Post Doctoral Research Fellow

Job Description

The Carnegie School of Sport is recruiting a highly motivated individual for a post-doctoral research role at Leeds Beckett University. The successful candidate will work as part of a research team on a project funded by FIFPRO. This is a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic, collegial, and high‑achieving individual who is seeking a post‑doctoral research role in a vibrant, impactful, and inclusive research environment.

This role will support the expansion of our current ACL project with FIFPRO as the project expands into the women’s professional league in America (NWSL).

• Through the (FIFPRO’s Player Workload Monitoring) PWM tool, monitor the workload, recovery, travel, performance, and ACL injury of NWSL players.
• Explore the effect of workload, recovery and/or travels on performance and (ACL) injury of NWSL players.
• Conduct a needs assessment among NWSL clubs (e.g., multidisciplinary team (MDT) performance managers, medical directors) about the necessary conditions for the reduction of ACL injury in professional women’s football in the USA.
• Assess the views of NWSL players, coaching and MDT about the current conditions, available practices and implementation barriers and facilitators related to the reduction of ACL injury in professional women’s football in the USA.
• Translate the scientific evidence and the views of players, coaching and MDT, into strategies (e.g., awareness and educational material, policies, regulations) to facilitate and empower the reach, implementation, and maintenance of measures for the reduction of ACL injury in the NWSL.
• Initiate the delivery and application of tailor‑made practice‑ and evidence‑based strategies towards the reduction of ACL injury in professional women’s football in the USA.

This ambitious project will culminate in real‑world, actionable guidance on the relationship between injury and external factors (workload, recovery, travel) and support the development of practical strategies/framework for best practice in professional women’s football.

The successful applicant will work closely with Dr Stacey Emmonds (Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University) and will be supported by a wider research team. They will support the design and organisation of work packages, manage and execute data collection and analysis, and prepare high‑quality publications, reports, conference papers, and other outputs resulting from the project. The role is appropriate for individuals with a PhD in a sport science or medical related area, ideally with strong data skills and experience of collecting injury data (experience with large data sets and advanced statistical packages is desirable).

All candidates should possess strong academic research, communication, and presentation skills; experience of disseminating research in different forms to varied audiences; and demonstrable ability to lead research independently and as part of a collaborative and collegial team.

The successful candidate will be based at Headingley Campus. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 23rd March on Headingley Campus. The post will commence on 1st May.

To arrange an informal discussion about this post, please contact Dr Stacey Emmonds at

Closing date:
Friday 13th March 2026 (2359)

Working here means you’ll also have access to a wide range of benefits including our generous pension schemes, excellent holiday entitlements, flexible working, reduced study fees, subsidised fitness facilities, and a lot more.

We welcome applications from all individuals and particularly from disabled and/or Black and minoritised ethnic candidates as members of these groups are currently under‑represented at this level of post. All appointments will be based on merit.

Apply online