PhD Studentship: Talent Identification of Youth Soccer Players within Professional Academy Settings (with Manchester United FC)

Project summary

Talent identification is multifaceted and scientific research that provides evidence informed information to key stakeholders (i.e., coaches, scouts) to support their decisions regarding player identification, selection and deselection is emerging. In collaboration with Manchester United FC and Manchester Met, a three-year PhD studentship has arisen, to be embedded within the academy department, to support the male youth academy coaching and sport science staff and conduct talent identification-related research.

The successful candidate will develop audits of the current scientific information that is used to inform key stakeholders decisions on talent identification, selection and deselection. Looking at their perceptions of the effectiveness of this current information, as well as developing  and validating new tests that aim to provide information on technical, tactical and psychological skills of youth elite soccer players. The candidate will be responsible for all aspects of the research project from data collection to publication.

Aims and objectives

The aim is to better understand talent identification processes within youth male soccer at a professional soccer academy, following a multidiscipline and longitudinal approach.

The objectives are:

1. Understand the current scientific evidence that is collected/used by practitioners (e.g., coaches/scouts) that underpins the talent identification and (de)selection processes within a professional youth soccer academy.
2. Understand practitioner perceptions of potential future predicters of talent such as technical, psychological, and game intelligence skills.
3. Examine the potential validity and reliability of tests that can be used to accurately predict technical, psychological, and game intelligence skills of future expert players within a professional youth soccer academy.
4. Understand the impact of implementing testing/monitoring of future predicters to the identification and (de)selection processes within a professional youth soccer academy.

Specific requirements of the project

Essential

• First class or upper second class (2:1) degree (or equivalent) in Sports Science, Physiology, Medicine, Psychology, Coaching, or other Sports related degree
• An ability to critique and analyse scientific evidence, methodology and data
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills
• Proficient with Microsoft office, specifically Microsoft Excel

Desirable

• Experience working in soccer (e.g., Sport Scientists, Physiologists, Strength & Conditioning Coach)
• MSc or Research Masters in Sports Science or other Sports related degree
• Proficient at conducting sport science testing (e.g., physical, psychological assessments etc)
• Competent with programming / coding software (i.e., R / python etc)

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr Matthew Andrew for an informal discussion. To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sport and Exercise Science (or download the PGR application form). You should also complete a standard or Narrative CV demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest.

If applying online, please upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to mailto:PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk. Closing date 22 July 2024. Expected start date October 2024.

Quote the reference: SciEng-MA-2024-youth-soccer-players

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