Edge Hill University (EHU) in collaboration with Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club invites applications for an exciting yearlong MRes opportunity focused on the routine monitoring of neuromuscular fatigue and the association with physical performance within elite Academy football players. The successful candidate will work directly with the sports science and medical departments, providing visually appealing data outputs that seek to support and inform daily training practices. In this position, the successful applicant will be working alongside the coaching and support staff during training and match days to aid the preparation and development of the squads. Alongside this applied work, the data collected as part of this role will inform the candidate’s MRes project, with supervision provided by academic staff at EHU.
About The Research Project
Previous research has considered the objective monitoring of elite football players to consider the effects of neuromuscular fatigue, with implications for physical performance and training periodization. Less consideration has been given across a wider range of academy players, particularly considering the additional implications of growth and maturation. This project will aim to monitor and quantify players’ levels of neuromuscular fatigue prior to training and matches, across various age groups. Following this, players’ physical performance outputs during training and matches will be monitored, with the intention to provide an indication of the extent to which neuromuscular fatigue impacts upon players’ physical capabilities during soccer-specific activities.
The successful applicant will be responsible for:
- Contributing to the sports science support of Academy players across all age groups
- Collation & analysis of GPS data from match-play and training
- Implementation and analysis of jump testing procedures, as an indirect marker of neuromuscular fatigue and readiness to train.
- Produce high quality, visually appealing and informative feedback for players and staff
- Contribute to the development of monitoring practices within the Academy
Details of funding
- Student fees for full-time MRes (equivalent to £6,150)
- Travel expenses and meals provided at the training ground.
Applicant Eligibility
- a degree equivalent to UK first-class or upper second-class honours (2:1 or above) within sports science related programme (e.g. Sports Science, Sports Therapy/Rehabilitation, Sports Coaching, etc.), which included modules specifically focusing on Strength & Conditioning
- highly driven individual with a strong passion for sport and exercise science
- appropriate understanding/experience of the technical and physical aspects of Academy football
- appropriate understanding and experience of using GPS technology
- a competent understanding of research methods, inclusive of relevant statistical procedures for quantitative research
- clean, full UK driver’s License
At Edge Hill University we value the benefits a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.
The successful applicant will be required to start on the 26th September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. This is for a full-time MRes position.
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