Research Associate in Sports Biomechanics - (7558)

We are recruiting a Research Associate (RA) in Sports Biomechanics to undertake an applied research project investigating the validity and application of Movetru technology for lower-limb injury screening (funded via Innovate UK).

The successful candidate will be able to commence work in January 2025, placed within Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, working alongside the research team consisting of Dr Thomas Dos'Santos (PI), Dr Phil Graham-Smith (Co-I), Dr Kat Daniels (Co-I), Dr Naomi Datson (Co-I), and Professor Warren Gregson (Co-I).

About the Department

Our Faculty of Science and Engineering offers a world-class teaching environment covering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. With genuine trailblazing specialisms, our research has real-world impact and cultivates lasting relationships with businesses, the government, sports organisations and the general public to share our innovation and expertise. We have invested strongly in our Institute of Sport to establish ourselves as sector leaders for sports education and research. New research and teaching spaces provide a unique range of sports performance facilities, human movement laboratories, extreme environment chamber and clinical imaging for detailed investigations of athletes, patients and the general public. We work with elite sports organisations, local authorities and clinical groups to facilitate research and knowledge exchange initiatives, to understand human movement across the age and health spectrum and to optimise performance for all.

We are committed to attracting and retaining the very best sport and exercise scientists to work with us.

The RA will be responsible for:

• Collaborating with other researchers on the programme grant and external funder.

• Planning and prioritising own day to day work and resources to achieve agreed research objectives, leading the work of small teams of research students as required.
• Undertake quality research and detailed analysis, and present findings to appropriate internal and external groups (i.e. research forums/conferences/seminars) as required.

• Lead participant recruitment and develop methodological protocols.
• Prepare and conduct testing sessions, ensuring adherence to ethical and safety protocols.
• Operating and maintaining research equipment.
• Organising and managing collected data.
• Leading data analysis and interpretation using biomechanical and statistical software.
• Supporting research activities, including contributing to research results and outputs and to the generation of independent and original ideas, ensuring a successful programme of investigation.
• Contributing to the preparation of reports and presentations for dissemination of research findings to key stakeholders.
• Maintaining accurate project documentation and laboratory records.
• Writing reports, undertaking literature reviews and preparing papers for publication, with guidance as necessary.
• Using initiative and judgement to develop appropriate techniques in order to facilitate research work and resolve problems affecting the achievement of objectives and deadlines.

Specialist skills required:

• Strong background and extensive experience with 3D motion data capture and analysis (i.e., Vicon / Qualisys)
• Strong background and extensive knowledge in sports / clinical biomechanics

Essential Qualifications and skill sets required:

• PhD in Sports Science, Biomechanics, Sports Medicine, or a related field.
• MSc degree in Sports Science, Biomechanics, Sports Medicine, or a related field.
• Experience with data collection and analysis in a research setting.
• Proficient with statistical software and coding (e.g., SPSS, R / Python etc).
• Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Please note: Due to the urgent nature of this appointment, we regret to inform you that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role. Meaning candidates must hold, and be able to evidence upon appointment, the right to work in the UK for the duration of the project, which ends in September 2025

Manchester Metropolitan University is a great place to work, and the Sports Sciences department is a vibrant and ambitious department. We provide excellent learning and teaching spaces through innovative programmes delivered from modern facilities in the heart of Manchester.

More information about our university, department and courses can be found on our dedicated web pages https://www.mmu.ac.uk/instituteofsport/

To Apply

If you would like to join our people and share our ambition, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter via our portal by clicking the "Apply Now" button 

For informal enquiries contact Dr Philip Graham-Smith via p.graham-smith@mmu.ac.uk 

Manchester Met University is committed to creating an intentionally inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We understand the importance of having a diverse workforce and the benefits it can bring to ensuring diversity of thought and innovation in everything we do. We, therefore, encourage applications from our local and international communities, in particular people from ethnic minority groups, disabled people and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this, as well as any reasonable adjustments required throughout the application process.