PhD studentship: Elite youth hockey player development during the transition into university

Employer: Loughborough University, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Reference: SSEHS/LB/18
Bursary: Tax free stipend of £14,777 per year for three years and covers tuition fees at the UK/EU rate
Contract Type: Full Time

Description

This project aims to investigate ways of maximising the development of the fitness and performance of youth hockey players as they undergo the transition from school/college to university whilst also aiming to minimise the injury rates during this critical period of development. The work proposed will increase the interaction of academics with sports practitioners on campus and will build on established links with England Hockey and the Fédération Internationale de Hockey. Prof Mary Nevill and Dr Caroline Sunderland from Nottingham Trent University are also part of the advisory team. University sports science support staff acquire Global Positioning System, heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, training loads, illness, injury and wellness data from players. 

The PhD studentship will involve a retrospective review of this acquired data, to establish what existing physiological training and match demands are in the university game and whether these influence injury or illness rates. The studentship will also include the profiling of physiology, biomechanics and training load of all first/second team players and all first-year university players throughout the hockey season to determine how far off first/second team performance levels incoming players are, and if there is a sex difference. Effects of a physiological/strength training intervention to enhance performance and reduce injury risk and illness will also be assessed. 

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in sports science or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in an area of applied sport science will also be an advantage. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced application to the Disclosure and Barring Service (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about ) to confirm their suitability to conduct research with young people. 

International (non-EU) students may apply, and international funding may be available, but is competitive. If international funding is not attained, international students are welcome to apply, but please be advised that it will only be possible to fund the tuition fees at the international rate and no stipend will be available. 

This is a full-time position.  Interview date is week beginning 2 July 2018. 

The preferred start date is 1st January or 1st April 2019.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Laura Barrett (L.A.Barrett@lboro.ac.uk) or Dr Laura-Anne Furlong (L.A.M.Furlong@lboro.ac.uk). 

All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/.

Under programme name, select Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. 

Please quote reference number: SSEHS/LB/18. SSEHS/LB/18 

Employer details

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Graduate School, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career. 

Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/.

The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences has been ranked 1st in the world for Sport-related Subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017 and 2018).