PhD position: Identifying quality indicators and determinants of effective collaboration between municipalities and sports clubs (VIPROSCeSS) Université de Lorraine in France

This PhD position at Université de Lorraine offers an exciting opportunity to investigate the quality indicators and determinants of effective collaboration between municipalities and sports clubs in France, with the aim of promoting public health and well-being. The project, VIPROSCeSS, is funded by the interdisciplinary LIFE TRAVEL program, Lorraine University Excellence Initiative, and Erasmus+ APPACT project, and will be conducted within the INSPIIRE laboratory, renowned for its research in public health interventions and complex measurement tools.

The thesis will address the critical role of sports clubs in preventing chronic diseases, promoting well-being, and supporting healthy ageing. Despite their importance, sports clubs are often undervalued as strategic partners by local authorities, and mutual engagement remains limited. The research will identify quality indicators for collaboration, explore their determinants, and develop recommendations and evaluation methods to optimize local networks and intersectoral partnerships for community health.

The methodology includes three interconnected studies: (1) a mixed-methods survey of elected representatives in 8,000 municipalities to assess perceptions, funding, policy documents, and collaboration barriers; (2) a mixed-methods study of sports clubs in selected cities to analyze relationships with local authorities and determinants of collaboration; and (3) an iterative participatory approach to co-construct quality indicators with stakeholders, including local authorities, sports leaders, administrative staff, and researchers. The project is part of the PROSCeSS initiative, a partnership involving Santé publique France, Université Côte d’Azur, Université de Lorraine, the Ministry of Sport, and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, aiming to equip sports clubs and municipalities with tools for health promotion.

The PhD student will be based at the UMR1319 INSPIIRE laboratory on the Brabois-Santé campus in Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, working full-time for three years starting November 2026. Responsibilities include data collection, joint development of quality indicators, protocol development, scientific writing in French and English, and dissemination of research at forums and symposia. The INSPIIRE unit focuses on prevention program evaluation, metrology of perceived health, and complex health measures, with applications in mental health, antibiotic resistance, vaccination, and chronic disease services.

Applicants must hold a Master’s degree with distinction in public health, sports science, or relevant humanities and social sciences applied to sport. Essential skills include qualitative research and participatory approaches; quantitative skills in multivariate and multilevel analysis are advantageous. Candidates should be comfortable with interdisciplinary and collaborative work, possess a reflective attitude, curiosity for research, and an interest in sport. Proficiency in scientific English and French is required.

Supervision will be provided by Professor Aurélie Van Hoye, an expert in sports club development for health promotion, with extensive publication and funding experience. The application process requires submission of a motivation letter, CV, and a letter of recommendation by email to [email protected] by 15 June 2026. The position is fully funded, and the student will have opportunities for travel within France and abroad for research dissemination.

For further information, visit the INSPIIRE laboratory website or contact the supervisor directly. Apply via the provided portal or by email, ensuring all documents are submitted in English or French.