Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Physical Development in Girls Football


Leeds Beckett University
Location 

Leeds

Employment Hours 

New Jobs

Salary 

£39,906 - £44,746 a year

Job Highlights
  • The role involves conducting research and implementing physical performance strategies to enhance the development of talented girls in football across the England Talent Pathway.
  • The ideal candidate should possess experience in sports science, strong communication skills, and a passion for empowering young female athletes.
  • This is a full-time position based in Leeds, offering a competitive salary and an opportunity to work in an inclusive and impactful environment.
Job Requirements/Description
Job reference
REQ0002159
Date posted
14/09/2026
Application closing date: Midnight
05/10/2026
Location
Leeds
Salary
Grade 6 (£39,906 - £44,746)
Package
Please refer to candidate pack
Job category/type
Academic/Research

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Physical Development in Girls Football

Job description

The Carnegie School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to work in partnership with the Football Association (FA) to advance the physical development of talented girls across the England Talent Pathway. The successful candidate will carry out research, knowledge exchange and consultancy in the physical development of girls football. This will involve implementing a physical performance strategy across the FA’s Girls’ Talent Pathway from Emerging Talent Centres to National England U16s.

This is a unique opportunity for an enthusiastic, collegial, and high-achieving individual who is seeking an applied and research role in a vibrant, impactful, and inclusive environment. The main responsibilities of the role include:

  • To implement a physical performance strategy in girls football from Emerging Talent Centres to England Youth Teams.
  • To co-ordinate and support the development and delivery of the physical performance strategy across national, regional and emerging talent centres including education and development workshops.
  • To provide performance support to the girls England U16s squad as a member of the multidisciplinary team and attending and delivering on training camps.
  • To lead research and knowledge exchange activity for supporting the physical development of girls football.

This is an ambitious role with great potential for impact and will suit an individual who is driven by research and applied practice that can make a tangible difference girls football. The successful candidate will work closely with Dr Stacey Emmonds (Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University) and will be supported by a wider research team. The successful applicant will support the design and organisation of work packages and the management and execution of data collection and analysis. They will also prepare high-quality publications, reports, conference papers, and other outputs resulting from the project. In return, the successful candidate will join an internationally leading (as recognised in the recent national REF audit) research team and extend their professional network within and beyond academia.

This post is appropriate for individuals with a PhD and applied experience working with youth athletes, especially girls. Demonstrable experience of conducting research and applying physical development is essential. All candidates should possess strong academic research, communication, and applied skills, and should have demonstrable ability to lead research and knowledge exchange projects independently and as part of a collaborative and collegial team.

The successful candidate will be based at Headingley Campus.



Closing date: Monday 5th October (23.59)

Interviews are expected to take place during week commencing 12th or 19th October (TBC) on Headingley Campus.

To arrange an informal discussion about this post, please contact Dr Stacey Emmonds: s.emmonds@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

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.

Leeds Beckett University
Location 

Leeds

Employment Hours 

New Jobs

Salary 

£39,906 - £44,746 a year

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