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PhD opportunities: Sport & Exercise Science

Compare 8 doctoral research opportunities connected with Sport & Exercise Science, including project summaries, funding and application deadlines.

Sport & Exercise Science

The Effect of a Slow Breathing Intervention on Psychological Response and Penalty Kick Performance in Professional Football Players During a High-Pressure Protocol (HHS-2026-23)

University of Huddersfield

About the Project The ability to regulate emotions and perform optimally under pressure is critical in elite sport. However, athletes frequently experience performance decrements in high-pressure situations, commonly referred to as “choking under pressure.” Research indicates that approximately 77% of elite athletes report experiencing choking episodes during competition.

Location
Huddersfield, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
30 October 2026
Funding
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Sport & Exercise Science

MRes - Sports Officiating Training & Development (Project ID SAS0232)

Edinburgh Napier University

About the Project The MRes at Edinburgh Napier University represents a unique opportunity for students to conduct a substantial research project in the area of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences. The MRes may be undertaken over one year (full time) or 20 months (part-time).

Location
Edinburgh, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
30 November 2026
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Sport & Exercise Science

Analysis of the effective development of women’s football players (Goalkeepers or outfield players) using LTAD as a framework

University of Worcester

About the Project The women’s game is becoming more prominent and attracting more funding due to previous successes and low risk investment, an increase in revenue of 590% between 2011 and 2019 (Clarkson et al. 2023).

Location
Worcester, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Sport & Exercise Science

Behind the Wheel – Self-Management of Musculoskeletal Pain in Professional Drivers

University of Birmingham

About the Project Professional bus, coach and lorry drivers face high levels of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to long hours of sitting, whole-body vibration and poor ergonomics. Recent studies report that about 62% of truck drivers experience MSDs. Globally, chronic MSDs are the second-leading cause of years lived with disability, and in the UK workplace, MSDs incur an estimated £18.8 billion in costs per year.

Location
Birmingham, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Sport & Exercise Science

Bridging the Gap: Investigating the Professional Landscape of Applied Performance Analysts in Sports Performance Analysis

University of Worcester

About the Project As the discipline of sports performance analysis experiences unprecedented growth and diversification, the role of the applied performance analysts emerges as a key component to aid coaches, athletes and stakeholders’ decision making (Martin et al., 2023). This expansion has led to the emergence of new roles and responsibilities, highlighting the dynamic nature of the discipline (Butterworth, 2023; Francis et al., 2023).

Location
Worcester, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Sport & Exercise Science

Exploration of rehabilitation models addressing coexisting conditions such as T2DM, COPD, and cardiovascular disease.

University of Birmingham

About the Project The growing prevalence of multimorbidity presents a major challenge for contemporary healthcare systems, particularly within the United Kingdom. Individuals increasingly live with coexisting long-term conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD), which collectively contribute to reduced functional capacity, diminished quality of life, and increased healthcare utilisation.

Location
Birmingham, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Sport & Exercise Science

Heat mitigation and management for females

University of Worcester

About the Project Global warming is causing a sustained increase in temperatures each decade, and an increase in the frequency and intensity of heat waves, which collectively is harming human health. Heat illness due to exertional activity or passive heat gain (e.g., during a heat wave) carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality.

Location
Worcester, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Sport & Exercise Science

Value Creation Stories in Coach Developer Social Learning Spaces

University of Worcester

About the Project Research concerning Coach Developers has steadily increased in volume over the last decade (e.g., Stodter and Cushion 2019; North 2010; Kraft, Culver, and Din 2020). A small number of studies have explicitly investigated how Coach Developers learn and have sought to inform the field as to how such practitioners might be best supported (e.g., Campbell, Fallaize, and Schempp 2021; Culver, Werthner, and Trudel 2019).

Location
Worcester, United Kingdom, United Kingdom
Deadline
Year-round applications
Funding
Self-Funded PhD Students Only