PhD Studentship: Supporting Invictus Games Competitors to Thrive UK Competitors Post-Games Experiences, Support Needs, and International Best Practice

The Centre for National Training and Research Excellence in Understanding Behaviour (Centre-UB) in partnership with the King’s Centre for Military Health Research (KCMHR), King’s College London (KCL) is inviting applications for a four-year Doctoral Studentship in association with our collaborative partners - The Invictus Games Foundation, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, and The Royal British Legion to start in October 2026.

This mixed methods PhD will investigate factors that affect Invictus Games (IG) competitors’ ability to thrive and maintain their mental health and wellbeing post-Games. The research aims to identify current best practice support offered to IG competitors and to understand what support UK competitors want in the future. This project provides an exciting opportunity to influence future practice of organisations supporting IG competitors and their families.

The Invictus Games is an international sporting event for those in the Armed Forces (Service personnel) and those who have left military service (ex-Service personnel/veterans) who might be wounded, injured and sick. The Games aim to support competitors’ mental and physical recovery. The next Games are in Birmingham (UK) in July 2027.

Whilst the Games offer significant recovery benefits, research suggests challenges such as pre-Games stress and potential post-event ‘blues’. There is however limited evidence to understand competitors longer-term experiences/support needs, and no evidence that assesses best practice in supporting IG competitors.

The PhD will include: a systematic review assessing evidence from previous major sporting events, collate IG nations best practice, use narrative interviews and longitudinal surveys to investigate UK IG competitors’ experiences during/after the 2027 Invictus Games, and understand competitors support needs. The research will inform future practice/policies of organisations supporting IG competitors and their families. The PhD will be shaped by the student and work closely with partners, including a placement.

The student will be supervised by Dr Marie-Louise Sharp (UoB/KCL), Professor Jet Veldhuijzen van Zanten (UoB), and Dr Rachael Gribble (KCL). The studentship will be based within the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, UoB.

We are looking for a highly talented and dedicated PhD student with a 1st class or 2:1 degree in the field of health/sport/exercise psychology, epidemiology and/or social sciences. An MSc degree in a relevant area is desirable though not necessary. In their application, candidates are encouraged to highlight the experience they may have with mixed methods research, working with participants and stakeholders, as well as their communication, organisation and overall interest in this area.

To be considered for this PhD, please follow the instructions on www.centre-ub.org

Application deadline: 6th May 2026

Interviews for this studentship are expected to take place between 9th-12th June 2026

This application is open to UK home students only. Centre-UB studentships cover tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, support for research training, and research activity support grants. This PhD is funded by the Invictus Games Foundation, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, The Royal British Legion and the University of Birmingham. You can find further details on www.centre-ub.org.

Informal enquiries prior to application can be directed to m.sharp@bham.ac.uk

Funding notes:

This application is open to UK home students only. Centre-UB studentships cover tuition fees, a maintenance stipend, support for research training, and research activity support grants. This PhD is funded by the Invictus Games Foundation, Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, The Royal British Legion, and the University of Birmingham.

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