Studentship: Evaluation of Clinical Exercise Physiology teaching delivery & placements in the UK

Employer: Liverpool John Moores University

Location: Liverpool

Contract Type: Full time, fixed term, 3 years

Bursary: Stipend (Currently £15,009 per annum) plus cost of Tuition Fees (UK/EU rate)

Full description:

Project overview Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for lifestyle-related diseases (e.g. cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes) and is estimated to cost the UK £7.4bn per annum. Given the extensive benefits of exercise and physical activity (PA) for clinical populations, effective prescription to increase PA and exercise levels is of utmost importance. The UK needs help in devising cost-effective PA strategies that can be effectively integrated into primary and secondary care pathways. Australia’s approach to early detection and prevention of chronic disease is by embedding advanced exercise physiologists, who are allied health professionals, into the public and private healthcare systems. 

This PhD will evaluate current clinical exercise physiology MSc courses in the UK in terms of teaching and placement activities and investigate the skills required of a clinical exercise physiologist from the placement provider/broader society perspective, with the aim to provide alignment between clinical exercise physiology MSc courses and graduate employment opportunities. This PhD is one of a number of studentships that is part of a larger research and evaluation project, funded by Research England International Investment Initiative, between Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) and University of Western Australia (UWA). The student will adopt a multidisciplinary approach that requires an understanding of UK exercise and PA systems and the ability to conduct both quantitative and qualitative research. 

The PhD will involve national and international travel. 

Supervision and environment 

The PhD will be supervised by Prof Helen Jones and Dr Lee Graves in the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences (RISES) at LJMU, with supervision and input from UWA. RISES is a world-renowned research institute employing 55 leading academic staff within the fields of sports science, physical activity and health. In the Research Excellence Framework (Dec 2014), RISES was 11th out of 1911 submissions in all subject areas. The student will be part of a large network of postgraduate students across RISES and will receive a programme of ongoing training and development, including completion of LJMU’s accredited 3is teaching programme. 

LJMU is committed to achieving equality of opportunity. 

Specific eligibility requirements: 

Essential: 

• BSc (minimum upper-second honors degree) in a related discipline, including an empirical research project. 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills 

• Knowledge of exercise and PA interventions in healthy and clinical populations 

• Interest in multidisciplinary approaches to enhancing long-term PA adherence 

• Knowledge and understanding of quantitative and qualitative research 

• Appreciation of the challenges of conducting research within a “real-world” environment 

• Ability to interact, engage, and build rapport with multidisciplinary stakeholders 

• Highly motivated and organised 

Desirable: 

• Relevant postgraduate qualification (e.g. MSc). 

• Previous experience in conducting research studies and disseminating findings (e.g. presentations, publications) 

• Experience of data management (e.g. cleaning, processing, analysing) with large data-sets 

• Experience of working within a clinical or community setting that involves health, PA and/or exercise screening, promotion and/or prescription 

• Experience of relevant data collection techniques (e.g. audit, mapping, questionnaires/surveys, measurement of health-related outcomes using objective and/or subjective measures, interviews, focus groups) 

• Ability to interpret PA and health-related outcome measures 

How to apply: 

Please e-mail your CV and personal statement (max one page A4) to Professor Helen Jones h.jones1@ljmu.ac.uk, by noon on Tuesday 19th April. Your personal statement should make clear how you meet the essential / desirable criteria for the role, highlighting key evidence to support your points. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview on 4th May 2021. 

Informal enquiries to either Professor Helen Jones h.jones1@ljmu.ac.uk or Dr Lee Graves l.e.graves@ljmu.ac.uk