S&C Postgraduate Master by Research (MRes) Practitioner (1)

Triathlonscotland; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity to undertake a Masters by Research in Strength and Conditioning at a leading sports-focused organization in Glasgow. The successful candidate will engage in collaborative research while providing vital support to athletes, enhancing both practical skills and academic knowledge in a high-performance environment.

Benefits

Full bursary coverage for tuition fees

Eligibility for living-cost loan up to £6,900

Professional development opportunities including workshops

Qualifications

• Degree in Sport Science or related discipline required.
• Experience in applying Strength and Conditioning in a sports environment is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide applied support for approximately 6-8 hours per week.
• Design, coach, and evaluate Strength and Conditioning programmes.

Skills

Analytical problem-solving skills

Proficient in data collection and analysis

Ability to prioritise tasks

Excellent communication skills

Education

Upper second-class undergraduate degree in Sport Science

UKCC Level 1 Award in Coaching Weightlifting / IRB S&C Level 1 / ASCA Accreditation

Emergency first aid or basic life support qualification

Job description

S&C Postgraduate Master by Research (MRes) Practitioner

Organisation: Athlete Focused and the University of Glasgow

MRes topic: We envisage the research topic will be closely aligned to the services to be delivered in Strength and Conditioning for a professional team sport and the successful candidate will be part of a collaborative process to define the research parameters.

Bursary: Full sponsorship of tuition fees for a full-time postgraduate Home/EU research student. Whilst International applicants are welcomed, applicants should be aware that the bursary is only to the amount of UK/EU fees and applicant would be required to pay the difference.

Postgraduate loan: The student will also be eligible to apply for a living-cost loan of up to £6,900 through the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS).

Applied placement: Alongside the academic duties, the role entails also providing approximately 6-8hours per week of applied support as directed by Athlete Focused.

Location: Glasgow, UK

Accountable to: Julia Donnelly

Duration: The PGR-Practitioner will have 12 months to collect data and up to 18 months to submit their thesis, but typically PGR students are able to submit within the 15 months.

Application Closing date: 5pm - 30th June 2025

Interview Date: w/c 7th July 2025

Ref No: UofG_MRes_2025-26

Job Description

At Athlete Focused, we are passionate about developing young practitioners while helping our range of sporting clients succeed. We are recruiting a Masters by Research student in partnership with the University of Glasgow, offering a PGR-Practitioner an excellent opportunity for you to enhance your skills as an evidence-based practitioner and applied researcher, by embedding applied research with one of our current clients.

The PGR-Practitioner will receive supervision from senior applied practitioners at Athlete Focused and academic research staff from the University's School of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Health.

PGR-Practitioners will receive supervision from senior applied practitioners at Athlete Focused and academic research staff from the University's Division of Sport, Exercise and Health.

The successful candidate will be professional, energetic, and analytical individual with a passion for developing evidence-based practice guidelines in Strength and Conditioning (S&C). You will hold a degree in a Sport Science discipline and have experience assisting with gym and pitch-based S&C services. A strong work ethic is essential.

Brief outline of the role

Under the supervision of Athlete Focused's staff, the PGR-Practitioner will be expected to perform approximately 6-8 hours per week of applied support (e.g. designing, coaching and evaluating S&C programmes) for Athlete Focused's clients for 15-months.

Whilst the research topic would be decided collaboratively by the successful applicant, Athlete Focused and the academic supervisory team, it is anticipated that the research topic would be closely aligned to their S&C service provision.

The post holder must be willing to work some early mornings, evenings and the occasional weekend.

Main learning opportunities

The studentship will provide the opportunity to:

• Gain first-hand experience in a high performance multi-disciplinary environment
• Gain experience in collecting fitness testing data and formulating reports
• Develop programming and planning skills
• Develop in-depth knowledge of biomechanical measurement
• Enhance analytical, problem-solving and academic writing skills
• Be involved in a range of professional development opportunities across the year, including: attending internal and external workshops and informal visits to other performance environments
• Acquire a valid Emergency First Aid Certificate, if not already achieved
• Gain a UKSCA S&C Trainer award, if not already achieved
• Gain an ISAK accreditation, if not already achieved

Person specification

Educational and/or Professional Qualifications

• Minimum (or predicted) upper second-class undergraduate degree in Sport Science or related degree - Essential
• UKCC Level 1 Award in Coaching Weightlifting / IRB S&C Level 1 / ASCA Accreditation / UKSCA Foundation Course (if currently not UKSCA Accredited) - Desirable
• A current emergency first aid or basic life support qualification from a recognised organisation - Desirable

Experience

• Experience of assisting the provision of S&C services in a performance sport environment - Essential
• Track record of integrating into pre-established multidisciplinary teams - Desirable
• Experience of applying long-term athletic development in programming and planning - Desirable
• Experience of working in a HE sporting environment and an understanding of the BUCS and SSS competition structures - Desirable

Job Related Skills and Achievements

• Proficient in data collection, analysis and visualisation of results using appropriate fitness testing equipment and IT software - Essential
• Analytical and innovative problem-solving skills - Essential
• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time efficiently - Essential
• Knowledge and understanding of Health and Safety Legislation - Desirable

Personal Attributes

• An ability to energise, motivate and inspire athletes and colleagues - Essential
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills - Essential
• Hardworking and perseverant - Essential
• Discrete with confidential information - Essential
• Ambitious and proactive - Desirable
• Systematic and conscientious - Desirable
• Receptive to feedback - Desirable
• Display a lifelong commitment to professional development - Desirable

Other Relevant Factors

• Willing to work some early mornings, evenings and weekends to meet the needs of athletes studying towards academic qualifications - Essential

Application information

Informal enquiries

Informal enquiries about the post can be directed to Athlete Focused Head of Performance Julia Donnelly ([e-mail]).

1. Cover letter outlining your interest in the Studentship (maximum one page).

2. CV including the name and contact details for two referees (one must be academic).

Interviews

Formal interviews for this post are provisionally scheduled for the w/c 7th July 2025.

University registration

The MRes fee funding is subject to the candidate's successful acceptance by the registry department.

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