to evaluate their performance from a player perspective. These are likely to include player perception and movement tests, the latter ranging from basic movements through to sport specific and in-game scenarios. A key aspect is the sensitivity of the tests, which must to sufficient to distinguish between pitch surfaces of different properties. Such tests would represent a powerful tool in the ongoing development of new artificial turf products and in benchmarking performance against natural turf.
- Boot-surface interaction
This project aims to develop a series of appropriate simulated lower limb movements utilising a Fanuc 6 degrees-of-freedom industrial robot. The combination of the simulated movements and a portable force plate and pressure measurement system will enable a range of boot-surface interaction investigations to be conducted. The outcomes of this work are expected to make a significant contribution to knowledge with regard boot outsole design and develop enhanced guidance for surface system design and construction to reduce excessive strains and potential damage.
- Surface system modelling
This project aims to build a series of mathematical models to enable simulation of performance related mechanical testing and predict the surface system response. Model development will initially focus on impact behaviour (loading and unloading) and is supported by a bank of existing test data from a range of surface systems and test methods. Impact variables include load rate, magnitude and area with surface responses dependent on visco-elasticity and visco-plasticity, damping and energy storage and energy return. The initial modelling is expected to be enhanced and integrated with simple athlete running models.
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Note: Current funding opportunities exist as part of the annual studentship awards schemes, applicants should contact the staff below as soon as practicable.
Application requirements: A first class or upper second-class honours bachelor’s degree and optionally a master’s degree with distinction, at least one with a significant biomechanics component. Strong practical laboratory skills, excellent spoken and written communication skills and good computer competency are also necessary.
To apply: In the first instance applicants should send their CV and covering letter to Dr Steph Forrester (s.forrester@lboro.ac.uk), deadline 6th April 2012 for PhDs to commence in October 2012. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed either the w/c 9th April or 16th April 2012. Thereafter, the successful applicant for each project will be supported in applying for a Wolfson School scholarship. The successful applicants must be eligible for UK/EU funding, and will receive an annual stipend of £11,500 to £13,590 plus tuition fees.
Informal enquires should be directed to Dr Steph Forrester (01509-564824, s.forrester@lboro.ac.uk) or Dr Paul Fleming (01509-222616, p.r.fleming@lboro.ac.uk) Sports Technology Institute, Wolfson School of Engineering.
Posted 7 February 2012
adidas Innovation Team Postgraduate Program - Germany/USA
The adidas Innovation team is currently looking for engineers wishing to gain work experience in the sports industry through a postgraduate program. The adidas Innovation team is a group of dedicated teams working on focused footwear, apparel and hardware projects, driven by the excitement to create product innovation. The team is based out of two offices: Herzogenaurach, Germany and Portland, USA. As an Innovation team member you will be an active player of the Engineering group and you will experience a genuine opportunity to use your engineering competence to contribute towards advanced company projects. Main duties will include concept development, prototyping, computational simulation, materials and geometry optimisation, mechanical and field testing. Education & Skills: Graduated in Mechanical Engineering or similar degree.
High levels of spoken and written English are essential. Good working knowledge and experience of CAE and FE applications as well as MS Office are preferred. Genuine passion for the technical aspects of sport and a desire to apply engineering to sports products. The postgraduate program is for a consecutive period of six months and is open to all nationalities. Start dates are flexible and interviews are conducted throughout the year. Previous applicants need to indicate their continued availability for the post. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
To apply please send detailed CV (Resume) and covering letter describing your suitability for the position. To: Paul Smith, adidas Innovation Team / Engineering, Adi-Dassler-Str. 1-2, 91074 Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany, Email: Paul.Smith@adidas.com MS word attachments only.
Posted 12 January 2012
Posted 21 December 2011
The ITF – Sports Engineer
The International Tennis Federation (ITF), the world governing body of tennis, is recruiting for a Sports Engineer within their Science & Technical department.
As the governing body of tennis, the ITF is responsible for protecting the integrity of the game. This it does, in part, through wide-ranging research, testing and approval programmes based in its world-leading tennis research laboratory in London. The successful candidate will contribute to all aspects of the Science & Technical Department’s activities.
Reporting to the Science & Technical Technologist and based in Roehampton, south west London, this role will be responsible for testing tennis and sports related products as directed by senior staff and to report on the findings of such work through written reports and presentations within pre-arranged deadlines. The successful candidate will be familiar with the operation of all ITF Technical Centre equipment and assist in the development of testing methods and analysis of data, plus maintenance and calibration of equipment, whilst adhering to all health and safety guidelines as applicable.
The successful candidate will have a flexible approach to working to the highest standards with the ability to present data clearly and accurately to both technical and non-technical people. A practical and analytical approach to solving problems is a must, as is fluency in written and spoken English. Computer programming skills, preferably C# or VB.NET, and electrical engineering/electronics are a distinct advantage.
Please email jobs@itftennis.com for a full job description and salary information, or to apply with CV and covering letter. Please put SPORTS ENGINEER in the subject line. Closing date: Friday 13th January 2012.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond individually to candidates so therefore only successful candidates will be contacted for interview.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.
Posted 12th December 2011
3T Cycling
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Candidates to send an email with resume and motivation letter/text to info@3Tcycling.com