Fully-funded ESRC DTP Studentship

Bangor University (School of Sport, Health & Exercise Sciences), Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff School of Sport), and Swansea University (College of Engineering: Sport and Exercise Science), supported by the ESRC Wales Doctoral Training Partnership, invite applications from exceptional candidates for PhD study with the possibility of being awarded a fully-funded ESRC DTP Studentship in the area of the social science of sport and/or exercise. 

The three Schools are internationally recognised for the quality of their research and provide outstanding environments for postgraduate research study. The Universities value diversity and equality at all levels and encourage applications from all sectors of the community. We welcome applications for both full and part-time study, with studentships available as either 1+3 (one year full time research training Masters + three years full-time Doctoral study, or part-time equivalent) or +3 (three years full-time Doctoral study, or part-time equivalent), based at one of the Universities, with the opportunity where appropriate for co-supervision across institutions. 

Closing date: 1 February 2017, 12.00 noon. Successful candidates will be expected to commence their studies on 1 October 2017.

Supervision and Research Areas

We invite applications to study in areas of the social science of sport and/or exercise that are broadly aligned with the research interests of academic staff within the Schools. Please contact prospective supervisors to discuss potential applications well in advance of application. Staff research interests can be viewed here: 

Bangor University: https://www.bangor.ac.uk/sport/staff.php.en

Cardiff Metropolitan University: http://www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/schoolofsport/staff/Pages/default.aspx

Swansea University: http://www.swansea.ac.uk/sports-science/staff/

We particularly welcome applications to study in the following areas:

Bangor University 

Sport psychology; exercise psychology; psychology of elite performance; motor control and learning; psychophysiology of performance.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Sport philosophy and ethics; sociology of sport and physical culture; critical sociology of sports coaching; sport and exercise psychology.

Swansea University

Sport ethics, integrity, and governance; sport, exercise, and health psychology.

What the Studentship will cover

Full studentships cover the cost of UK/EU tuition fees, plus a tax-free maintenance grant (£14,296 per annum for 2016/2017 for full-time students, updated each year); an additional £750 per annum is normally available for research expenses. 

Academic Eligibility

ESRC studentships are highly competitive; candidates should have an excellent academic background in the social sciences, holding at least a 1st or strong upper 2nd class relevant degree.  To be eligible for a +3 only award, candidates must hold a relevant research training Master’s degree (or an equivalent background in research training). Full awards (fees plus maintenance stipend) are open to UK Nationals and EU students who can satisfy UK residency requirements.

Residential Eligibility

To be eligible for a full award (stipend and fees), you must:

  • Have settled status in the UK, meaning there are no restrictions on how long you can stay.
  • Have been ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK for three years prior to the start of the studentship. This means you must have been normally residing in the UK (apart from temporary or occasional absences).
  • Not have been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education. This does not apply to UK and EU nationals.

To be eligible for a fees-only award, you must be ordinarily resident in an EU member state, in the same way that UK students must be ordinarily resident in the UK.

Further information: http://www.esrc.ac.uk/skills-and-careers/studentships/prospective-students/am-i-eligible-for-an-esrc-studentship/

Employment

Full-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold a full-time job, or a permanent part-time job, during the period of their award. Part-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold a full-time job.

Assessment

The closing deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Wednesday 1 February 2017. Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview, which are expected to take place in March 2017. After interview, a final short-list of applicants will be submitted to the ESRC Wales DTP Doctoral Panel who will make the final decision with regard to the awarding of funded studentships. Successful applicants can expect to hear by mid-April 2017.

How to Apply

Please submit your application directly to your chosen University, via email to one of the addresses below. Applications must be submitted by 12.00 noon, 1st February 2017. Incomplete applications or applications received after the specified time will not be accepted. Specify that your application concerns ESRC Wales DTP studentships and include in your application the name(s) of your prospective supervisor(s).

Please apply via these links: 

Bangor University: d.a.markland@bangor.ac.uk
Cardiff Metropolitan University: spowell@cardiffmet.ac.uk 
Swansea University: c.j.knight@swansea.ac.uk

The application must include the following:

  • Covering letter. Please address to the ESRC Wales DTP Institutional Contact for the University you are applying to (see below). The covering letter must set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at the University and in the Sport and Exercise Sciences (Social Sciences); your understanding and expectations of doctoral study; and your academic interests generally, particularly those relating to your proposed research. The covering letter should be no more than two pages. Please also specify whether you wish to apply on a 1+3 or +3 basis. If you are applying on a +3 only basis, please indicate how you meet the criterion of holding a relevant research training Master’s degree or have an equivalent background in research training.
  • Academic/professional qualifications. This should include proof of English Language competency (7.0 IELTS minimum).
  • References. All applications require two academic references. Candidates must approach referees themselves and request references that they will submit with their application.
  • Curriculum Vitae. No longer than two pages.
  • Research Proposal. The proposal should be up to a maximum of 1000 words, not including references. We suggest that you use the following five headings in your research proposal:
  • Title, aims and purpose of the research;
  • Overview of the academic literature relevant to your field;
  • Proposed methodology;
  • Academic contributions of your research.
  • References

ESRC Wales DTP Institutional Contacts: 
Bangor University: Dr David Markland (d.a.markland@bangor.ac.uk)
Cardiff Metropolitan University: Dr Lynne Evans (levans@cardiffmet.ac.uk)
Swansea University: Dr Camilla Knight (c.j.knight@swansea.ac.uk)

Publication date: 29 November 2016