Investigation of the strategic performance management processes of talent development environments

The development of sporting talent is big business, with many interested stakeholders. As a consequence, there is a growing research base attempting to understand effective organisational functioning at the elite level. Past research in performance management has focussed on small groups and teams within a high performance environment, including leadership capabilities and sports organisational culture. Importantly, however, research to date has not yet integrated sub elite level environments into the investigation of effective organisational functioning in high performance sport. As such, there is still a lack of understanding of the strategic performance management side of the talent development process, and where and how this fits within effective sports organisational functioning. There is a need to understand how different environments interact, impact upon one another and function in supporting the feeder development pathway environments into elite level. This research project will aim to investigate, both informal and formal strategic performance management processes within talent development environments across multi sport case studies.

Academic qualifications
A first degree (at least a 2.1) ideally in a sport/organisational psychology or sport coaching related discipline with a good fundamental knowledge of athletic development in sport.

English language requirement
IELTS score must be at least 6.5 (with not less than 6.0 in each of the four components). Other, equivalent qualifications will be accepted. Full details of the University’s policy are available online.

Essential attributes:
• Experience of fundamental athletic development in sport
• Competent in a variety of research methods
• Knowledge of current research in talent development in sport
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Strong motivation, with evidence of independent research skills relevant to the project
• Good time management

Desireable attributes:
Connections with sporting organisations

Please quote project code SAS0081 in your enquiry and application.

APPLICATION CHECKLIST
• Completed application form
• CV
• 2 academic references, using the Postgraduate Educational Reference Form (Found on the application process page)
• A personal research statement (This should include (a) a brief description of your relevant experience and skills, (b) an indication of
what you would uniquely bring to the project and (c) a statement of how this project fits with your future direction.)
• Evidence of proficiency in English (if appropriate)