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STEM, Maths, Physics, Computer Science: Principles and methods to support data-informed decisions in Olympic and Paralympic sport (RS941)

  • DeadlineDeadline: 27 April 2026
  • WalesWales

Description

Closing date: 27 April 2026

Funding Providers: EPSRC and UKSI

Subject Area:  STEM, Maths, Physics, Computer Science, Sport Science

Project Start Dates: July 2026 **(Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates).

Supervisors:

  • Dr Rowan Brown
  • Professor Liam Kilduff
  • Professor Neil Bezodis
  • Professor Laura Mason
  • Dr Mark Waldron
  • Dave Thomas (UKSI)
  • Sarah Domone (UKSI)

Aligned programme of study: PhD in Sport and Exercise Science

Mode of study: Full time and Part time

Place of study: Swansea University (Bay Campus)

Project description:

A large volume of data are routinely captured in high-performance training and competition environments. Whilst these data have the potential to inform key performance decisions, the full potential performance impact is often not realised. In some instances, this is because the volume of usable data is relatively small – compared with other ‘big data’ domains – due to factors such as data quality and/or completeness. In other instances, where sufficient data do exist, the models used in attempts to glean performance insight may be overly simple and violate mathematical or statistical assumptions or be overly complex and fail to fully reflect applied sporting principles or be interpretable and usable for practitioners and coaches.

This project aims to address genuine performance questions in Olympic and Paralympic sports by firstly mapping their performance‑critical decisions and identifying the information, evidence and conditions required to make those decisions well. Secondly, the project will implement bespoke methods – including advanced data modelling approaches (e.g., machine learning, digital twin models) and AI techniques where appropriate – to provide novel solutions that enable sports to make performance decisions that are better informed by data and to make performance‑critical decisions with greater confidence and clarity. This is an applied data science collaboration between Swansea University’s Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences (Sports Analytics specialist area) and the UK Sports Institute, and it will combine expertise from both partners in sports science, mathematics and statistics, and computer science. We welcome applications from candidates with a passion for high-performance sport, education and experience in any/all of the above, and a willingness to extend their skills in, and collaborate with experts from, other disciplines.

For more details please see here: https://www.swansea.ac.uk/postgraduate/scholarships/research/sports-science-epsrc-uksi-phd-olympic-paralympic-rs941.php

Entry Requirements

Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA.

Note for international and European applicants: details of how your qualification compares to the published academic entry requirements can be found on our Country Specific Entry Requirements page.

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email [email protected] with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.

PhD: Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Sports Science or similar relevant science discipline.

English Language

IELTS 6.5 Overall (5.5+ each comp.) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.

Funding

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £20,780 for 2025/26).

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

How To Apply

To apply, please complete the entire application form here.

To be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS941

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)

  • In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input:
  • the RS Code, RS941
  • the scholarship title
  • Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank
  • Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank
  • In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload? *’(Mandatory) Please select Yes
  • Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf)

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.  

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

  • CV
  • Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
  • cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
  • One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
  • Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
  • Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
  • Confirmation of EDI form submission

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact:

NAME: Dr Rowan Brown

EMAIL: [email protected]

NAME: Professor Liam Kilduff

EMAIL: [email protected]

NAME: Professor Neil Bezodis

EMAIL: [email protected]

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable. 

** In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.

Who is eligible to apply?

Scholarship open to UK fee eligible applicants only.

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