PhD Studentship: Engineering Sports Pitches for a Climate-Changed World

Project overview

The sports industry accounts for about 1% of global carbon emissions, mainly focused at the highly visible elite level of sport such as mega sporting events and major leagues, providing opportunities for sport to be an important driver and influencer of action on climate change. And yet sport is also vulnerable to climate change, with 120 out of 180 Olympic nations potentially unable to facilitate sport in the future due to projected changes in environmental conditions.

Sports for Climate Action and Nature (SCAN) is a vibrant new research cluster bringing together expertise in sport sociology, physiology, nutrition, management, ecology and engineering. Together with the United Nations Environment Programme and collaborators across the sport sector, Loughborough University is pioneering the work that will ensure sport’s continued existence in a climate-changed world and position the sector to contribute meaningfully to environmental solutions. There has never been a more important time to shape a better environment for current and future generations through the medium of sport.

The successful candidate will utilise a variety of research techniques to build knowledge and understanding related to the impact of climate change on the performance of sports pitches. Working in collaboration with the supervisory team, you will undertake a series of studies in the Sports Technology Institute laboratories, and in the field, investigating the effects of environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, UV on different aspects of pitch performance, e.g. player-surface interaction, player heat stress, pitch durability. This will include developing your analytical skills and practical engineering skills to consider both the short and long-term effects on pitch performance. The findings from this studentship will contribute to, and support, the overarching climate action goals of the research cluster.

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: Steph Forrester
Secondary supervisors: Professor Paul Fleming & Dr Aimee Mears

Entry requirements

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent) in engineering, the physical sciences, or a related subject. A relevant master’s degree and/or experience in one of the above subjects will be an advantage.

It is also desirable that applicants have the following:

A passion and commitment to climate action

A strong interest in sports engineering

Some knowledge of materials science, thermodynamics, and/or environmental science

A desire to increase knowledge related to sports surface engineering

Excellent experimental and analytical skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Fees and funding

The three-year studentship provides a tax-free stipend of £17,668 a year (2022/23 rate) for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the home or international rate.

How to apply

All applications should be made online and must include a personal statement describing your experience and suitability in the topic area and your commitment to climate action and sustainability. Under the programme name, select ‘Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering'. Please quote the advertised reference number ‘FP-SF-2023’ in your application and ensure you submit the minimum supporting documents, including a copy of your CV. Failure to do so will mean that your application cannot be taken forward for consideration.

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