Implementing Strength and Conditioning Support in Youth Swimming

Introduction

This is an exciting opportunity to study a PhD as part of a collaboration between Coventry University, and the City of Coventry Swimming Club. We are recruiting two PhD students, each focused on aspects of strength and conditioning support within youth Swimming.

The programme is for a duration of 3.5 years (funding only for 3.5 years, maximum allowed time 4 years) and scheduled to commence May 2025.

Project details

We are a transdisciplinary collaboration focused on youth movement behaviour and links to holistic development. Our work links explicitly into Health, Educational, Cognitive and Sports and Exercise related outcomes and spans disciplines including Sport and Exercise Science, Strength and Conditioning, Education and Sports Psychology.

These two PhD projects intertwine and are both focused on talent development and support in youth swimming. The PhDs will explore one of the following areas, depending on skill set, experience and interest of the applicants

1. Development and evaluation of Strength and Conditioning Support services in youth swimming.
2. Holistic Support to talent development in youth swimming, with a focus on sports psychology, and/or lifestyle management.

Funding

Tuition fees and bursary

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive research training including technical, personal and professional skills. All researchers at Coventry University (from PhD to Professor) are part of the Doctoral and Researcher College, which provides support with high-quality training and career development activities.

Entry requirements

• A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average.

PLUS

• The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within 3.5 years.
• A minimum of English language proficiency (IELTS academic overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).

Additional requirements

Both these PhDs involve working with children and young people. As such an enhanced DBS check will be mandatory. Prior experience working with children and young people will be an advantage within the role. The applicant is required to submit a supporting statement as part of their application. Within the supporting statement, candidates should articulate why they believe they are suited for this position.

How to apply

To find out more about the project, please contact Professor Michael Duncan.

All applications require full supporting documentation, a covering letter, plus a 2000-word supporting statement showing how the applicant’s expertise and interests are relevant to the project.