Understanding Energetics and Biomechanics of Running Performance via Wearable Technologies

Wearable technologies are a major growth industry in the UK and worldwide, showing a constant interest towards the development and improvement of sensors and algorithms for application in the sport, exercise and broader health area. Although a variety of products are currently on the market there is a need for a sound scientific approach in their validation and more evidence-base for their application to the different aspects of performance and/or health monitoring.

The PhD will extend and advance the application of wearable technology to support performance enhancement and injury risk reduction in running and team sports, and the research will aim to: (a) generate cutting-edge basic knowledge to be embedded into existing wearable sensing platforms; (b) carry out validation studies to test the robustness and quality of the methods; (c) test the generated algorythms/technology in a target population.

This project offers a unique and exciting opportunity to develop advanced research at the cross-section between biomechanics, exercise physiology, and information technology. Also, there will be potential for the student to be engaged with knowledge transfer and see the work go all the way through to a commercial, mass produced product, which is an exciting feature to be added to the PhD pathway.

Enquiries regarding the project should be addressed to Dr Ezio Preatoni ([Email Address Removed] and +44 (0)1225 383959).
Enquiries regarding the application process should be addressed to [Email Address Removed].

The successful candidate should:
1. Fulfil the entrance requirements for a Department for Health PhD (minimum 2:1 BSc Honours degree, or equivalent, in Biomedical/Mechanical/Electronic Engineering, Sport Science, Kinesiology, or similar subjects; please see http://www.bath.ac.uk/study/pg/programmes/scho-for-heal-mphi).
2. Have a good understanding of and experience with biomechanical issues and quantitative methods for the study of human movement.
3. Have familiarity with movement analysis technologies and testing with human participants
4. Have some understanding of Exercise Physiology issues
5. Have excellent IT and data analysis skills (e.g. Labview/Matlab programming) and an inclination towards innovation in technology testing/development and data processing (e.g. machine learning)

Applicants should apply online for a full time PhD in Health, quoting the project title on application. Please outline your experience, reasons for applying and provide a brief outline of your initial thoughts on the area of research (max 1000 words). Please do not submit a formal research proposal.

Preferred start date: 01 October 2018

Interviews are due to take place on Wednesday 15th August 2018 at the University of Bath.