Overview
Sports Science & Innovation Fellow Jobs in Chicago, IL at Youth Sports Science Institute
Title: Sports Science & Innovation Fellow
Company: Youth Sports Science Institute
Location: Chicago, IL
The Sports Science & Innovation Fellowship at the Youth Sports Science Institute (YSSI) offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a growing, mission-driven organization at the intersection of STEM, sports, and equity. Fellows will play an active role in advancing YSSI’s strategic objectives through a designated focus area—ranging from curriculum development and data analysis to communications, fundraising, and partnership engagement.
This role is well-suited for individuals interested in education equity, community-centered innovation, and applied interdisciplinary learning. Fellows will be embedded in YSSI’s core operations, supporting both internal capacity-building and external programming that connects underrepresented youth to future-facing career pathways.
Success in this role is defined by a proactive approach to problem-solving, strong communication and collaboration skills, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to team-driven goals. Fellows are valued not only as contributors, but as thought partners helping to shape the future of YSSI’s work.
Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will vary based on the fellow’s assigned track but may include:
Fundraising & Development Track
Conduct research on prospective funders, grant opportunities, and philanthropic trends
Draft and edit proposal narratives, organizational overviews, and impact statements
Support the documentation and reporting process for awarded grants and donations
Marketing & Communications Track
Assist in crafting clear, consistent messaging across digital and print platforms
Contribute to the design and dissemination of outreach materials and media assets
Support brand management and public visibility through editorial and visual content
Partnerships & Outreach Track
Maintain databases of prospective and current partners
Support relationship-building activities, including scheduling, follow-up, and event logistics
Prepare briefing documents and synthesis memos for leadership
Curriculum & Instructional Design Track
Assist in the research, development, and refinement of youth-facing instructional content
Translate technical STEM concepts into accessible, engaging educational materials
Provide feedback on workshop implementation and user experience
Data & Insights Track
Collect, organize, and analyze programmatic and participant-level data
Contribute to internal reporting tools, infographics, and evaluation dashboards
Synthesize findings to support continuous learning and strategic decision-making
Qualifications
Demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas: STEM education, youth development, data science, community engagement, or nonprofit strategy
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with attention to detail and clarity
Proactive, self-directed, and capable of managing multiple tasks with minimal oversight
Familiarity with platforms such as Google Workspace, Canva, Tableau, Notion, or R/STATA/SPSS is a plus
Experience in applied research, teaching, curriculum development, communications, or public engagement is welcomed but not required
Current undergraduate or graduate student, recent graduate, or early-career professional preferred
