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- Tasks: Research professional cycling trends and develop race strategy models.
- Company: Join Swansea University, a leading institution in research and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a fully funded PhD with a stipend and additional research expenses.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in professional cycling while shaping future race strategies.
- Qualifications: Must have a 2.1 degree in relevant fields and meet English language requirements.
- Other info: Open to UK students only; funding covers tuition and living costs.
The predicted salary is between 19237 - 22237 £ per year.
The main aim of this project is to develop the evidence on professional cycling racing trends and define the best indicators of how and when races are won. This evidence will be used to inform future race strategy and live race tactics.
There are multiple factors that influence the strategy and tactics in professional cycling racing, and these have changed significantly since Covid. Some of these factors include the course design, environmental factors, the peloton strength, rider type, and power profiles of individual riders. All of these are dynamic and the way they interact to impact on racing trends and race outcome remains relatively unknown.
The specific objectives include:
- Historical analysis of racing from the past 3-5 years across Grand Tours, one day races (monuments and semi-classics) and select World Tour 1 week stage races. The data sources will include video and previous race commentary to 'code' key events in races that help define observable events based on expert knowledge and available evidence.
- Development of a post-race analysis structure, process and data 'toolkit' that can build on historical understanding of race trends to provide immediate post-race feedback to Sport Directors that can be used to assess race strategy and tactics.
- Research, review and develop models based on objectives 1 and 2 to develop a race prediction model for stage racing that can be used to inform live in race decisions based on emerging events.
The successful candidate will also spend time embedded in a professional cycling environment and gain significant experience in hands-on data collection, data analysis, data presentation and interpretation.
UK Students Only - Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA.
Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 (or above) in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Sciences, or Sport Science. For non-UK qualifications please see Country Specific Entry Requirements page.
IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.
It would be desirable for candidates to have experience in some or all of the following:
- Experience in working in professional sports environments
- Data visualization solutions (i.e. Power BI, Tableau, Google Data Studio) for producing reports
- MATLAB/PYTHON/R/C programming
- Application of Machine Learning Algorithms
If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship you are interested in.
This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees, an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £19,237 for 2024/25) and a minimum additional top up of £3,000 per annum. Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.
Contact Detail:
European Commission Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land SPORTS AND EXERCISE SCIENCE: FULLY FUNDED UKRI & INEOS PHD STUDENTSHIP: RACE STRATEGY IN PROFES[...]
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in professional cycling. Understanding how race strategies have evolved, especially post-Covid, will give you an edge in discussions during interviews and networking opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Gain hands-on experience with data analysis tools like MATLAB, Python, or R. Being able to demonstrate your proficiency in these programming languages will be crucial, as they are key to developing the race prediction models mentioned in the job description.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with professionals in the sports science field, particularly those involved in cycling. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to make connections that could lead to valuable insights or recommendations for your application.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your understanding of data visualisation solutions like Power BI or Tableau. Being able to articulate how you would use these tools to present your findings will show your readiness for the role and impress potential supervisors.
We think you need these skills to ace SPORTS AND EXERCISE SCIENCE: FULLY FUNDED UKRI & INEOS PHD STUDENTSHIP: RACE STRATEGY IN PROFES[...]
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Project: Familiarise yourself with the project's objectives and requirements. Make sure you understand the significance of race strategy in professional cycling and how your background aligns with the research goals.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight relevant academic qualifications, particularly in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Sciences, or Sport Science. Include any experience in data analysis, sports environments, and programming languages like MATLAB or Python.
Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Write a compelling personal statement that outlines your motivation for applying, your relevant skills, and how you can contribute to the project. Be specific about your interest in sports science and data analysis.
Check Eligibility Requirements: Ensure you meet all eligibility criteria, including UK tuition fee status and language proficiency. If you're unsure, reach out to the provided email for clarification before submitting your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at European Commission
✨Know Your Research
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in professional cycling and the specific objectives of the PhD project. Be prepared to discuss how your background in Mathematics, Physics, or Sport Science can contribute to the research goals.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Highlight any experience you have in professional sports environments or data analysis. If you've worked with data visualisation tools like Power BI or programming languages such as MATLAB or Python, make sure to mention these skills.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to data collection, analysis, and machine learning algorithms. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain how you would apply them to develop race prediction models.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the project and the team at Swansea University. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the environment is a good fit for you.
