Run Behavior Researcher II, Run Research Team

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line. 

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:  

• Runner First 
  • We act in the best interest of the runner
• Word is Bond 
  • We do what we say we’ll do 
• Champion Heart  
  • We give our all in everything we do  
• There is no “I” in Run 
  • We stay generous with our humanity 
• Keep Moving 
  • We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement - because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.   

Your Job:   The mission of the Run Research Team is to create and leverage novel, scientific concepts and runner-driven product performance insights to create amazing products to help everyone run their path.   As a Run Behavior Researcher II, you will be an integral part of the Run Research Team, helping to create the future of the run. You will explore how runners move, feel, and respond to product in real-world conditions. You will bring together quantitative data from the run with qualitative feedback from surveys and field studies to understand how running behavior shapes product experience. By connecting the voice, motion, and emotion of runners, you will help guide product design decisions that make every run feel better and more joyful. Your work will bridge data and empathy – ensuring the runner is at the center of every performance innovation. You will work cross-functionally, collaborating with Run Performance Research Scientists, Run Research Physiologists, and Run Research Data Scientists to transform runner insights to innovative products.

Your Responsibilities:

• Design and lead research studies with moderate complexity that capture both the physical and emotional dimensions of the run, including movement usage, usage patterns, and subjective feedback.
• Analyze running behavior through wearable metrics and product usage logs to uncover insights that inform footwear design and performance testing. Identifying new features within established tools to quantify on the run and product experience.
• Integrate qualitative feedback from surveys to understand how runners interpret comfort, performance, and connection to the product.
• Develop frameworks and visualization tools that quantify runner behavior and link it to product perception, that reveal new insights that guide decision making.
• Ensure on-time conclusions regarding product experience informed through the runner in accordance with critical calendar deadlines to enable on time delivery of product to market.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with the Run Research Team, including biomechanists, physiologists, and data scientists, to translate behavioral findings into actionable product direction.
• Communicate findings through visual storytelling and clear summaries that connect complex data to real runner needs. Cross functional teams with non-technical backgrounds must be able to build on ideas and provide feedback.
• Evolve methodologies to capture emerging aspects of running behavior – such as running environment and emotional engagement – ensuring a future-forward understanding of the run.
• Effectively translate research project findings and project status updates to product creation teams (Development, Product Line Management, Design). Provide articulate, persuasive, and actionable conclusions with recommendations for next steps and how projects will drive a positive business impact.
• Teach, train, and present data science principles to other members of the Run Research Team. Present to technical and non-technical groups, clearly communicating data-driven insights.
• May manage up to 1 direct report.
• Other responsibilities as required.

Your Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in biomechanics or related field including engineering, kinesiology, physiology, exercise science, human factors and ergonomics plus 1+ years of relevant work experience or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training (e.g., M.Sc. +3). 6+ years of experience in the performance industry in lieu of a graduate degree.
• Knowledge of athletic performance and injury prevention preferred.
• Understanding of running shoe design features and components and how they influence product experience.
• Proficient Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint skills.
• Proficient in coding to prep, blend, analyze and visualize data (Python, SQL, MATLAB, Qualtrics).
• Experience identifying new features in wearable data that can be translated into research insights.
• Expertise with qualitative and quantitative data collection and study design evaluation, including collecting and analyzing data in an unbiased manner.
• Experience in presenting scientific principles to technical and non-technical groups.
• Keen attention to detail. Organizational and time management skills with the ability to plan, organize and execute tasks with short timelines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with an advanced ability to communicate points of views concisely and functional expertise within project teams.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders with varying skills and perspectives.
• Curious and open minded – always up for a challenge and always looking to improve our products and processes.
• Comfort with uncertainty and absorbing new knowledge fast
• Demonstrated ability to try things quickly rather than waiting for a “perfect” plan.
• Demonstrates an optimistic winning attitude that drives problem solving.
• Demonstrates a growth mindset, seeking and providing feedback regularly.
• Demonstrates ability to operate independently with defined goals.
• Demonstrated ability to develop highly productive relationships with individuals and teams that are made up of diverse disciplines and cultural backgrounds resulting in effective working relationships across the company.
• Be self-driven and show the ability to deliver on ambiguous projects with incomplete data. Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work in a fast paced, changing environment, anticipating and resolving problems in a timely manner.
• A positive attitude that embraces and lives the Brooks values!

Compensation: The pay range for this position, based out of the Brooks Seattle HQ, is $90,129 -$135,193 per year. Base pay offered will vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.     Oher: Brooks is proud to offer a robust benefits package to our employees and their families!   Benefits: including medical, dental, vision, life, and AD&D insurance, disability insurance, HSA and employer contribution, FSA, family & fertility assistance, 401K Savings Plan and match, employee assistance program, and transportation assistance.   Paid Time Off: Brooks offers generous time off, including five weeks of paid time off, eleven paid holidays, paid sick and parental leave.  Bonus: in addition to base pay, Brooks employees may also be offered an annual bonus based on company performance.    Perks: including product discounts, employee recognition, fitness discounts, volunteer and donation benefits.    Location: You will spend 4 days per week in our Seattle offices, as we believe our organization flourishes when connections, collaboration, creativity, problem-solving, and celebrations happen in person.

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.