ASICS/UEL PhD studentships

Available for September 2012

In collaboration with ASICS, the global professional footwear and sports equipment manufacturer, the University of East London are inviting applications for two fully funded* PhD studentships. Based in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience at the UEL Stratford campus, successful applicants will work within established research groups and become members of an active and dynamic academic community.

Project 1: Impact of sports footwear on biomechanics of the foot and lower limb

Director of Studies: Dr. Stewart Morrison (s.c.morrison@uel.ac.uk)

This PhD research programme will investigate the impact of sports footwear on biomechanical characteristics of the foot and lower limb with specific focus on the structure and function of the foot. Biomechanical evaluation of shod sporting activities can advance understanding of function and performance and inform pathways to injury. Through application of advanced motion capture technology, this work will develop appropriate measurement protocols for the evaluation of shod foot during functional activities and advance understanding of the impact of sports footwear on biomechanical function.

Project 2: Psychosocial factors influencing sport footwear choice of young people

Director of Studies: Dr. Marcia Wilson (m.wilson@uel.ac.uk)

This PhD research programme will address a range of questions relating to young people’s perceptions of ASICS apparel across a range of social groups and sporting activities. Perceptions of sport identity and competence will be explored based on the connection to ASICS. The aim is to identify factors that influence athlete’s choice and preference in the choice of sports footwear.

The Award

The studentship is for a period of three years, subject to satisfactory progress and provides an annual stipend of £15,590 (Research Council recommended rate plus £2000 for London costs), payment of tuition fees at the UK/EU rate and research costs. *Applicants from outside the UK/EU are eligible to apply for the studentship on the understanding that the difference in the cost of tuition fee is payable by the candidate. Current full time UK/EU and International fees are £3,732 and £10,340 respectively.

Requirements

Applicants must have a good honours degree (minimum 2.1 or equivalent) or an MSc in a discipline relevant to the research project and will have experience of working with people in a sports/exercise context. Applicants must also have good communication skills and a high level of written and spoken English. Where English is not the applicant’s first language, a minimum IELTS Academic English score of 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components is required.

The holder of the studentship will be expected to:

Complete their doctoral studies and submit their dissertation in a timely fashion
Prepare papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals
Participate in and contribute to research activities of the School and activities relevant to their sponsors
Undertake up to 6 hours of academic support activity per week.

School of Health and Bioscience

Application Procedure

Informal enquiries about the studentships should be addressed to the Director of Studies listed above. Applicants should contact Ms. Alison Jones (hsb.research@uel.ac.uk or 020 8223 4728) or Dr. Mary Cramp (m.c.cramp@uel.ac.uk) to obtain an application form. Applications will only be accepted on the official form. The closing date for completed applications is 28th May 2012. Interviews will be held in the week of the 25^th June 2012.