At a Glance
- Tasks: Conduct applied research in sport science with Crystal Palace FC, focusing on training processes.
- Company: Edge Hill University in partnership with Crystal Palace Football Club.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience in elite sports and contribute to impactful research.
- Other info: Work in a collaborative environment with excellent networking opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real difference in sports performance analysis.
- Qualifications: Strong research background in sport science and quantitative analysis skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 € per year.
This is an externally funded position with Crystal Palace Football Club (CPFC), an exciting opportunity to conduct applied research around the monitoring and modelling of the training process in Premier League football players.
This is a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic, collegial, and high‑performing researcher seeking to embed themselves in a high‑performance sporting environment. This role offers a rare opportunity to contribute to a long‑term strategic research partnership between academia and elite sport. You’ll join a growing network of researchers working at the interface of sport performance, health, data science, and innovation, with real‑world impact across Crystal Palace FC's teams and departments.
Your main duties and responsibilities will include:
- Conducting high quality applied sport science research in a professional football club, including project management and coordination, research design and governance.
- Data collection and analysis (primarily quantitative, observational designs).
- Dissemination of findings to academic and practitioner audiences.
- Assisting in embedding research into feedback mechanisms within CPFC and evaluating its impact.
- Publishing research in peer‑reviewed journals.
- Presenting at internal/external meetings, conferences, and stakeholder events – making research accessible to both expert and lay audiences.
This position is part of a significant research investment at CPFC across postgraduate (PhD, MRes) projects spanning sport science, rehabilitation, and computer science domains. These projects engage across CPFC’s senior men’s, senior women’s, and men’s academy teams, and you will play a central role in supporting the development of this collaborative research ecosystem. You will be expected to work from CPFC training ground offices (BR3 1RJ) with some travel to Edge Hill University Campus, Ormskirk.
As Post Doctoral Research Assistant in Applied Sport Science, you will have:
- Strong research background in a related discipline, ideally within a focus in the training process of athletes and processing of associated technologies.
- Experience of conducting impactful applied research with stakeholders in high performance sporting organisations, and demonstrable approaches to translating insight from research into decision making.
- Quantitative research skills and experience, including observational research designs, statistical analysis and analysis of wearable technology or associated data (e.g., GPS, IMU, force plate, video‑derived data).
- Applied knowledge and understanding of the training process of professional athletes across performance and rehabilitation contexts.
- Data management skills and experience including the merging and aggregation of various data sources.
- Proficiency with relevant analysis tools (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB).
- Strong communication and collaborative skills and a friendly, open personality relevant to thriving within interdisciplinary environments.
PhD Research Assistant in Applied Sport Science | Edge Hill Uni in London employer: TheASPA
Edge Hill University, in partnership with Crystal Palace Football Club, offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for the PhD Research Assistant in Applied Sport Science. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and innovation, employees benefit from access to cutting-edge research opportunities, professional development, and the chance to make a tangible impact in elite sports performance. The unique setting at CPFC's training ground fosters a culture of excellence and teamwork, making it an ideal place for passionate researchers to thrive.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land PhD Research Assistant in Applied Sport Science | Edge Hill Uni in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the sports science field! Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meet-ups. You never know who might have a lead on a job or can introduce you to someone at CPFC.
✨Show Off Your Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your quantitative research skills and experience with data analysis tools like R or Python. Tailor your conversation to show how your expertise aligns with their needs.
✨Be Ready to Share Your Research
Prepare to discuss your past research projects and how they’ve made an impact. Being able to present your findings clearly will impress those in high-performance sporting organisations and show that you can translate research into real-world applications.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Edge Hill Uni and CPFC.
We think you need these skills to ace PhD Research Assistant in Applied Sport Science | Edge Hill Uni in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the PhD Research Assistant role. Highlight your relevant experience in applied sport science and any specific projects that align with the job description. We want to see how you fit into our exciting partnership with CPFC!
Showcase Your Research Skills:Since this role involves a lot of research, be sure to emphasise your quantitative research skills and any experience with data analysis tools like R or Python. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so let us know what you've done in the past!
Communicate Clearly:Your application should reflect your strong communication skills. Use clear and concise language, and make sure to explain your research findings in a way that’s accessible to both experts and non-experts. We value collaboration, so show us your friendly side!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your materials properly. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter and contributing to the exciting research at CPFC.
How to prepare for a job interview at TheASPA
✨Know Your Research Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in your previous research and how it relates to the training processes of athletes. Be ready to discuss specific methodologies, findings, and how they can be applied in a high-performance sporting environment like Crystal Palace FC.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Since this role involves quantitative research and data analysis, brush up on your skills with tools like R, Python, or MATLAB. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects where you’ve used these tools to analyse data, especially in sports contexts.
✨Prepare for Practical Scenarios
Think about real-world applications of your research. Be ready to present how you would approach a specific problem related to athlete training or performance analysis. This shows you can translate research into actionable insights for stakeholders.
✨Engage with the Interviewers
Remember, interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the research partnership between Edge Hill University and CPFC. This demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role and your interest in contributing to their collaborative research ecosystem.
