Post summary
Applications are invited for suitably qualified candidates interested in pursuing a PhD by Research by completing a multidisciplinary research project within the School of Health Sciences at WIT in collaboration with the HealthCore research group at ITC. This project will include aspects of qualitative research design. The candidate will gain experience of exercise rehabilitation design combined with the use of augmented reality in a special population.
Increased physical activity in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been shown to have a moderate to large effect on manipulative skills, skill-related fitness, social functioning, and muscular strength. While physical activity is recognised as an effective intervention, there are numerous barriers that exist. The use of information technology may be useful as a fun, engaging and visual support to promote activity. The aim of this study is to promote physical activity engagement for children with ASD in a school setting by employing an augmented reality (AR) interactive intervention which will be refined and optimised through a co-design approach. Postgraduate Scholarship Information Sheet RSU V2.0- Scholarship Call 3 This PhD student will work as part of the AFUN intervention project team and will focus on developing a person-centred evidence-based intervention to engage children with ASD in physical activity.
This research will
(a) provide in-depth knowledge of the barriers and enablers of physical activity during school time in children with ASD
(b) lead to an informed physical activity intervention based on AR technologies to facilitate improvements in fitness, motor skills, and wellbeing.
Person specification
Qualifications - Essential:
- Applicants should hold or expect to attain, as a minimum a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in a B.Sc. from a relevant degree such as Physiotherapy, Physical Education, Sports Science, Athletic Therapy/Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy, Adapted Physical Activity and Nursing.
- Preference will be given to those with a 1.1 or 2.1 BSc (Honours) Degree in a relevant discipline as outlined above.
Qualifications - Desirable:
- Research Experience in qualitative methodologies.
Knowledge & Experience - Essential
- Knowledge and experience in research reviews.
- Experience of administering exercise programmes to a population.
Knowledge & Experience - Desirable
- Paper writing, submission, and publication experience.
- Experience in working with people with children and/or children with disabilities.
- Awareness and working knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
- Experience of working with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Skills & Competencies - Essential:
- Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see WIT’s English Language Requirements for details.
- Highly motivated, demonstrate initiative and ability to work within multi-disciplinary project team to achieve results.
- Proven academic record of excellence and good writing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Skills & Competencies - Desirable:
- Paper writing, submission, and publication experience.
- Experience in working with people with disabilities.
Further information
For any informal queries, please contact [Email Address Removed] or [Email Address Removed]
For queries relating to the application and admission process please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office via email [Email Address Removed] or telephone +353 (0)51 302883.
Website: www.wit.ie
Application procedure:
To apply please click this link Research Postgraduate Application Form & refer to the paragraph “Funded Research Postgraduate Programmes”. Download the Research Postgraduate Application Form contained within this paragraph and return completed applications to [Email Address Removed], quoting WD (SERD)_2020_67_WSCH in the email subject line.
Please note that paper submissions will not be accepted.
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