Academy Sports Science Undergraduate Placement Student

Engagement

Undergraduate Work Placement

The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR

On site

Head of Academy Performance & Medical

26/27 Season

We have an exciting opportunity for x3 undergraduate students for the 2026/27 football season. The Club is offering and seeking strong, dedicated, and driven students to partake in an Academy Sports Science placement. This position is available to undergraduate students only, who are on their placement year from University. This positions will be based within our Category One Academy (across various teams).

The role will be varied and will require a hardworking dedicated individual. In exchange we can guarantee that the experience you will gain from the role will stand you in great stead for any future career in the business or professional football sector. In order to get the best from this opportunity, it is imperative that applicants are able to commit to the position for the entire 2026/27 season.

• Supporting the S&C department in the delivery/coaching of the athletic development programme (pre-activation, on-pitch conditioning, gym, rehab).
• Using current technologies to assist with the collection, management and analysis of physical profiling data (inc. VALD performance, Speed Gates, Tableau, Kangatech, Team Buildr).
• Supporting with daily monitoring (Catapult GPS) and building reports to share key insights.
• Being actively present at training sessions to monitor and support the performance staff where required.
• Maintaining data bases with key up-to-date physical performance information.
• Uploading relevant information (including session plans) to the Football Intelligence Platform and other shared work spaces (sharepoint, teambuildr etc.).
• Supporting the Academy nutritionist with delivery of our nutrition syllabus.
• Managing gym equipment and ensuring high standards of working spaces.
• Participating in and being an active contributor in departmental and MDT meetings.
• Being proactive and innovative, whilst driving research that adds value to the club and department.
• Daily administrative tasks relevant to the role.
• Be proactive with key duties to aid with training preparation (water bottles, GPS/Heart rate set up etc.).
• Assist with match day duties, including but not exclusive to packing equipment, weigh ins, conditioning/warm ups.
• Support with wellness and fatigue monitoring processes.
• Producing a reflective document to report at the end of year as part of the internship programme.

• Studying for a BSc in Sports Science or equivalent – student must have a mandatory year-long placement (sandwich year) as part of their degree.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team
• A strong work ethic
• Eagerness to learn and enthusiastic about Sports Science
• Knowledge of field and gym-based training
• Experience coaching in sport
• Applied knowledge of anatomy and physiology
• Experience/passion for building reports to analyse key data insights

The candidate must keep up to date with new methods, and undertake any internal or external training sessions in association with the club. Due to the nature of the role, the candidate must be available to work evenings and weekends. Prior to starting, the successful candidate will have an enhanced DBS check which will be carried out by the club.

As part of the placement, the club will be able to support the candidate in any studies or research projects that they might be undertaking as part of their academic studies. These include, but aren’t limited to:

• Final projects
• Professional practice pieces
• Contemporary research methods
• Examining a professional environment
• Independent research projects

• £500 Contribution to living allowance per month
• Opportunity to work in an elite environment
• Learning and development opportunities through internal CPD
• Breakfast and lunch included
• Full club kit

At Nottingham Forest Football Club we are committed to creating an environment where differences are respected, individuality is celebrated, everyone feels valued, supported, and included. Our goal is to ensure every member of our team can be themselves, contribute fully, and reach their potential without barriers.

As an equal opportunities employer, we welcome applications from talented people of all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We continue to develop policies and practices that promote equality, diversity, inclusion and mental wellbeing across our workforce. To help us measure progress and hold ourselves accountable, we ask all applicants to provide accurate diversity information during the recruitment process.