Senior Principal Investigator Sensory Perception
NIKE Sport Research Lab - Greater China

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NIKE, Inc. does more than outfit the world's best athletes*. It is a place to explore potential, obliterate boundaries and push out the edges of what can be. The company looks for people who can grow, think, dream and create. Its culture thrives by embracing diversity and rewarding imagination. The brand seeks achievers, leaders and visionaries. At NIKE, it’s about each person bringing skills and passion to a challenging and constantly evolving game.

Innovation is oxygen for NIKE, Inc., and the company depends on its talented, global workforce to breathe originality and curiosity into everything they do. The NIKE Advanced Innovation team strives for lighter, faster, bigger, smarter, smaller, more efficient, more sustainable and more personal. They imagine, research, analyze and invent the next industry-changing technology to advance athletic performance. In roles that span research, design, materials and manufacturing, the Advanced Innovation team looks to the future and focuses on making the seemingly impossible, possible.

The NIKE Sport Research Lab – Greater China (NSRL GC) is a multidisciplinary team of researchers, innovators, and scientists who lead with science to generate detailed understanding of the Chinese athletes* and consumers. We deliver validated insights and state-of-the-art capabilities to drive the future of NIKE products and services. As diverse as our athletes* and consumers are, our evidence-based solutions meet the constantly evolving demands of sport and life. We apply scientific methods and research results to drive new concepts and platforms across multiple Innovation teams, specifically targeted for our Greater China geography.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a Senior Principal Researcher, Sensory Perception.  This role leads the implementation and execution of a Sensory Perception research program at NIKE Sports (China) - defining strategy, aligning stakeholders, and being a creative catalyst for a new and better understanding of the Chinese Athlete, leading to product and service innovation - through a portfolio of evidence-based research programs in the NIKE Sport Research Lab – Greater China.  Our research will aim at providing measurable and palpable benefits for athletes* across gender and sport primarily focusing on our Greater China geography.  You will drive understanding of the athlete* experience with products and services by unlocking what product levers or cues drive the liking of those experiences. Areas of focus will be broad, ranging across footwear and apparel attributes such as feel, fit, comfort, and others.

The candidate needs to be an applied, creative expert in the areas of Perception Science or related field (sensory science, neuroscience) and have the ability to lead a team of researchers and influence creative product and business teams across NIKE Inc.

WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON

• As the Senior Principal Researcher Sensory Perception, you will create a vision and strategy for implementation of our Sensory Perception Research capability at NIKE Sports (China). You will create the opportunity landscape, with recommendations for where NIKE Greater China should focus.

• You will be the driver of a robust portfolio of research aimed at understanding the product levers and cues that drive liking of NIKE products and services, with a focus across gender, sport, and abilities, primarily focusing on our Greater China geography. 

• As a creative catalyst for new product innovation, you will apply scientific knowledge and insights to new products and services across different innovation teams.

• You will be the knowledge-based expert at NIKE in the area of Sensory Perception Science as it applies to the opportunities for NIKE. 

• As the Senior Principal Perception Researcher, you will represent NIKE at external conferences and with media.

• In addition, you will be a resident expert for all of the Sensory Perception research tools used by the NIKE Sport Research Lab – Greater China staff and will align with Nike Sport Research Lab World Headquarters perception team related to methodology and best practices.

• Tasks related to NSRL GC Research Operations to ensure smooth processes regarding research facilities, research integrity, and research execution round up the work portfolio.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH

• You will bridge and align common research efforts with our partners from NIKE Sport Research Lab in the US regarding research strategy and execution.

• You will work as an applied expert and influence creative product teams across Innovation and NIKE, as well as aligning strategy and insights with NIKE Greater China business functions. 

• You will engage with teams at different points in the spectrum of concept development, from those looking to understand athlete* Sensory Perception Science opportunities, to teams that have ideas and solutions in mind.

• You will be “hands-on” with product “solutioning” in collaboration with a variety of teams including but not limited to merchandising, innovation, product development, and technology. 

• You will report on and share storytelling of program progress and impactful insights with a variety of NIKE leaders.

• You will mentor, guide and lead researchers on the team within NIKE Sport Research Lab – Greater China in a portfolio of work.

• You will also work with external researcher experts in the field specifically in Greater China and around the world to help inform and execute your portfolio of work.

WHAT YOU BRING

• Ph.D. + 4 years of experience or Masters +10 Years experience in Sensory Perception Science or related field.

• Expertise in Sensory Perception Science, with the skills and ability to conduct research and apply scientific insights regarding qualitative and quantitative research approaches.

• Understands and has experience in applying and developing the state of the art in technical tools and techniques in the area of Sensory Perception Science.

• Experience in creation of a vision and strategy with respect to implementation of Sensory Perception Science capabilities and knowledge to product or service.

• Experience in executing research agendas, with specific expertise in the scientific method, including but not limited to: Observation, formulation of testable hypotheses, experimental design, statistical methods, data analysis and interpretation of results.

• Experience driving a portfolio of research aimed at understanding the product levers through an enhanced Perception Science lens. 

• Experience in leading and mentoring researchers with empathetic attitude and personality.

• Applied: Looking for someone who has a proven track record of applying scientific knowledge and insights to products or services. Willing to jump in and get “hands-on” with product and prototyping.

• Creative scientist, with experience or aptitude for acting as a catalyst for new product innovation. 

• Open and able to work effectively with creative and technical product teams across Innovation and NIKE. 

• Skilled and experienced in communicating scientific research, insights and storytelling to both scientist and non-scientists.

• Bilingual language capabilities in Chinese and English.

• Bonus: Knowledge and experience in Behavior Science.

• Attention: Candidates with background from diverse industries encouraged to apply.

NIKE, Inc. is a growth company that looks for team members to grow with it. NIKE offers a generous total rewards package, casual work environment, a diverse and inclusive culture, and an electric atmosphere for professional development. No matter the location, or the role, every NIKE employee shares one galvanizing mission: To bring inspiration and innovation to every athlete* in the world.

NIKE, Inc. is committed to employing a diverse workforce. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or disability.