Kevin Till

<p>This fully funded PhD studentship at Leeds Beckett University, in partnership with Leeds United Football Club, offers a unique opportunity to conduct research on the influence of longitudinal training load, physical qualities, and maturity status on talent development trajectories in elite youth football. The successful candidate will be embedded within the Leeds United Academy, working closely with both academic and professional staff to support and advance sport science practices. The project aims to provide new insights into how training exposure, physical development, and maturity interact to shape the career progression of young footballers.</p> <p>The research will involve quantifying multi-year training exposure using GPS-derived data, assessing biological maturation, and developing predictive models of player development. The student will have access to world-class facilities at both Leeds Beckett University and Leeds United FC, and will be supervised by Dr Stacey Emmonds and Professor Kevin Till, leading experts in the field. The position is full-time for three years, starting February 2026, and includes a tax-free stipend of £20,780 per year, home (UK) tuition fees, and a laptop.</p> <p>Applicants must hold at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree in a relevant field and demonstrate academic excellence, a strong research proposal, and alignment with the project. The opportunity is open to UK candidates only. Application materials include a research proposal (max 2000 words), a statement of purpose (max 1000 words), and a current CV. Candidates are encouraged to discuss their proposal with a supervisor before applying. The deadline for applications is 9 December 2025, with interviews scheduled for January 2026.</p> <p>This studentship is ideal for individuals passionate about sports science, football, and player development, offering the chance to make a real impact on talent identification and progression in elite youth football environments.</p>

Leeds Beckett University’s Carnegie School of Sport is advertising a fully funded PhD studentship in collaboration with Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate/School . The project starts in September 2026 , runs for 3 years , and includes a £20,780 stipend plus UK fees . This opportunity sits within long-term athletic development and invites proposals in one of two related research areas: 1) Developing motor competence in schools using a physical literacy lens — focusing on how schools can design, deliver, and evaluate programmes that improve movement skills, physical literacy, enjoyment, inclusion, and lifelong engagement in physical activity. 2) Supporting the student-athlete within sport schools — exploring dual career development environments, student-athlete support systems, monitoring, wellbeing, academic flexibility, and the interaction between education and high-performance sport. The successful candidate will work in a vibrant research and athletic development environment and will also provide strength and conditioning and sport science support within Queen Ethelburga’s School alongside the PhD project. Eligibility/fit highlights: applicants should be highly motivated and interested in youth sport, school-based sport environments, physical literacy, motor competence, dual career development, and athlete support. The post is advertised as a full-time PhD studentship. Deadline: 17 June 2026. Start date: 01 September 2026. Apply via the Leeds Beckett University studentship page and submit your application before the deadline.