Reader in High Performance Physiology

Background and Context

The School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences (SERS) is a thriving academic community within the Faculty of Health Sciences. Our team of around 30 academic staff teach over 400 students, including postgraduates studying MSc by Research, and PhDs. The availability of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, supported by dedicated technical staff provides an outstanding educational experience for students and excellent opportunities to engage in high-quality research and knowledge exchange.

The role holder will take the lead in establishing a new centre for high performance within our School and therefore must have a strong track-record in securing commercial contracts with leading sporting clubs, local authority organisations and companies. The centre’s aim is to serve as a dynamic hub for high-performance physiological and biomechanical testing, training support, and applied research, integrating cutting-edge technology, expert coaching, and academic excellence. Designed to support both elite and emerging talent, and health screening initiatives, the centre will offer tailored services in strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, biomechanics and rehabilitation, nutrition and sport psychology. It will also play a pivotal role in regional development by engaging with local athletes, professional sports organisations, and community partners. Beyond sport, the centre will extend its expertise to emergency services, corporate clients, and local businesses, delivering bespoke programmes in physical and mental resilience, corporate wellness, leadership development, and performance analytics, all aimed at enhancing productivity and wellbeing. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the post

Overview:

The post-holder will have a lead role in establishing a new centre for high performance for our School through high-impact knowledge exchange, research and other scholarship activities, in line with their strengths, passions and aspirations. The role holder will also contribute to the delivery of lectures, seminars and practical laboratory sessions and student tutorials across our programmes. They will have a substantial reputation nationally, and international recognition for their research and knowledge exchange, reflected by a sustained output of high-quality publications and clear impact on their discipline/profession, together with a strong track record of attracting research funds. A minimum requirement to be a Fellow of Advance HE, as represented within the UK Professional Standards Framework. 

Specific duties: 

• Take the lead role in establishing a high-performance centre within the School and set the centre’s vision and values.
• Define the research agenda and lead on high-performance research that is internationally renowned.
• Position the centre as a hub of excellence, attracting athletes and industry partners nationally. Secure lucrative commercial contracts with leading sporting organisations, local authorities and companies. Build partnerships locally and nationally.
• Mentor academic staff. Advise and support undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking dissertation work in their specialist area.
• Teach undergraduate classes addressing the theoretical and practical application of knowledge and methods from the disciplinary area(s) of high-performance physiology and undertake assessment of students.
• Provide academic advice and pastoral care to undergraduate and postgraduate students. To contribute, where appropriate, to teaching on other programmes within the School of Sport, Exercise Science & Rehabilitation Sciences.
• Assist with other student engagement and research enterprise activities, as requested by the Head of Team/Head of School. 

In your covering letter please refer directly to the criteria, given in the person specification below. Applications are assessed by the selection panel according to these criteria. For an informal discussion about this post please contact Professor Natalie Vanicek: n.vanicek@hull.ac.uk 

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