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Leeds Beckett University, Carnegie School of Sport - Centre for Active Lifestyles Funded PhD Studentships
Leeds Beckett University, Carnegie School of Sport - Centre for Active Lifestyles Funded PhD Studentships
Each year the Carnegie School of Sport invites applications from individuals with a strong academic record to our funded PhD studentship programme. This is an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic individuals looking to undertake a PhD in a vibrant research environment.
The Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University is purposefully driven by a focus on working together to make a positive difference. Our strength is the breadth and depth of our research, which is underpinned by the disciplinary experience of our colleagues and students. Pursuing an inclusive and ambitious research agenda, we cross the broad spectrum of the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Our research culture is founded upon a genuine commitment and capacity to work with others on real-world applied problems, to achieve impact beyond academia. From our leading work on talent development, coaching practice, and anti-doping, to our research in gender equality, ageing and obesity, we work to apply our knowledge to address some of the key issues facing our communities today.
We are inviting applications for projects across four of our centres and our institute. Information on the projects that are aligned with our Centre for Active Lifestyles are available on this page.
Our studentships are:
- Full-time
- We fund UK fees and provide a stipend of £17,668
- Start date: October 2023
- Location: Leeds, UK
- There are four studentships available for named projects across our research centres and institute
CENTRE FOR ACTIVE LIFESTYLES
Centre Director: Prof. Jim McKenna (J.McKenna@Leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
The Centre for Active Lifestyles aims to respond to the societal need to better understand and deliver Physical Activity to improve Public Health and reduce longstanding social inequalities. The Centre draws on a range of scientific areas – from Psychology to Physiology - to deliver insights and effective campaigns and interventions. We offer a distinctive, innovative, and effective approach to designing, delivering, and evaluating tailor-made programmes. Our highly translational approach blends the best of science with the cutting-edge of best practice to support individuals, groups, and/or whole communities to become more physically active.
The Centre for Active Lifestyles three PhD projects are (see project overview section below):
- Physical interventions and biomechanical changes following pelvic fusion in people with hypermobility syndrome.
- The role of interleukin 6 and its blockade on metabolism in obesity and inflammation
- Neurophysiology of the Retired Athlete
We strongly advise potential applicants to discuss their proposals with the contact listed in the project overview section.
Encouraging applications from under-represented groups
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive PGR community that will bring different perspectives to our work. Therefore, we welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly Black, Asian and people from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, women, LGBTQ+ and people with a disability. All appointments will be based on merit.
The deadline for applications is (midnight) 11 June 2023
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Funding will consist of UK full tuition fees for three years and the award of a living stipend at UK Research Council rates (£17,668 per annum pro-rata into 12 monthly payments). Funding will be subject to satisfactory progress.
A laptop will be provided and the opportunity to apply for funding to support the research project.
AL1 - Physical interventions and biomechanical changes following pelvic fusion in people with hypermobility syndrome
This project aims to assess the biomechanical and physiological impact of pelvic fusion on mobility, muscle function and cardiovascular health in young hypermobile females. Hypermobility, a condition commonly observed in sports such as gymnastics, presents with chronic joint pain in the pelvis. Pelvic fusion is the last resort, eliminating pain and excessive movement. This intervention may cause biomechanical complications through the adoption of compensatory mechanisms for the fused pelvis, overloading other joints. Moreover, the impact of the 8-week long bed-rest following surgery on muscle and cardiovascular health, and the potential use of prehabilitation have not been studied in this population.
Supervisory Team:
Dr David Lunn
Dr Antonis Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou
This project will use advanced physiological assessments of inflammation, muscle and adipocyte morphology, and metabolism to investigate the role of Interleukin 6 (IL6) and its blockade in metabolism and that of osteocalcin as a potential moderator of these. IL6 is a proinflammatory cytokine key in the pathophysiology of obesity and chronic inflammation. It also participates in glucose and lipid metabolism during exercise. Anti-IL6 medication is common in obesity and several inflammatory conditions. However, people on long-term anti-IL6 medication present with adverse body composition which may relate to impairments in the metabolic role of IL6. Osteocalcin - secreted by the bones during exercise - may counteract the metabolic side-effects of anti-IL6 medication.
Supervisory Team:
Dr Oliver Wilson
Dr Antonis Stavropoulos-Kalinoglou
AL3 - Neurophysiology of the Retired Athlete
Although the neuroprotective effects of exercise have been well documented (Vecchio et al., 2018; research has reported that the prevalence of various neurodegenerative conditions is linked to physical activity history (Chio et al., 2009; Julian et al., 2021). Beyond cohort and cadaveric studies, research into retired athletes has mainly focussed on bone health and cognitive function (Hind et al., 2020). However, an understanding of neuromuscular function in retired athletes is needed to better understand the influence of training and competition on neurophysiological health throughout the lifespan. This research will inform clinicians and other stakeholders in the management of neurophysiological health and will provide insights into the new technologies available for identifying manifestations over the lifespan.
Supervisory Team:
As part of your application, please provide a CV, cover letter and research proposal. The proposal should align to the above theme and include a brief literature review related to this project, with an outline of the studies that you would propose to the answer the aims of the PhD (maximum 5 pages single spaced).
We can only consider complete applications. The research degree application is complete once you have uploaded all of the following:
- Your application form (include the project reference CSS AL (plus the project number)
- Your research proposal, statement of purpose and CV on the Research Proposal Template
- Copies of your bachelors and master certificates, including transcripts
- Copy of your IELTS (or equivalent) certificate (if applicable) further information can be found on our Graduate School FAQs
- Copy of your passport
Email the documentation above to researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
The deadline for applications is midnight on 11 June 2023
Candidates must be available for interview on 26, 27, and 28 July 2023
For candidates outside the UK. Please ensure that you contact our colleagues in Research Admissions prior to starting your application. They will go through the requirements that will need to be undertaken for you to study in the UK. Research Admissions can be contacted on researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Who to contact
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To discuss your application and project proposal please contact the named contacts listed in the Project Overview Section
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For questions on the application process please contact researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
For candidates outside the UK. Please ensure that you contact our colleagues in Research Admissions prior to starting your application. They will go through the requirements that will need to be undertaken for you to study in the UK. Research Admissions can be contacted on researchadmissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
