Engagement: Undergraduate Work Placement
Location: The Nigel Doughty Academy, Nottingham, NG2 7SR
Working Arrangements: On site
Reporting to: Head of Academy Performance & Medical
Placement Term: 26/27 Season
Role Overview
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.
Key Tasks and Responsibilities
* 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, TeamBuildr).
* 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 databases with key up‑to‑date physical performance information.
* Uploading relevant information (including session plans) to the Football Intelligence Platform and other shared workspaces (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.
The Candidate
* 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.
General Information
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
What do you get in return?
* £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
Forest For Everyone
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.
Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Mental Wellbeing
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.
Disability Confident Committed Employer
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer, taking positive steps to attract, recruit, and support disabled people. As part of this commitment, we work hard to ensure our recruitment processes are fair, inclusive, and accessible to everyone. We are committed to offering interviews for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for a role and provide reasonable adjustments at every stage from the application process through to ongoing support in the workplace.
If you are likely to meet the definition of being a "disabled person" according to the Equality Act 2010, you may be eligible to apply for an interview via the Disability Confident Scheme. Please indicate this in your application form. The information you share with us about your health or disability will not be used in recruitment selections.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
As part of the Club’s commitment to safeguarding, the successful applicant may be required to undergo a Disclosure Barring Service (“DBS”) check or an enhanced DBS check. The results of a DBS check will be considered on an individual basis, and the Club will act in a proportionate manner when deciding whether or not to proceed with the appointment.
An FA Enhanced DBS disclosure is required for all relevant new appointments to the Club. Individuals will be asked to declare any convictions, cautions or reprimands, warnings or bind-overs that may have been incurred. The Club reserves the right to carry out risk assessments where content has been disclosed on a DBS disclosure if it feels that it is relevant to the job requirements. Failure to satisfy the Club and the PL's safeguarding requirements may lead to the job offer being withdrawn or, if they have already started employment, summary termination of the employment.
Health and Safety
At Nottingham Forest Football Club, we are committed to ensuring a safe and healthy working environment for all employees. In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, you are required to take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions at work. You must also cooperate with the Club's health and safety policies and procedures. Should you identify any health and safety concerns, please report them promptly to your manager or a member of the Health and Safety/Facilities team.
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