MRes topic:

We envisage the research topic will be closely aligned to the services which the successful applicant is delivering in the area of Strength and Conditioning and may be within the topic of Autoregulation Methods in Resistance Training.

Bursary:

Full sponsorship of tuition fees for a full-time postgraduate Home/EU research student (£4,789). Whilst International applicants are welcomed, applicants should be aware that the bursary is only to the amount of UK/EU fees.

Postgraduate loan:

The student will also be eligible to apply for a living-cost loan of up to £4,500 through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).

Applied placement:

Alongside the academic duties, the role entails also providing approximately 6-8hours per week of applied support as directed by Athlete Focused.

Location: Glasgow, UK

Accountable to:

Dr Antonio Dello Iacono, Reader, School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland (Director of Studies)

Dr Andrew White, Director, Athlete Focused

Duration:

The PGR-Practitioner will have 12 months (Commencing on October 1^st, 2024) to collect data and up to 18 months to submit their thesis, but typically PGR students are able to submit within the 15 months.

Application Closing date: 17:00 GMT on Friday 5^th July

Interview Date: Friday 12^th July

Ref No: PGR-Practitioner_2024-25

At Athlete Focused, we are passionate about developing young practitioners while helping our clients succeed. We offer a unique opportunity for you to enhance your skills as an evidence-based practitioner and applied researcher, embedding applied research with two of our current clients.

Athlete Focused and the University of West of Scotland offer two unique opportunities through their award-winning partnership. Each PGR-Practitioner will receive supervision from senior applied practitioners at Athlete Focused and academic research staff from the University's Division of Sport, Exercise and Health. They will work in either a youth rugby academy or female football academy.

The successful candidates will be professional, energetic, and analytical individuals with a passion for developing evidence-based practice guidelines in Strength and Conditioning (S&C). You will hold a degree in a Sport Science discipline and have experience assisting with gym- and pitch-based S&C services. A strong work ethic is essential.

Under the supervision of Athlete Focused’s staff, the PGR-Practitioners will be expected to perform approximately 6-8 hours per week of applied support (e.g. designing, coaching and evaluating S&C programmes) for Athlete Focused’s clients for 15-months.

Whilst the research topic would be decided collaboratively by the successful applicant, Athlete Focused and the academic supervisory team, it is anticipated that the research topic would be closely aligned to their S&C service provision.

The post holder must be willing to work some early mornings, evenings and the occasional weekends.

The studentship will provide the opportunity to:

• Gain first-hand experience in a high performance multi-disciplinary environment
• Gain experience in collecting fitness testing data and formulating reports
• Acquire a valid Emergency First Aid Certificate
• Develop programming and planning skills
• Develop in-depth knowledge of biomechanical measurement
• Enhance analytical, problem-solving and academic writing skills
• Be involved in a range of professional development opportunities across the year, including: attending internal and external workshops and informal visits to other performance environments
• Gain a UKSCA S&C Trainer award, if not already achieved
• Gain an ISAK accreditation, if not already achieved

Educational and/or Professional Qualifications - essential

• Minimum (or predicted) upper second class undergraduate degree in Sport Science or related degree (Application/CV)
• UKSCA membership (Application/CV)
• UKCC Level 1 Award in Coaching Weightlifting / IRB S&C Level 1 / ASCA Accreditation / UKSCA Foundation Course (if currently not UKSCA Accredited) (Application/CV)

Educational and/or Professional Qualifications - desirable

• UKSCA accreditation (Application/CV)
• A current emergency first aid or basic life support qualification from a recognised organisation (Application/CV)

Experience - essential

Experience of assisting the provision of S&C services in a performance sport environment (Application/CV)

Experience - desirable

• Track record of integrating into pre-established multidisciplinary teams (App/CV/ Interview)
• Experience of applying long-term athletic development in programming and planning (App/CV/ Interview)
• Experience of working in a HE sporting environment and an understanding of the BUCS and SSS competition structures (Application/CV)

Job Related Skills and Achievements - essential

• Proficient in data collection, analysis and visualisation of results using appropriate fitness testing equipment and IT software (App/CV/ Interview)
• Analytical and innovative problem-solving skills (App/CV/ Interview)
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time efficiently (Reference)

Job Related Skills and Achievements - desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety Legislation (Application/CV)

Personal Attributes - essential

• An ability to energise, motivate and inspire athletes and colleagues (Reference)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (Interview)
• Hardworking and perseverant (Reference)
• Discrete with confidential information (Reference)

Personal Attributes - desirable

• Ambitious and proactive (Interview)
• Systematic and conscientious (Reference)
• Receptive to feedback (Reference)
• Display a lifelong commitment to professional development (App/CV/ Interview)

Other Relevant Factors - essential

• Willing to work some early mornings, evenings and weekends to meet the needs of athletes studying towards academic qualifications (Interview)

Informal enquiries

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Dr Andrew White (Andy.white@athletefocused.com).

Application process

Applications should be submitted electronically to Antonio Dello Iacono (antonio.delloiacono@uws.ac.uk) and Dr Andrew White (Andy.white@athletefocused.com) stating reference PGR-Practitioner_2024-25 in the subject of your email and should include:

1. Cover letter outlining your interest in the Studentship (maximum one page).

2. Curriculum vitae including the name and contact details for two referees (one must be academic).

Interviews

Formal interviews for this post are provisionally scheduled for Friday 12^th July.

University registration

The MRes fee funding is subject to the candidate’s successful acceptance by the University of West of Scotland registry department.