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Two four-year PhD Studentships
Biomechanical determinants of elite swimming performance
Manchester Metropolitan University in collaboration with British Swimming
Project Summary
These PhD projects will focus on elite swimmers at British Swimming’s National Centres for Swimming. They will provide coaches with an increased understanding of the technical factors influencing elite swimming performance and how to influence these through coaching. This aim will be achieved through a structured series of studies, focusing primarily on the biomechanical aspects of swimming performance.
Specific Requirements of the Project
Applicants are expected to have at least a 2:1 degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Sport Science or a related discipline. A Master of Science degree is also highly desirable. The applicant should have experience and knowledge of high level sport and, ideally, a background in the biomechanics of human performance. The applicants will be expected to have excellent experimental skills and the ability to communicate their work effectively.
A desire to work in elite sport is essential as the successful applicants will become integral members of the team supporting the elite coaches and their swimmers. They must therefore be able to demonstrate:
British Swimming has a formal collaborative partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. One key element of this collaboration is the undertaking of scientific research and knowledge exchange work with Great Britain's able-bodied and Paralympic Swimmers.
This project will involve conducting applied research studies on Britain’s elite (able-bodied) swimmers. Data collection will primarily be conducted at British Swimming’s National Centres for Swimming at Loughborough University and the University of Bath. One successful candidate will therefore be based at Loughborough, the other at Bath.
Aim
The overall aim of the project will be to provide GB coaches and their swimmers with an increased understanding of the technical factors influencing elite swimming performance and how these are influenced by coaching. This aim will be achieved through a structured series of PhD studies. The studies will focusing primarily on the biomechanical (technical) aspects of performance (starting, turning and swimming) but will employ an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on other scientific disciplines such as physiology and psychology, where appropriate.
Objectives
To achieve the project aim, the students will:
Student Eligibility
These studentships are open to home and EU students only
Stipend
£14,296 pa
Closing Date for applications
31st March 2017
Informal enquiries can be made to:
Dr Carl Payton: c.payton@mmu.ac.uk +44 (0) 161 247 5451
How to apply
Please quote the reference: Ches-CJP-2017-1-2. Applications should be completed using the Postgraduate Research Degree Application Form. Application Form should be emailed to: pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk
Biomechanical determinants of elite swimming performance
Manchester Metropolitan University in collaboration with British Swimming
Project Summary
These PhD projects will focus on elite swimmers at British Swimming’s National Centres for Swimming. They will provide coaches with an increased understanding of the technical factors influencing elite swimming performance and how to influence these through coaching. This aim will be achieved through a structured series of studies, focusing primarily on the biomechanical aspects of swimming performance.
Specific Requirements of the Project
Applicants are expected to have at least a 2:1 degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Sport Science or a related discipline. A Master of Science degree is also highly desirable. The applicant should have experience and knowledge of high level sport and, ideally, a background in the biomechanics of human performance. The applicants will be expected to have excellent experimental skills and the ability to communicate their work effectively.
A desire to work in elite sport is essential as the successful applicants will become integral members of the team supporting the elite coaches and their swimmers. They must therefore be able to demonstrate:
- openness to learning from others and a commitment to sporting success in high performance sport;
- the ability to build understanding and trust of coaches, athletes, peers and other support staff;
- diplomacy, sensitivity and tact in working with coaches, athletes, peers and other support staff;
- approachability, empathy and the ability to listen actively and accurately;
- the desire to seek and review feedback on performance and contribution and use this feedback to aid CPD.
British Swimming has a formal collaborative partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University. One key element of this collaboration is the undertaking of scientific research and knowledge exchange work with Great Britain's able-bodied and Paralympic Swimmers.
This project will involve conducting applied research studies on Britain’s elite (able-bodied) swimmers. Data collection will primarily be conducted at British Swimming’s National Centres for Swimming at Loughborough University and the University of Bath. One successful candidate will therefore be based at Loughborough, the other at Bath.
Aim
The overall aim of the project will be to provide GB coaches and their swimmers with an increased understanding of the technical factors influencing elite swimming performance and how these are influenced by coaching. This aim will be achieved through a structured series of PhD studies. The studies will focusing primarily on the biomechanical (technical) aspects of performance (starting, turning and swimming) but will employ an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on other scientific disciplines such as physiology and psychology, where appropriate.
Objectives
To achieve the project aim, the students will:
- produce a thorough review of current research literature on biomechanical determinants of elite swimming performance;
- complete a comprehensive needs analysis with the National coaches and other relevant World Class programme staff to identify the specific performance-related questions;
- plan and undertake a series of applied research studies that will contribute substantially to the extant body of knowledge (identified though achievement of objective 1) and;
- provide coaches with technical data and new knowledge that addresses the coaches’ performance-related questions and improves understanding of how technical skills are best coached/modified (identified through achievement of objective 2)
Student Eligibility
These studentships are open to home and EU students only
Stipend
£14,296 pa
Closing Date for applications
31st March 2017
Informal enquiries can be made to:
Dr Carl Payton: c.payton@mmu.ac.uk +44 (0) 161 247 5451
How to apply
Please quote the reference: Ches-CJP-2017-1-2. Applications should be completed using the Postgraduate Research Degree Application Form. Application Form should be emailed to: pgradmissions@mmu.ac.uk