Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Carnegie School of Sport Fully Funded PhD Studentships
Carnegie School of Sport Fully Funded PhD Studentships
Leeds Beckett University, Carnegie School of Sport is looking to recruit to four impactful 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.
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
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 recognise that impact starts and ends with the societal change we seek to address, rather than the research problem or project we have created. Our research and knowledge exchange contribution is enabled by our six University-Designated Centres and Institute.
We are pleased to invite applications for our funded PhD Studentships from candidates wishing to carry out research under one of the research themes of our Centres or Institute:
- Obesity Institute
- Carnegie Applied Rugby Research Centre
- Centre for Active Lifestyles
- Centre for Human Performance
- Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society
- Centre for Sport Coaching
Further details on our Centres and Institute can be found in the Project Overview Section, along with contact details of the Centre/Institute Directors for further information.
We strongly advise potential applicants to discuss their project ideas with the Centre/Institute Director or with staff associated with the Centre/Institute.
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. In addition, we will be encouraging proposals across our Centres/Institute that seek to address under-representation or inequalities within research. All appointments will be based on merit.
The deadline for applications is (midnight) 11 June 2023
View more about our Carnegie School of Sport Building and Facilities
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.
We welcome proposals to undertake a PhD aligned with any of the themes underpinning our Centres/Institute. An overview of the focus of each Centre/Institute can be found below.
Carnegie Applied Rugby Research Centre
Centre Directors: Prof. Ben Jones (b.jones@leedsbeckett.ac.uk) and Prof. Kevin Till (K.Till@leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
The Carnegie Applied Rugby Research (CARR) centre applies innovative scientific and analytical techniques to answer real-world practical problems within Rugby. The CARR centre aims are to 1) Enhance policy, science and coaching for application within and across all levels of rugby, specifically addressing current challenges; and 2) Develop innovative opportunities for individuals (students & staff) through our key relationships / partners to produce international quality and impactful research that enhances applied practice within and across all levels of rugby. We work closely with rugby union and rugby league professional clubs, international and national governing bodies, as well as sports technology companies, to bring together researchers and practitioners with expertise in technology, sport science, coaching, strength and conditioning and player development.
Our work centres on five research themes, which are:
- Training Load and match demands
- Talent Identification and Development
- Injury and illness
- Enhancing nutrition and psychology
- Physical Development
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 addresses two main themes:
- Identifying and improving community and/or service-based PA provision and
- Establishing physiological and biochemical responses and adaptations to exercise and PA
Centre for Human Performance
Centre Director: Prof. John O’Hara (J.OHara@leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
The Centre for Human Performance research spans basic science conducted in our laboratories through to translational science on the track, on the pitch and in the mountains. Although we are interested in optimising human performance, we believe this should never compromise athlete wellbeing and welfare, and the integrity of sport. Therefore, our research also offers a critical understanding of the psychosocial, moral and cultural dimensions of sport.
Our research themes include:
- Optimising endurance performance
- Performance in extreme environment
- Musculoskeletal and orthopaedic sports medicine
- Protecting sporting integrity and welfare (PROSPER)
- Applied Practice in Football
Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society
Here in the Centre for Social Justice in Sport and Society, we believe sport should be socially just for all. Our research and knowledge exchange activities are having real-world impact on tackling inequalities in sport (including PE, the outdoors, leisure, and physical activity). We mobilise this work through our four connected but distinct research themes covering:
- Children, Young People, and Families research
- Disability Sport and Adapted Physical Activity research
- Identities and (In)Equalities research
- Management and Governance research
Centre for Sports Coaching
Centre Director: Prof. Julian North (J.North@leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
The Centre for Sport Coaching provides a focal point for the research and development of sport coaching in the UK and internationally.
The Centre is a partner of the International Council for Coaching Excellence, who are housed within the Carnegies School of Sport. We work extensively with organisations such as UEFA, the Football Association, UK Sport, Sport Scotland, and Nike, amongst many others.
The Centre has links with 39 staff affiliates, and over 80 post-graduate students, and there is extensive engagement in collaborative project working, discussion groups, and dissemination events.
Although we are happy to consider applications from highly motivated and interested students across a broad range of sport coaching issues, we have a particular interest in:
- Effective and ethical sport coaching practice to improve participant and performer development experiences and outcomes
- Coach learning, development, and education
- Coaching policy and systems
With our colleagues in the Centre of Social Justice in Sport and Society we are also very happy to explore issues of inclusion and exclusion in the coaching workforce, and wider issues of social justice in coaching. We look forward to hearing from you.
Obesity Institute
Institute Director: Prof. Carlton Cooke enquiries should be directed to Prof. Louisa Ells(l.ells@leedsbeckett.ac.uk), Prof. Paul Gately (p.gately@leedsbeckett.ac.uk), Dr Claire Griffiths (c.griffiths@leedsbeckett.ac.uk) and Dr Duncan Radley (duncan.radley@leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
The Obesity Institute is unique in applying a multidisciplinary approach to the study of obesity. It brings together strengths in nutrition, dietetics, physical activity, psychology, epidemiology, computing, arts and design and public health from across the university with our patient and public involvement members, working in coproduction with policy and practice partners to address real world priorities. Our research is also firmly embedded within our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, professional training and education, and consultancy. Through this integration, we have the expertise to enhance the implementation, effectiveness and scalability of real-world action.
We develop novel, bespoke approaches to research that lead innovations in the field of obesity. Our team have a wealth of expertise, experience and have a track record of delivering high-impact research and consultation that draws on our academic and applied competencies. In doing so, our research and consultancy has led to many real-world impacts that have improved the understanding, prevention and treatment of obesity. Our themes include
- Public and Patient Involvement and Engagement
- System Approaches
- Tackling Disparities and Patient & Public Involvement
- Weight Management and Wellbeing
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 plus the Centre/Institute name
- 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 Centre or Institute Director or 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
