ESRC Wales DTP PhD Opportunities in Sport and Exercise Sciences (Social Sciences) at Bangor, Cardiff Metropolitan and Swansea Universities

Bangor University (School of Human and Behavioural Sciences), Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff School of Sport & Health Sciences), and Swansea University (Department of Sport and Exercise Science, Faculty of Science and Engineering), supported by the ESRC Wales Doctoral Training Partnership, invite applications from exceptional candidates for PhD study with the possibility of being awarded a fully-funded ESRC DTP Studentship in an area of the social sciences of sport and/or exercise to start in October 2022. The three Schools are internationally recognised for the quality of their research and provide outstanding environments for postgraduate research study.

Applications are invited from exceptional candidates with a first class or strong upper second-class honours degree, or appropriate Master’s degree. The Universities value diversity and equality at all levels and encourage applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. In line with our commitment to supporting and promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, and to increase recruitment of currently underrepresented groups, applications from Black British, Asian British, minority ethnicity British and mixed race British candidates are particularly welcomed. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study, and studentships are available as either ‘1+3’ (i.e. one full time year of research training Masters followed by three years of full-time Doctoral study, or the part-time equivalent), or ‘+3’ (i.e. three years of full-time doctoral study or its part-time equivalent), depending on the needs of the applicant.

Closing date: 4th February 2022, 12 noon. Successful candidates will be expected to commence their studies on 1st October 2022.

SUPERVISION AND RESEARCH AREAS

We invite applications to study in areas of the social sciences of sport and/or exercise that are broadly aligned with the research interests of academic staff within the Schools. Please contact prospective supervisors to discuss potential applications well in advance of application. Applications from students who have not contacted and elicited the support of potential supervisors will not be considered . Staff research interests can be viewed here:

Bangor University:https://www.bangor.ac.uk/sport-health-and-exercise-sciences/staff/en

Cardiff Metropolitan University: http://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/schoolofsport/staff/Pages/default.aspx

Swansea University:http://www.swansea.ac.uk/sports-science/staff/

We particularly welcome applications to study in the following areas:

Bangor University

Sport psychology; exercise psychology; psychology of elite performance; motor control and learning; psychophysiology of performance, psychophysiology of health.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Sport philosophy and ethics; sociology of sport and physical culture; critical sociology of sports coaching and physical education; sport and exercise psychology; sport management and policy.

Swansea University

Sport ethics, integrity, philosophy and governance; sport, exercise, and health psychology.

WHAT THE STUDENTSHIP WILL COVER

Studentship Awards commence in October 2022 and will cover your tuition fees as well as a maintenance grant (currently £15,609 p.a. for 2021/212 for full-time students, updated each year); and includes access to an additional Research Training Support Grant (RTSG), though an element of this latter fund may be ‘pooled’ and require separate applications from 2022 onwards.  There are other opportunities and benefits available to studentship holders, including an overseas fieldwork allowance (if applicable), internship opportunities, overseas institutional visits and other small grants.

ELIGIBILITY

ESRC studentships are highly competitive, candidates should have an excellent academic background in the social sciences, holding a 1st or strong upper 2nd class degree; applications from those also holding a relevant research training Masters degree (or an equivalent background in research training) will be considered for a +3 award. Wales DTP studentships are available to both home and international (including EU and EEA) students. All applicants will be eligible for a full award consisting of a maintenance stipend and payment of tuition fees at the UK research organisation rate.  Applicants must satisfy studentship eligibility requirements. For further details see the UKRI web site . Successful international student applicants will receive a fully-funded Wales DTP studentship and will not be charged the fees difference between the UK and international rate.

1+3 OR +3?

With the exception of studentships in the Economics pathway, awards are available on either a 1+3 or +3 basis. A 1+3 studentship provides funding for four years (or part-time equivalent), to complete a research training Masters in the 1st year, followed by 3 years research funding for a PhD. A +3 studentship provides funding for the three years PhD research study only (or part-time equivalent).

ASSESSMENT

The closing deadline for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 4th February 2022. Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview, which are expected to take place in late February/early March 2022. After interview, a final short-list of applicants will be put forward to a Panel convened by the ESRC Wales DTP Management Group at which final decisions with regard to studentship awards will be made. In most cases successful applicants can expect to hear by April/May 2022.

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit your application directly to your chosen University as indicated below.

Applications must be submitted by 12 noon, 4th February 2022. Incomplete applications, applications where there has been no contact with a potential supervisor, or applications received after the specified time will not be accepted. Specify that your application concerns ESRC Wales DTP studentships and include in your application the name(s) of your prospective supervisor(s).

The application must include the following (and be submitted in one document):

• Title, aims and purpose of the research;
• Overview of the academic literature relevant to your field;
• Proposed methodology;
• Academic contributions of your research and potential impact outside of academia.
• References