PhD Studentship - The Acute Physical, Physiological, and Perceptual Responses to Training and Competition in Elite Referees

Project advert

There is a shortage of high-quality data relating to the acute responses to training and competition in elite match officials. Consequently, recovery strategies, and training organisation, are often based on data derived from elite football players; tasks requiring very different physical, physiological, and cognitive demands, performed by a very different population. Whilst an understanding of the acute physical, physiological, and perceptual responses to training and competition is vital to inform the implementation of training and recovery strategies, this information is currently lacking. As such, practitioners responsible for the recovery, preparation and physical performance of match officials would benefit from evidence-based procedures to guide and implement highly specific, effective recovery and training strategies.

This PhD programme will investigate the acute physical, physiological, and perceptual responses to training and competition in elite match officials. The findings of this work will provide information to inform recovery strategy implementation, as well as the within-micorcycle training organisation of elite referees and assistant referees, raising performance standards across the profession.

Project aims and objectives

This project aims to inform recovery strategy implementation, and within-week training organisation, through investigating the acute physical, physiological, and perceptual responses to training and competition in elite referees and assistant referees.

The project will do so through:

• Identifying the current recovery practices of elite referees and assistant referees
• Describing the acute physical, physiological, and perceptual responses to training and competition
• Identifying the contextual factors that influence the acute post-match physiological, physical, and perceptual responses.
• Helping to inform the within-microcycle organisation of training in elite match officials.

Funding

The student will be in receipt of a stipend payment; the Research Council minimum rate (set by UKRI) £20,780 for 2025/26.

This opportunity is only available to Home students. Home fees are covered.

Specific requirements of the candidate

Applicants should have:

• Knowledge and experience of standard research techniques and methods within sport and exercise science, and the ability to develop skills further in this area, particularly in assessing physical, physiological, and perceptual responses to training and competition;
• A personable approach, being able to work collaboratively with referees and performance staff;
• Strong knowledge of the physiological responses to training and competition;
• The ability to collate, interpret, and analyse data;
• A keen and active interest in the physical preparation and development of elite sport performance

Additional, desirable attributes include:

• British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) accreditation
• Applied experience providing physiological support to elite athletes
• Experience of objective and subjective markers for assessing fatigue and recovery.

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr Laurence Birdsey (l.birdsey@mmu.ac.uk) 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.

You should also complete a narrative CV addressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have map to the area of research, how your experience makes you suitable for this position, and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

You will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal or email the application form and statement to PGRAdmissions@mmu.ac.uk. 

Closing date: 30 May 2025

Expected start date: October 2025

Please quote the reference: SciEng-LB-2025-Acute responses football

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