PhD Studentship: Optimisation of Academy Football Player Health and Performance (Nutritional) – Loughborough University

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One of three PhD studentships being co-funded by Loughborough University (LU) and Celtic Football Club (CFC). The student will be based at Celtic, splitting their time between practice (e.g., on the pitch, in the gym, supporting day-to-day activities, etc.) and PhD focused activity (e.g., collecting/analysing data, writing their thesis/manuscripts, etc.).

The purpose of each studentship is to support the development of robust players capable of meeting the demands of age-group appropriate football, with foresight towards them having the psycho-physiological apparatus to transition successfully into first-team football.

The three studentships available are:

• Interdisciplinary approaches to optimize academy (age 16+) football (soccer) player health and performance. (Reference SSEHS/CELTIC1)
• Nutritional approaches to optimize academy (age 12-16) football (soccer) player health and performance. (Reference SSEHS/CELTIC2)
• Strength and conditioning approaches (age 12-16) to optimize academy football (soccer) player health and performance. (Reference SSEHS/CELTIC3)

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: Dr Lee Taylor

Entry requirements

Essential

• A first-class undergraduate degree relevant for the PhD studentship applied for.
• Six months experience working hands-on (whether by employment, internship or placement) within professional football.
• Experience collecting, analysing, reporting and visualising data from professional athletes within a field-based environment.
• Well-organised, with the ability to manage own workload and multiple priorities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills evidenced through positive and productive relationships with stakeholders.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Ability to obtain Enhanced DBS and/or Disclosure Scotland checks.

Desirable

• Specific experience working hands-on within the SPL or EPL, at first-team and/or academy level, for one season or more.
• Specific experience collecting, analysing, reporting and visualising data from professional football players within a pitch and/or gym and/or laboratory-based environment.
• Experience with one or more commercially available GPS systems.
• A member of a body related to excellent practice through accreditation, fellowship, and/or registration (e.g., UKSCA, BASES, SENr, ISAK, coaching badges, etc.).
• Other relevant qualifications.
• A postgraduate degree with distinction (70%+) relevant for the PhD studentship applied for and evidence of undertaking empirical research for your Project/Dissertation.

How to apply

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. Please quote the advertised reference number: *project reference number* in your application.

• SSHES/CELTIC1 for Interdisciplinary approaches to optimize academy (age 16+) football (soccer) player health and performance.
• SSEHS/CELTIC2 for Nutritional approaches to optimize academy (age 12-16) football (soccer) player health and performance.
• SSEHS/CELTIC3 for Strength and conditioning approaches (age 12-16) to optimize academy football (soccer) player health and performance.

To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.

Applicants must meet all essential criteria, if you do not, please do not apply. Applications are particularly welcome from candidates who meet three or more of the desirable criteria. Applicants may apply for one studentship only.

Please apply using Times New Roman size 11 font:

• a titled (stating which studentship you are applying for) cover letter briefly (300 words maximum) outlining your motivation, relevant skills and experience;
• systematically, in a concise point-by-point manner, address each of the essential and desirable criteria using a maximum (no minimum) of 150 words per criteria;
• provide a full academic CV;
• provide a one page research proposal.

These four items (1 – 4) should be merged as a PDF, in this order.

Interviews are scheduled to take place on 03 and 04 May 2023. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to attend a CPD course run by Celtic from 14-18 May 2023.