PhD Studentship: Improving Propulsive Efficiency in Swimming and Rowing

PhD Supervisor: Joseph Banks

Supervisory Team: Dr Joseph Banks, Dr Dominic Taunton, Prof Stephen Turnock

Project description

The sports of Swimming and Rowing presents the engineer with a complex multi-physics challenge where marginal performance gains can make the difference between success and failure. The Performance Sports Engineering laboratory has worked closely with the English Institute of Sport (Research & Innovation) and various sports for over a decade, contributing to Olympic successes in London, Rio and Tokyo. The majority of this work has been through focussed PhD programmes examining in detail the physical mechanisms of resistance and propulsion, technique and athlete/equipment interactions.

The cyclic nature of rowing propulsion makes it very difficult to accurately determine how changes in rowing technique and equipment selection affect the overall performance of a rower. This project aims to evaluate the component efficiencies associated with transferring athlete power into boat velocity using controlled lab experiments and on-the-water measurements. This will involve working closely with British Rowing in order to experimentally measure the internal forces between an athlete and their equipment. Controlled experiments will also be conducted in the University of Southampton’s new 138m towing tank to measure the individual components of efficiency. These different components will be used to develop a systems modelling approach to understand overall rowing performance and help quantify changes in rowing technique in the future.

This project will be supported by the UK Sports Institute and British Rowing. There will be the opportunity to work closely with the sports coaches and athletes providing a unique opportunity to improve athletes performance and see the impact of your research. Controlled experiments will also be conducted in the University of Southampton’s new 138m towing tank to measure the individual components of efficiency and assess equipment performance. You will be joining a team of academics, researchers and PhD students working in the Performance Sport Engineering Lab providing excellent opportunities for training and support.

We are looking for a highly motivated individual, who is prepared to work across disciplines and grow their skills. You should have an active interest in sport, be able to work well within a team environment, be excited about answering fundamental research questions alongside delivering research that has a real impact. We are looking for first class candidates with a background in mechanical engineering, ship science, aerospace, physics, mathematics, sport science or biomechanics. You should be confident with data analysis and happy to develop your coding skills and develop experimental methods. There will be opportunities to spend extended periods of time embedded within the sport conducting your research.

Entry Requirements

A very good undergraduate degree (at least a UK 2:1 honours degree, or its international equivalent).

Funding: For UK students, Tuition Fees and a stipend of £18,622 p.a for 3.5 years. For outstanding applicants we can offer an enhanced stipend of £20-£21,000 per annum

How To Apply

Apply online: Search for a Postgraduate Programme of Study (soton.ac.uk). Select programme type (Research), 2024/25, Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering, next page select “PhD Engineering & Environment (Full time)”. In Section 2 of the application form you should insert the name of the supervisor Joseph Banks

Applications should include:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Two reference letters
• Degree Transcripts/Certificates to date

For further information please contact: feps-pgr-apply@soton.ac.uk

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