UCL’s Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, in partnership with the youth charity Greenhouse Sports and in collaboration with the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, is pleased to announce a fully funded PhD studentship to evaluate the impact of sport participation on mental wellbeing, academic attitudes and social mobility in disadvantaged youth, throughout primary and secondary school. We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with background in quantitative social or life sciences such as psychology, epidemiology, cognitive neuroscience, sport and exercise or medicine.
Departmental Context
This PhD is placed within the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health (ISEH) under the Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, and is a cross-faculty collaboration with the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (ICN) under the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences.
The ISEH forms part of the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine, a major legacy project of the 2012 London Olympic Games. The ISEH is one of only 12 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Centres worldwide and is one of world's leading institutes for sports and exercise medicine. More Information on the ISEH https://www.iseh.co.uk/
The Division of Surgery and Interventional Science is a collaborative and cross-disciplinary environment of clinicians, engineers, allied health professionals and researchers. Our cutting-edge research ensures that the latest techniques are taught using the most advanced equipment. Further information here https://www.ucl.ac.uk/surgery/
The ICN was Europe’s first institute of its kind and is one of the world’s top research centres for studying the relationship between mind and brain. The ICN is part of UCL’s Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, ranked second in the world for psychology.
Background and Studentship Description
This studentship will be supervised by Prof Paul W Burgess (Faculty of Brain Sciences), Prof Mark Hamer and Assoc Prof Flaminia Ronca (Faculty of Medical Sciences).
Through our partner Greenhouse Sports, we have collected 7 years’ worth of data on children from deprived backgrounds in the UK, with comprehensive information looking at the impact of sport on academic attitudes, mental health and social deprivation. After conducting an initial analysis of this extraordinary data set, the candidate will help design, implement and evaluate intervention strategies to further improve social and academic impact though sport. There is also an opportunity to look at cognitive development through brain fNIRS in this cohort.
Key study aspects are summarised below. The published output will be used to inform future social projects and decision making around the impact of sport and exercise on social mobility in young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Proposed aims and methods of the PhD
The overarching research aim of this project is to evaluate the relationship between sport and exercise participation and mental health, academic attitudes, physical health and social mobility, especially in disadvantaged youth. Some issues that may be addressed through the studentship research include (1) what drives sport participation and dropout rates in young boys and girls, within inner city areas; (2) the role of sport in facilitating a positive transition from primary to secondary school, and then from secondary school to further education and employment; (3) the role of regular sport and exercise participation in improving, physical health, behavioural mental health and academic attitudes.
Coding and programming skills, or the aptitude to develop them, will be a distinct advantage as will advanced skills handling spreadsheets and data handling and manipulation. Experience with delivery of psychometric or demographic testing, or databases, is also useful. Experience working directly with children is a very strong advantage, and a demonstrable background in sport and exercise is essential. Experience working in social care or medical care situations might also be an advantage. The candidate should have excellent social skills and be able to communicate with both children and adults very effectively.
Person Specification
Essential knowledge, skills and experience
· A 1st or 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in a quantitative social science (including, but not limited to: Sport and Exercise Sciences, Economics, Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Public Health, Epidemiology).
· Good analytical skills, with the ability to process and collate complex information and manage data in a structured manner and with a high level of accuracy.
· Excellent oral and written skills with both children and adults, with the ability to present findings to peers and write up data for publication
· Exposure to programming in e.g. MATLAB, Python (or similar), as well as statistical analysis and data handling using common packages such as SPSS, STATA (or similar).
· Quantitative research experience.
· Experience working with children and/or young adults.
Desirable knowledge, skills and experience
· A Master's degree (or equivalent) in a quantitative social science.
· An understanding of issues relating to socio-economic deprivation and its impact on mental health and academic attitudes.
· Interest or experience in the field of sport and exercise.
· Outstanding socials skills, able to understand and relate to others well.
· Experience working in public-facing roles, especially with challenging clients or in challenging situations.
Candidates will need to be resident in the UK and attend UCL in person for supervision.
Application Procedure
Applications are made via UCL’s Vacancy page here. The following information should be included with your application:
· A complete CV, including full details of all university course grades, academic achievements any previous research experience and work experience.
· Transcripts of degree results.
· Contact details and email addresses for two academic or professional referees (at least one academic).
· A short summary (<500 words) detailing how your skills, research interests and academic background match the project.
If you have any enquiries about this vacancy please e-mail Dr Flaminia Ronca [Email Address Removed]
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