Benchmarking and Strategic Profiling Optimising performance and return-to-play
Benchmarking and Strategic Profiling Optimising performance and return-to-play
School of Health Sciences
Lead Researcher: Doctor Dean Norris
About the project
The School of Health Sciences (Sport & Exercise Science) is offering a research scholarship to a highly motivated and curious PhD candidate to undertake an industry-based project jointly funded by Athletes Authority and Western Sydney University.
This project will leverage a rich and unique sample of athletes not often replicated in strength and conditioning settings to explore critical aspects of performance and optimal return to play strategies. By employing both retrospective and prospective analysis on a range of kinematic and physiological testing markers, this research project aims to better understand how the neuromechanical system adapts throughout the performance timeline. Additionally, this project will analyse how specific training methodologies impact adaptations within these systems within both rehabilitation and performance optimization settings.
The successful candidate will be embedded as a member of the High-Performance Department (HPD) within Athletes Authority. The project provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development and application of evidence-based practice in applied settings dealing with real athletes, with a view to informing industry practice and future research directions. The project will be based at both the Athletes Authority (North Sydney) and within the Sport & Exercise Science program of Western Sydney University (Campbelltown Campus). However, further domestic travel may be necessary for fieldwork on occasion
What does the scholarship provide?
- Domestic candidates will receive a tax-free stipend of $41,900(AUD) per annum for up to 3 years to support living costs, supported by the Research Training Program (RTP) Fee Offset.
- Support for conference attendance, fieldwork and additional costs as approved by School/Institute.
- An opportunity to gain both practical experience and do integrated research within one of the leading private training facilities in Australia.
Eligibility criteria
The successful applicant should:
- Hold qualifications and experience equal to one of the following (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, (ii) coursework Masters with at least 25% research component, (iii) Research Masters degree, or (iv) equivalent overseas qualifications
- Have a current Working with Children Check for NSW completed by the time of starting the PhD.
- Demonstrate strong academic performance in subjects related to Strength and Conditioning, Exercise Prescription, and Sport and Exercise Science.
- Understand the value of working collaboratively in a client-facing, team-based environment.
- Be willing to learn, deliver, and analyse data from testing methodologies, including but not limited to kinematic and physiological capacity testing.
- Be and enthusiastic and highly motivated to pursue advanced-level study both independently and collaboratively.
- While not a prerequisite, experience in coaching within applied settings will be an advantageous attribute of the potential candidate as will level 1 or 2 ASCA accreditati
How to apply
- Review the project’s eligibility criteria. You will need to provide in your application a document which explains how you satisfy the projects eligibility criteria.
- Contact the lead researcher listed to discuss your eligibility, the project’s requirements and your intention to apply. You should email them to introduce yourself, describe your qualifications and experience, and express your interest in their research project. If they are interested, you may want to arrange a phone call, video call or meeting to discuss your application. You will need to request a letter of support from the lead researcher to support your application for the scholarship.
- Submit an online application for the project by logging into the Online Portal and selecting 'Project Scholarship'. Note: You do not need to submit an application for Doctor of Philosophy or Research Scholarship.
Incomplete applications or applications that do not conform to the above requirements will not be considered.
For questions and advice about the research project, please contact the Lead Researcher;
Dr Dean Norris; Dean.Norris@westernsydney.edu.au
For questions and advice about the scholarship application process, please submit your scholarship enquiry:
- Currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here
- Not currently enrolled WSU HDR candidate, please submit your enquiry here
You may also find answers to your questions by visiting our Higher Degree Research (HDR) Knowledge Directory.
Applications close 31 August 2025
*Applications close at 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT).