This EPSRC-funded PhD project provides an exciting opportunity to be part of ongoing research collaboration between the Universities of Exeter and Sheffield regarding biomechanical and mechanical optimisation of sports shoe and surface design. The successful PhD candidate will utilise and develop biomechanical and mechanical testing to investigate shoe soles for non-turf based synthetic sports surfaces (e.g. tennis, basketball, netball, indoor and outdoor). New shoe sole designs will be developed as part of the project.
Objectives will include the identification of design characteristics most influential on shoe-surface friction and quantification of the biomechanical response of players to new shoe sole designs, allowing recommendations to be made for shoe-sole design characteristics for particular synthetic surfaces.
Successful applicants will be based within the Exeter Biomechanics Research Team, part of the Bioenergetics and Human Performance Research Group at Exeter (www.sshs/exeter.ac.uk), supervised by Dr Sharon Dixon (University of Exeter) and Dr Matt Carré (University of Sheffield).
You must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in a relevant subject (Sports Biomechanics, Sports Engineering, Sports Science, or similar).
The studentship will cover a stipend at the standard Research Council rate (£13,726 per annum for 2013-2014), research costs and tuition fees at the UK/EU rate for students who meet the eligibility requirements outlined by EPSRC (see http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/studen...igibility.aspx). Students from EU countries who do not meet the residency requirements may still be eligible for a fees-only award. Students from outside of the EU would not be eligible for this award.
The closing date for applications is midnight on 11th November 2013.
For further details contact Dr Sharon Dixon (s.j.dixon@exeter.ac.uk).