Swansea University Fully Funded PhD Studentship
Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD studentship in Exercise & Health Physiology.
Accelerometry is considered the method of choice to characterise the physical activity status of paediatric groups. Studies employing objective accelerometry measurements suggest that as few as 2.1% of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) meet the government physical activity guidelines of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day, with further declines in physical activity during adolescence that persist into adulthood. However, the measurement epoch used in many studies and the application of cut off points developed for healthy children largely limit our interpretation of the available evidence. Furthermore, there is little comprehensive information regarding the underlying reasons and choices for different behaviours. Addressing this question will therefore require an inter-disciplinary approach, allowing us to further understand the measurement of physical activity, as well as, the physiological and psychosocial factors that influence physical activity levels.
The purpose of this project is therefore to investigate national and cultural specific physical activity determinants in young people with CF by using the Strategic Research Centre’s international network. This PhD is funded by the CF Trust Strategic Research Centre and is part of a large network that includes the University of Exeter, Great Ormond Street Hospital and University College London, Sick Kids Toronto and La Trobe University in Melbourne. The student will benefit from international collaborative links between the partner universities and hospitals which provides a highly interactive and exciting network of academics, clinicians, post-doctoral researchers and PhD students with a diverse skills base. Coordinated multi-institution training programmes will allow us to train young career scientists in a truly multidisciplinary environment and develop their track records to be internationally competitive. This PhD therefore offers a unique opportunity to learn the novel skill sets of multiple research centres through potential placements at each centre.
The successful candidate will be supervised by Dr Melitta McNarry and Dr Kelly Mackintosh, and will be based within the state of the art facilities of the Department of Sports and Exercise Science, situated in Swansea University's Bay Campus. The candidate will also benefit from additional supervisory input from the SRC partners.
Eligibility
Candidates should have an MSc degree and an undergraduate degree (2:1 or above) in Sport, Exercise & Health Sciences, Medicine and/or Physiology. Candidates will be considered from both a quantitative and qualitative background.
Candidates will also need to be able to demonstrate:
- Experience of working with human participants, preferably patient groups;
- Experience of multidisciplinary knowledge/problem solving;
- Ability to work with qualitative and quantitative data;
- Experience working with large data sets and data management
This studentship is open to UK, EU and international applicants.
Funding
The studentship covers the full cost of UK/EU tuition fees, plus a tax free stipend of £14,052 p.a. International students will receive £4000 towards the cost of their tuition fees.
How to Apply
To apply, please send your:
- CV
- Covering letter
- University transcripts
- Names of two academic references
to Dr Melitta McNarry (m.mcnarry@swansea.ac.uk)
The deadline for applications is Friday 29th April 2016.
Informal enquiries about this scholarship are welcome and may be directed to Dr McNarry on the email address above or by telephone: +44 (0)1792 513069.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
http://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/exercise-health-physiology-measurement-physical-activity.php