Prospective study to assess the value of a ACL risk reduction intervention on ACL injury attrition rates in elite female adolescent football

The studentship is with University of Salford and Manchester City Women’s Football Club

This industrial(i) PhD studentship has been developed between The University of Salford and Manchester City Women’s Football Club. The iPhD will comprise a primary prospective study tracking the impact of an intervention programme on female academy football players for three years. Several secondary studies will also be undertaken concurrently to look at: developing a multilevel “movement competency” development (injury mitigation) training programme; benchmarking movement and physical qualities through the women’s academy age groups; identifying if movement and physical quality parameters can be related to risk of acquiring a non-traumatic lower limb injury (principally ACL).

Academic Supervisor: Dr Lee Herrington

Academic Co-Supervisor: Dr Chris Bramah & Ros Cooke

Industrial Supervisors: Harry Reddick & Dr Neval Grazette 

About the role

Alongside the research undertaken for a PhD, the successful candidate will be expected to work part-time within the women’s academy medical team to gain experience working within a professional academy football environment. The tasks undertaken by the student will include:

• Support the Academy Medical department to ensure Performance staff and players are provided with an excellent service.
• Have responsibility for the management of immediate emergency medical and trauma care situations in the training and competition environment.
• Providing musculoskeletal assessment, injury management and rehabilitation for players, aligned with performance and clinical requirements.
• Attend staff and departmental team meetings where appropriate.
• Work closely with support staff to ensure all Sport Science & Medicine aspects of player reviews are completed to the relevant standard.
• Attend and deliver (where appropriate and based on experience and knowledge) CPD sessions as and when required by senior club staff.

Candidates Qualification and Eligibility

Candidates should have an undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy and are HCPC registered. Candidates should have excellent interpersonal skills (oral and written), work well within a team, and possess the ability to work independently. In addition, candidates must be willing to work unsociable hours (nights and weekends). We are looking for candidates with inquisitive minds and the ability to further explore solutions to the performance questions raised throughout the project. It is desirable that the candidates possess the following:

• A MSc in sports injury management or sport science related field.
• Experience working in an elite or professional sport environment.
• Experience working with female athletes.
• A relevant pitch side trauma qualification (ITMIF, PHICIS Level 2 or above)

How to Apply

1. Covering letter: Please address to Lucy Hawken ([Email Address Removed]). The covering letter must set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at the University of Salford while working full time in an applied practitioner role; your understanding, and expectations of doctoral study; and your academic interests generally, and particularly how these relate to the description of the project supplied. The covering letter should be no more than one page.
2. Curriculum Vitae: This should be no longer than two pages.
3. Relevant academic / professional qualifications.
4. References: All applications require two academic references to be submitted in support of candidates’ suitability for the iPHD. Candidates must approach referees themselves and include the references with their application.

Funding Eligibility:

This studentship is only available to students with settled status in the UK, as classified by EPSRC eligibility. Please visit: https://www.epsrc.ac.uk/skills/students/help/eligibility/

Enquiries: Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Lee Herrington by email: [Email Address Removed]

Final date for applications: October 8^th, 2023

Interviews will be held on: October 17^th, 2023

The candidate must be in a position to register for studies by January 2024