The development of physical employment tests for elite soccer match officials

This is a full-time, funded PhD opportunity in the Faculty of Science and Engineering. It is open to both home and overseas students. Please note that only home fees will be covered – eligible overseas students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding.

This opportunity provides an annual stipend of the research council minimum rate (set by UKRI) of £19,237 for 2024/25.

PROJECT CONTACT

Dr Adam Field ([email protected])

PROJECT ADVERT

Elite soccer officiating is a profession with substantial physical demand. Fitness testing is therefore incorporated into the match selection criteria by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), which is the governing body responsible for the training, development, and mentoring of elite soccer match officials in England.

Here, only match officials attaining the minimum standard are eligible for appointments. Fitness tests therefore represent physical employment tests, so protocols need to reflect the critical physical tasks of elite soccer officiating.

While the physical demands of soccer officiating are influenced by many factors, match activities represent the critical and generic tasks of officiating. Once reliable and valid physical employment tests have been developed following a critical job task analysis, robust and defensible minimum standards should be determined.

This fully funded PhD provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate study within Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport, which is equipped with state-of-the-art sport science testing facilities. The preferred candidate will also work closely with the PGMOL to develop and implement valid physical employment tests with robust minimum standards for the selection of elite soccer match officials.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The primary aim of this project is to develop physical employment test(s) for soccer match officials. The project will lead to the integration of the physical employment test(s) within the PGMOL as a practical tool to ensure robust minimum standards for the selection of elite soccer match officials.

The project will do so through:

• The completion of a job task analysis of elite soccer officiating to determine the frequency, importance, and physical demand of the tasks involved
• The design and development of physical employment test(s), including evaluations of reliability and validity
• The development of performance standards and cut scores to support with selection and progression
• The promotion and implementation of the physical employment tests within the PGMOL

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF THE PROJECT

Essential

• A first or upper second-class BSc honours degree in sport and exercise science or another related discipline
• An ability to critique and analyse scientific evidence, methodology and data
• An ability to interpret and communicate complex data in terms that are easily understood by a variety of audiences
• An ability to maintain records and the organisation of data files using Microsoft Excel
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Desirable

• An MSc in sport and exercise science or another related discipline
• Other accreditations commensurate to the role (such as BASES accreditation)
• Industry experience within the sport and exercise sciences working in an applied manner
• Proficiency in using statistical and/or analytical software packages (such as SPSS, R, Tableau or Power BI)

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants should contact Dr Adam Field for an informal discussion.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sport and Exercise Science (or download the PGR application form).

You should also complete the PGR thesis proposal and Narrative CVaddressing the project’s aims and objectives, demonstrating how the skills you have maps to the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest. 

If applying online, you will need to upload your statement in the supporting documents section or email the application form and statement to [email protected].

Closing date 15 July 2024.

Expected start date October 2024.

Please quote the reference: SciEng-AF-2024-PGMOL-physical-employment-tests