The role of physical literacy in children’s engagement with and enjoyment of physical activity in schools

Applications are invited for a 3 year, full time studentship aligned to the work of NIHR CLAHRC East Midlands and the College of Health and Social Care, University of Derby. A yearly stipend at current RCUK rates (£14,057) plus Home/EU tuition fees (£4,000) is available. The successful candidate will work into the CLAHRC’s Preventing Chronic Disease (PCD) theme.

CLAHRC East Midlands is an international centre of excellence in applied health research. The CLAHRC seeks to improve patient outcomes by conducting research of local relevance and international quality. The PCD theme seeks to deliver applied research to address major issues in preventive medicine and public health.

This PhD will look at the role of physical literacy in children’s subsequent engagement with and enjoyment of physical activity in schools. It will examine an existing physical literacy programme delivered in schools in Derby city to assess – firstly the broader factors that affect the development of physical literacy skills in primary school children; secondly the longer term sustainability of the programme on physical literacy; and thirdly develop guidance for schools on how to increase physical literacy skills. The supervisors will be Professor Annmarie Ruston & Professor Derek Ward.

Informal enquiries about this studentship should be addressed to: [Email Address Removed]

Successful candidates will be based in the Health and Social Care Research Centre, Derby, but will be expected to visit research sites on a regular basis, and so should be able to travel freely. Funding is conditional on successful Disclosure and Barring Service clearance.

Applying for the Studentship
Candidates should have a 2.1 or higher Honours degree in a relevant discipline or relevant Masters Degree, have good knowledge of healthcare and an interest in healthcare improvement research. The studentship is open to Home/EU candidates only due to funding restrictions, and will be available from September 2015 for three years.

Applicants should visit http://www.derby.ac.uk/research/degrees/apply/ for details of how to apply, and prepare the following documents (submission details can be found on the above website):

1. A Personal Statement (up to 1000 words) indicating how your experience to date prepares you to undertake PhD level research.
2. A research proposal (up to 2000 words) detailing how you propose to carry out the research.
3. An example of academic writing.
4. A current academic CV.
5. Two academic references.
6. If you are a healthcare practitioner, and wish to combine academic study with your practice, you must have organisational support prior to submitting your application – demonstrated in the form of a letter on letter-headed paper which includes any financial contribution that might be offered from your employing organisation in order to meet the difference between your current salary and the stipend amount.
7. Copies of your degree certificates and transcripts (saved as PDFs please).
8. Evidence of English Language proficiency (IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any element, or equivalent) if your first language is not English

Please quote ref: ‘CLAHRC EM Phase 3 Project studentship’ in all correspondence. Closing date: 23.59pm on 7th August 2015. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered.

Interviews will be held in Derby on Tuesday 18th August 2015.