PhD Study : High performance athletes: assessing the developing role of microbiological knowledge and the gut microbiome in elite sport

Apply and key information  

Summary

Athlete welfare has received increasing attention in recent years. As well as an improved cognisance of prevention of injury, player welfare now extends to education in relation to other health and lifestyle issues, including strategies to maintain immunocompetence and to avoid illness. One such approach includes the use of prophylactic probiotic supplements to improve gut health by stabilising the gastrointestinal microbiota under the stress of intense exercise. However, the level of understanding of the action of probiotics among the user group is currently unknown. While probiotics deliver beneficial microbes, it is well accepted that reservoirs of infection can exist in athletic facilities. Some data exists in relation to the diversity of bacteria present on surfaces in a gym environment in the US (Mukherjee et al., 2014) and the presence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus infections in a football team (Nguyen et al., 2005); however at present, there is a paucity of research relating to the diversity and quantities of bacteria present in sporting environments used by professional athletes.

Preliminary results from our research group have found the presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus, and coliforms (including E.coli) on personal sports equipment used by elite athletes. An appreciation of the impact of hygiene practices in elite sport requires buy in from the user community and this requires knowledge of the potential risks in order to affect the type of behaviour change that will promote athlete welfare. The primary aim of this project is to examine the diversity of microbes in high performance environments with a focus on selected bacterial agents with the potential to cause opportunistic infection. The secondary aim is to examine knowledge perception and awareness of gut microbiota and use of probiotic supplements in elite sport.

The researcher will be involved in developing an microbiology focussed educational framework based on behaviour change theory for dissemination to end users and athlete support staff involved in implementing hygiene protocols to increase athlete availability for training and selection for competition. The education intervention will aim to educate athletes with regards to the potential role of the human microbiota in athlete health and performance. This will be developed to promote compliance with the increasingly prevalent use of probiotics and other microbiome-focussed nutritional supplements in elite sport.

This project will employ an interdisciplinary team approach utilising microbiology, sports nutrition and psychology expertise to generate high quality publications and research impact. Laboratory methods will be used to assess the presence/absence of a range of microbes in elite performance environments in a range of sports. The body of work will include the development and delivery of a pilot educational framework for athletes and key stakeholders in sport based on a needs analysis undertaken via a qualitative study. It is anticipated that this project will provide an opportunity to generate practice implications and protocols to embed within sporting body guidelines and athlete support services as a measure of research impact.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Masters at 65%
  • Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
  • Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Work experience relevant to the proposed project
  • Publications - peer-reviewed
  • Experience of presentation of research findings
  • Use of personal initiative as evidenced by record of work above that normally expected at career stage.

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 7 February 2020
12:00AM

Interview Date
March 2020

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2020

Applying

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Contact supervisor

Dr Andrea McNeilly

Other supervisors