Fully Funded 3-year PhD Studentship

Sport-related brain trauma is common in child and adolescent sport. Trauma can result in prolonged memory and behavioural problems in younger people (Field et al., 2003). In the long term, there is also emerging evidence of an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease in later life associated with a history of repeated brain trauma. This project will take a predominantly qualitative approach to focusing on the prevention of sport-related brain trauma in educational settings.

The studentship covers the full cost of tuition fees for PhD students, a maintenance stipend for three years (approx. £17,668 per annum) as well as a generous research allowance. The studentship is due to commence in October 2023.

Supervisor: Dr Julian Owen, and Prof Paul Mullins (School of Human and Behavioural Sciences), with colleagues in the School of Medical and Health Sciences, Arden University, the North Wales Brain Injury Service, The Disability Trust and funded by the ALPHAcademy.

Person specification

Essential requirements:

• First or Upper Second-Class undergraduate degree in a relevant subject (e.g., psychology, sport and exercise sciences, medicine or cognate disciplines).
• Committed and self-motivated
• Strong written and oral communication skills

Desirable qualities:

• A Masters degree in a relevant subject
• Experience with qualitative research methods

Research Environment

Bangor University is situated within the breath-taking landscape of North Wales. The School of Human and Behavioural Sciences houses the Department of Sport and Exercise Science. Recently, 100% of our research has been rated as world-leading or internationally excellent by the REF-2021 committee, placing us in the UK top-5 research institutions in sport and exercise science. Our School offers postgraduate researchers an excellent research environment, with a large community of PhD students, research-active faculty and events targeted at broader professional development.

Residency requirements.

This studentship covers in full the tuition fees for British citizens and other nationals who do not require a visa (e.g., Europeans with settled status, Irish) International candidates are very welcome to apply; however, they need to contact Dr Julian Owen to discuss the possibility of tuition fees waivers.

General information.

The initial appointment for the position will be for one year, with an extension of two years after a positive evaluation of progress. The appointment must lead to the completion of a PhD thesis.

How to apply:

All applications must be received on 9^th June 2023 by 00:00 (midnight) UK time through our online application system: https://apps.bangor.ac.uk/applicant/

Applications must contain the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae. This should be no longer than two pages.
• Cover letter.
• Reference letters. Include two letters from academic staff to be submitted in support for this specific application.
• Research proposal: four pages including a concise literature review, description of potential research questions, hypotheses, the approach to collecting and analysing data.
• If English is not your first language or if you have not completed university education in an English-speaking institution, provide proof of English language proficiency such as IELTS (minimum 7.0 overall) or equivalent certification.

General enquiries: For general advice visit the Bangor Doctoral School Website (https://www.bangor.ac.uk/doctoral-school/). Informal enquiries about the studentship should be directed to Dr Julian Owen, email: j.owen@bangor.ac.uk.