Funded MRes with Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club

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About the Opportunity

Edge Hill University (EHU) in collaboration with Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club invites applications for an exciting yearlong MRes opportunity focused on the routine monitoring of neuromuscular fatigue and the association with physical performance, within elite Academy football players. The successful candidate will work directly with the sports science and medical departments, providing visually appealing data outputs that seek to support and inform daily training practices. In this position, the successful applicant will be working alongside the coaching and support staff during training and match days to aid the preparation and development of the squads. Alongside this applied work, the data collected as part of this role will inform the candidate’s MRes project, with supervision provided by academic staff at EHU.

About The Research Project

Previous research has considered the objective monitoring of elite football players to consider the effects of neuromuscular fatigue, with implications for physical performance and training periodization.   Less consideration has been given across a wider range of academy players, particularly considering the additional implications of growth and maturation. This project will aim to monitor and quantify players’ levels of neuromuscular fatigue prior to training and matches, across various age groups. Following this, players’ physical performance outputs during training and matches will be monitored, with the intention to provide an indication of the extent to which neuromuscular fatigue impacts upon players’ physical capabilities during soccer-specific activities. 

The successful applicant will be responsible for:

Contributing to the sports science support of Academy players across all age groupsCollation & analysis of GPS data from match-play and trainingImplementation and analysis of jump testing procedures, as an indirect marker of neuromuscular fatigue and readiness to train.Produce high quality, visually appealing and informative feedback for players and staffContribute to the development of monitoring practices within the Academy

Details of funding

The successful applicant will receive:

Student fees for full-time MRes (equivalent to £5,950)Travel expenses and meals provided at the training ground. 

Applicant Eligibility

This opportunity is open to UK applicants eligible for home fees who meet the following eligibility criteria:

a degree equivalent to UK first-class or upper second-class honours (2:1 or above) within sports science related programme (e.g. Sports Science, Sports Therapy/Rehabilitation, Sports Coaching, etc.), which included modules specifically focusing on Strength & Conditioninghighly driven individual with a strong passion for sport and exercise scienceappropriate understanding/experience of the technical and physical aspects of Academy footballappropriate understanding and experience of using GPS technology a competent understanding of research methods, inclusive of relevant statistical procedures for quantitative researchclean, full UK driver’s License

At Edge Hill University we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.

How to submit your application

In the first instance please complete the online application form via https://qpl.edgehill.ac.uk/apex_qlive/f?p=PV_ONLINE_APP:101::::APP:APP_COURSE_INSTANCE:856605942 

Once you have done this, please send the following items in one email to [email protected] quoting the project title in the subject of the email:

a copy of your research proposal, aligned with the aims of this project, that should not exceed 1,000 words.a downloaded copy of your application form.a cover letter/personal statement outlining your suitability and research interests.a full academic CV (maximum of three A4 pages, using size 12 font) which includes the contact details of two referees.a copy of your qualification certificates and passport

Closing Date: 05 Jan 2026

Department: Academic

Salary: Please see "Details of funding" section for information