PhD studentship with the FA of Wales:Talent Identification of International Youth Male Soccer Players and the Influence of Growth and Maturation

This is a full-time, funded PhD opportunity in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Open to home and overseas students. Only home fees will be covered - eligible overseas students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding.

This opportunity provides an annual stipend of the research council minimum rate (set by UKRI) £19,237 for 2024/25.

PROJECT CONTACT

Dr Matthew Andrew

PROJECT ADVERT

Talent identification is multifaceted and scientific research that provides evidence informed information to key stakeholders (coaches, practitioners, scouts) to support their decisions regarding player identification, development, selection, and retention is emerging. A key area influencing talent identification is growth and maturation.

In collaboration with the Football Association of Wales this opportunity for a 3-year PhD studentship embedded within the youth male national team will focus on collecting data relating to growth, maturation, and talent identification to support the youth national coaching and sport science staff.

The successful candidate will:

• Develop audits of current scientific information on growth, maturation, and talent identification that are used to inform key stakeholder decisions.
• Develop and validate new tests that aim to provide information on multi-disciplinary performance skills of elite youth soccer players.
• Be responsible for all aspects of the research project, from data collection to publication.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim is to better understand growth, maturation, and talent identification processes within youth male soccer in an international development programme.

The objectives of the project are:

• Evaluate current scientific evidence around growth and maturation and talent identification in youth male soccer players.
• Investigate how multi-disciplinary performance changes in relation to age and maturity status in youth male soccer players.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT

Essential:

• A first class or upper second class degree (or equivalent) in Sports Science, Physiology, Medicine, Psychology, Performance Analysis, Coaching, or other Sports related degree.
• Ability to critique and analyse scientific evidence, methodology and data.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft office, specifically Excel.

Desirable

• Experience working in soccer (e.g., Sport Scientists, Physiologists, Strength and Conditioning Coach).
• MSc or Research Masters in Sports Science, Psychology, Strength and Conditioning or other Sports related degree.
• Sports Science, S&C or Sports Medicine accreditation (BASES, ASCC, CSCS).
• Proficient at conducting sport science testing including fitness, psychological, profiling assessments.
• Competent with programming / coding software (i.e., R / python).

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should contact Dr Matthew Andrew for an informal discussion.

To apply, complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sport and Exercise Science (or download the PGR application form).

You should complete a CV (candidate’s choice of standard or Narrative CV) with a cover letter, addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have, map to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk.

Closing date: 15 July 2024

Start date: October 2024

Please quote the reference: SciEng-MA-2024-FAW-Boys

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