Faculty: Science and Engineering
Supervisors: Dr Ash Willmott ([email protected]); Dr Jack Wells ([email protected]); Dr Chris Howe (external)
Location: Cambridge
Match-funded by: Cambridge United Football Club
Apply online by 8 February 2026We strongly recommend contacting the supervisors for this project for a discussion prior to applying.
We are pleased to announce an exceptional opportunity for an ambitious, high-achieving individual to pursue a fully funded PhD within a professional football setting. ARU’s Sport and Exercise Science team, in partnership with Cambridge United Football Club and its academy, is offering a full-time PhD studentship for a highly motivated and talented candidate.
This exciting project will focus on the academy environment to undertake a series of experimental studies and build a framework for investigating the factors that contribute to injury and injury risk among academy footballers. The overall aim of this project is to design targeted strategies and education that reduce both the likelihood and recurrence of injuries, supporting player development and long-term career sustainability.
Worryingly there is a high rate of injury within academy football, which is contributed by many factors, such as rapid growth spurts, high training and match loads, insufficient recovery and flexibility, and a lack of injury awareness/education. As such, there is a need to ensure academy programmes are evidence-based and research-informed, whilst also optimising player development and enhancing physical training.
This project will support decision making and aim to further understand the contributing factors to injury and utilise education, monitoring practices and innovative technology, and even artificial intelligence (AI) predictive modelling, from an inter-disciplinary perspective to implement effective strategies that may reduce the risk of initial and reoccurring injury.
The project will therefore contribute to the physical development of the academy players, working closely with the Head of Academy and Performance, to help optimise player performance, readiness, availability and education. The candidate will assist in the delivery of both gym and pitch-based strength, conditioning, and rehabilitation sessions, as well as player monitoring and screening, providing relevant feedback to key stakeholders.
The successful candidate will be fully embedded within Cambridge United Football Club’s Academy, collaborating closely with ARU’s Sport and Exercise Science team, current PhD students and an extensive network of experienced professionals and researchers. This unique environment offers an exceptional opportunity to undertake applied research that directly informs and advances the future of talent development and injury prevention in academy football.
This prestigious studentship is ideally suited to individuals with a passion for sport science and football research, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact within elite sporting contexts. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, enabling effective collaboration with academy staff, coaches, and players. The role requires the ability to translate research into practice, applying scientific methods to real-world football environments and contributing to evidence-based strategies that enhance player welfare and performance.
Applicants should possess a strong academic background in sport and exercise science, supported by relevant undergraduate (e.g., Sports Science or Strength and Conditioning) or Master’s qualifications. Prior experience in elite/academy football, player development, applied sport science research, and/or working within academy structures, will be considered highly advantageous.
Applicants should demonstrate they have experience in: working in elite sporting environments with young athletes, ideally within a football academy setting; and possess knowledge of long-term athletic development (LTAD), football periodisation, growth and maturation.
Enrolment and/or completion of the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) supervised experience pathway or UKSCA accreditation, UEFA Coaching Badges or, experience with player load monitoring technology/devices (e.g. GPS), and scientific writing or presenting at conferences, would also be desirable. Further, current first aid qualifications (e.g., Emergency First Aid in Football [EFAiF]) as well as recent and in-date certificates (e.g., enhanced DBS, FA Safeguarding Children) are desirable.
Cambridge United Football Club will co-lead this project, and thus be part of the short-listing and interview process.
Apply online by 8 February 2026The successful applicant for this project will receive a Vice Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship which covers the tuition fees and provides a UKRI equivalent minimum annual stipend for 3.5 years. For 2025/6 this was £20,780 per year. The award is subject to the successful candidate meeting the scholarship terms and conditions. Please note that the University asserts the right to claim any intellectual property generated by research it funds.