PhD in Sport and Exercise Sciences (Performance Nutrition focus).
The School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences and University of Birmingham Sport are inviting applications from high caliber individuals to undertake a unique collaborative 4-year PhD in the area of Performance Nutrition. The successful candidate will undertake a PhD program, based within the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences under the academic supervision of Dr Gareth A. Wallis, Senior Lecturer in Exercise Metabolism and Nutrition (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/profiles/sportex/wallis-gareth.aspx). Uniquely, the candidate will also be embedded within the University of Birmingham Sport Performance Centre (https://www.sportandfitness.bham.ac.uk/performance/), in a part-time capacity, taking lead responsibility for the provision of Performance Nutrition support to the University sport scholarship programmes and designated university priority teams. Thus, the PhD provides the perfect opportunity to develop academic strengths in generating translational knowledge and following this through to practical application in Performance Nutrition settings.
From an academic perspective we are looking for someone with a strong interest in science, enthusiasm for research, who is genuinely committed to undertaking research at the doctoral level. The area of PhD investigation will align to the interests and expertise of Dr Wallis in energy and nutrient metabolism, but will be influenced by the successful candidates background, the insights they gain in their practitioner role, and where further investigation can add the most scientific and practical value. It is expected that the research will be lab and field-based, and may combine observational, interventional and case-study approaches.
From a practitioner perspective we are seeking a committed, athlete-focused performance nutritionist who is not only a team player with excellent applied experience, but will also apply our working fundamentals of promoting performance behaviours, ensuring the basics are consistently mastered, and having a “coach-led, athlete-centred” approach. From a nutritional perspective your focus will be on ensuring our athletes are healthy, ready to train, able to recover and primed for performance.
The ideal candidate will have:
• Honours degree in sports science (or equivalent) specialising in exercise physiology/sports nutrition (min 2.1)
• Qualification at higher degree level (IOC diploma in sports nutrition or PG Cert/Dip/Masters in Sports Nutrition)
• Experience of conducting research in exercise physiology, metabolism or sports nutrition
• ISAK level 1
• SENr graduate/practitioner registration
• Experience of providing sport science (nutritional) support to performance athletes and coaches including elite level
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to analyse a range of sports in relation to their nutritional needs. Including use of nutritional software systems
• The ability to work on own initiative as well as within a team
• Good problem solving and organisational skills
• A self-motivated approach with the ability to prioritise work load and balance conflicting demands.
• Good IT Skills (word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint)
The successful candidate will have their PhD registration fees paid for the entire study period, be provided with an annual tax-free stipend in line with Research Council (UK) rates (i.e., ~£15k per annum) and benefit from access to an appropriate research support budget. THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST BE A UK CITIZEN.