Sleep, arousal and performance: the management of cognitive and physiological arousal in sport.

The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences at Loughborough University is offering a fully funded PhD studentship attached to its Clinical Sleep Research Unit. The successful candidate will develop a project combining sleep science and sports performance with a strong focus on the impact and management of cognitive and physiological arousal. This studentship offers the opportunity to work in a world-class research environment with leading experts in the fields of sleep and cognitive science, and to collaborate with elite athletes and coaching teams. The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences has been ranked 1st in the world for Sport-related Subjects in the QS World University Rankings in both 2017 and 2018. The School offers a vibrant postgraduate culture, well resourced facilities, and high-quality supervision.

Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Graduate School, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.
Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/

Project Details
High levels of cognitive arousal mediate performance on those tasks which require sustained vigilance, but demand only episodic responses (e.g. in sport. goalkeeping in football and hockey and most roles in cricket). However, both the propensity to maintain hyper-vigilance, and the traits that support this activity, have also been identified as key elements contributing to insomnia disorder. Two hypotheses arise from this. First, elite sport generally, and some roles within elite sports, may select for behavioural phenotypes that carry vulnerability to insomnia symptoms. And second, that processes of selection or training in elite sport may assist individuals in overcoming the ‘insomnia-genic’ traits. Using epidemiological and experimental approaches, this programme will broadly explore and develop these hypotheses with the aim of making significant scientific contributions to sleep medicine, and informing the recruitment, retention and sleep-health management of talent in elite sport.

Find out more
For more details, or an informal chat about the position, please email Dr Iuliana Hartescu ([Email Address Removed]).

Entry requirements
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Psychology or a related subject. A relevant Master’s degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be an advantage: Psychology-related field, Cognitive science, experience and/or knowledge of EEG/PSG, eye-tracking methodology.

Contact details
Name: Dr Iuliana Hartescu
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: 01509 222760

How to apply
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/. Under programme name, select School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences.

Please quote reference number: SSEHS/IH/18