Sport Science

Program Overview

VIS Sport Science has achieved a total focus on improving performance through the integration of internal and external scientists and consultants into VIS programs. The key discipline areas of VIS Sport Science are Physiology, Biomechanics, Psychology, Human Perception and Performance, Sports Engineering and Computer Science.

VIS Sport Science has a diverse staff with qualifications and experience in the traditional areas of sport science and new areas such as aerospace engineering, industrial design and computer hardware and software design. This has led to a large array of in-house skills to draw upon and the emergence of some exciting projects within VIS Sport Science.

VIS Sport Science staff:

Dr Susie Parker-Simmons (Sport Science Coordinator)
Dr Dan Dwyer (Sport Scientist)
Nick Sanders (Sport Scientist)
Cathryn Pruscino (Sport Scientist)
Danielle Stefano (Sport Scientist)
Sylvie Withers (Sport Scientist)
Doxi Geroyiannis (Sport Scientist)

The VIS external service provider network:

Melissa Arkinstall - Exercise Research Australia

Student Placements in VIS Sport Science:

VIS Sport Science offers one-year student placements to undergraduate and postgraduate university students. These placements are for a minimum of 10 hours per week. Go to the Students section to read about or apply for one of the student placements. We look forward in anticipation to potentially having you join our team.

Please note: student placements are not offered to high school students.

Students

Placement Overview

VIS Sport Science offer one-year student placements to undergraduate and postgraduate university students. These placements are for a minimum of 10 hours per week over a 12 month period, starting in July. Placements are unpaid.

This is an exciting opportunity for prospective scientists to gain valuable practical experience in preparing elite athletes and working alongside some of Australia’s leading applied sport scientists.

Sport Science Student Placement Description

Summary

Remuneration

Nil

Position Description

1. Summary of the broad purpose of the position and its responsibilities/duties

This placement will be located in the VIS Sport Science Department. The student will be directly supervised by a VIS Sport Science staff member to deliver general and specialised sport science services to VIS athletes. The placement will be for 12 months. Students are requested to contribute at least 10 hours per week.

2. Reporting/Working Relationships

Responsible to the Sport Science Co-ordinator, VIS, and liaising to other VIS sport scientists, coaches and athletes.

3. Special Conditions

Frequent out of hours work is required.
Travel is also required.
This position is not paid. Students currently enrolled in university degrees must complete this placement as a fieldwork opportunity. Personal liability insurance must be taken out for successful applicants in order to complete the placement.

4. Statement of Key Responsibilities/Duties

Students will either be assigned to a particular sport or assigned to various projects in general sport science. Student placements will assist with a number of initiatives in any area of VIS Sport Science, including:

Laboratory and Field-based physiological fitness assessment
Strategies to accelerate recovery and regeneration after training and competition
Practical strategies for beating the heat and humidity during summer
Hydration monitoring and formulation of tailored hydration strategies
Health and wellness monitoring during heavy training and major competitions
Close monitoring of training loads through physiological monitoring of athletes
Technique analysis (both qualitative and quantitative) using simple laptop-based software products during training and competition
Analysis of technique via remote access through web-based software
Match or notational analysis using various software products specifically tailored to your sport
Race profiling for changes in speed, efficiency, work output, fatigue and physiological markers
Statistical analysis and feedback during and after competition

To ensure their own safety and the safety of others, employees must work in a safe manner and comply with all VIS policies and procedures that relate to Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare. This includes current Working with Children Check, CPR and first aid qualifications.

Application Details

Who is eligible?
Student placements are available to undergraduate or postgraduate students studying Exercise and Sport Science or an equivalent degree with an interest in providing high quality support for VIS athletes. Applicants with other related degrees such as Sports Engineering and Computer Science, for example, may also be considered. Applicants must hold a current driver licence to be eligible for the placement. Student placements are NOT offered to high school students.

All applicants must provide the following with their application:

Cover letter
CV
Most recent academic record

Cover letter must address the following key points in one A4 page or less:

1.Why the applicant would like the placement (career aspirations).

2.Knowledge of lab/field testing, lactate/hydration/training monitoring, performance analysis, and technology (cameras, software etc).

3.Practical experience in lab/field testing, lactate/hydration/training monitoring, performance analysis, and technology (cameras, software etc).

Applications submitted without meeting the above requirements will NOT be processed.

Desirable qualifications:

The following qualifications are considered desirable for the student placement application as they will be required to be completed in order to fulfil the duties/responsibilities of the placement:

Working with Children Check
CPR
First Aid
ISAK (optional)

Key Dates:

Applications close: Wednesday 20^th April 2011
Interview dates: 23^rd – 25^th May 2011
Induction/Workshops: 27^th, 28^th & 29^th June 2011
Starting date: Week of the 4^th July 2011.

How to Apply:

Applications are due no later than close of business Wednesday 20^th April, 2011. To apply, please send two (2) hard copies of your application (including cover letter, CV and academic record) to:

Susie Parker-Simmons

Sport Science Coordinator

Victorian Institute of Sport

PO Box 12608

A'Beckett Street
Melbourne

Victoria8006