PhD Studentship - Characterising the Nutritional Requirements of Professional Soccer Match Officials

Project advert

Background

Despite the wealth of research conducted on elite football players, there is a distinct lack of data to inform nutritional recommendations for professional match officials. Considering this, current nutritional recommendations for match officials are typically generalised from those of professional players, without consideration for differences in match and training demands or their physical characteristics. 

The project

An exciting opportunity has emerged to conduct a PhD working between Manchester Metropolitan University and the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL). The successful applicant will be based full-time at the world class Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, joining a vibrant doctoral community, with the opportunity to attend regular training camps and provide remote nutritional support to match officials. As such, the PhD provides a unique opportunity to conduct applied research whilst delivering evidenced based nutritional support. This project will utilise gold-standard approaches in order to characterise the energy intake, expenditure and body composition profiles of professional soccer match officials and will involve both laboratory and field-based data collection methods. With this in mind, the outcomes of this research will help to devise specific nutritional guidelines for this population and enhance nutritional service provision within the PGMOL. 

Project aims and objectives

This overarching aim of this project is to characterise the nutritional requirements of professional soccer match officials in order to devise specific nutritional guidelines for this population. This will be achieved by using gold-standard methods to assess energy expenditure, dietary intake and body composition. 

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

The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements.

Essential

• A first or upper second-class BSc honours degree in sport and exercise sciences, sport nutrition, nutrition or another related subject
• An MSc or equivalent degree in sport and exercise sciences, sport nutrition, nutrition or another related subject

Desirable

• Graduate accreditation (or working towards) with a relevant body e.g. the UK Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register, British Association for Sport and Exercise Science, British Dietetics Association or Association for Nutrition. 
• Experience working in a practitioner role within the sport and exercise nutrition/sciences
• Experience of conducting human laboratory/field based data collection 

How to apply

Interested applicants should contact Dr. Mark Hearris (M.hearris@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-MH-2025-Football nutrition 

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. Please ensure that you take into account our Inclusive and Diverse Culture Strategy when preparing an application.

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