PLACEMENT DESCRIPTION

PLACEMENT TITLE: Academy Sport Scientist U13-U14’s PhD Bursary (studying towards PhD)
DEPARTMENT: Medical and Exercise Science
REPORTS TO: Head of Sport Science / Head of High Performance/ Academy Manager- Football
LOCATION: Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground, additional travel may be required
DATE: May 2023

We are Wolves. Progressive, determined, bright, unified and humble. A pack that is hungry for
success. Wolves is one of the fastest growing professional football clubs in the UK, and also boasts
one of the richest histories in the beautiful game.

Formed in 1877, Wolves was a founder member of the Football League, and was one of the country’s
most successful sides in the fifties and sixties. During a two decade spell the Black Country’s most
decorated side won three First Division titles and one of its four FA Cups.

Fast forward to 2022, three seasons at Molineux saw Wolves clinch the Sky Bet Championship trophy
with 99 points, followed by a seventh-place finish in the Premier League, which included memorable
wins over Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal. The next season saw the
team complete a memorable double over the reigning champions, equal the previous season’s
seventh place finish and reach the quarter finals of the Europa League all as part of the ‘longest season’
in league history, either starting before or finishing after all other teams.

But this post is about not what we have done, but what we will achieve next.

We take seriously our commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and to
ensuring that Wolves is free from discrimination and harassment.

_____________________________________________________________

Placement description

To deliver and monitor on-field physical conditioning and gym-based Strength and Conditioning
support services to Foundation & Youth players at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club. This
placement is to support university study towards a recognised qualification in the Sports Science
field working in partnership with the University of Wolverhampton.

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Key Responsibilities

• Deliver ‘Strength and Conditioning’ related sessions to a range of different abilities and age

groups.

• Plan and coach warm up sessions that include a speed, agility or plyometric element to

youth football players.

• Implement systematic physiological (laboratory and field-based) and anthropometric testing

periods for a range of age groups within the academy and analyse the data from these
testing periods.

• Provide match day support that includes warm ups and cool downs.

• Plan and implement player-specific conditioning programs for players at the end stages of

rehabilitation.

• Assist in the formulation and delivery of injury prevention programmes.
  

• Provide regular oral and written reports at appropriate meetings associated with the

Strength and Conditioning support (athlete programme design, athlete attendance and
adherence, test and monitoring reports, programme overview, review and updates).

• Initiate and contribute to special projects that are part of the wider development of the

medical and exercise science department at the football club.

• Oversee and lead Internship development.

• To complete 6-8 weekly multi-disciplinary reviews for each player, providing short, medium

and long term action points.

• Completion of the training register for all players, including session and player evaluation of

training within 24 hours on the online management tool (PMA).

• Monitor training load through GPS; analyse data and report back to coaching staff and

physiotherapists post training.

• Oversee movement preparation sessions to players in the youth phase.

• Conduct research to compliment the work being completed as part of placement and in

support of study towards qualification.

General responsibilities

• Compliance with Club policies

• Compliance with the Club’s health and safety procedures

• Compliance with the Club’s safeguarding policies

• To promote the Club’s values

• To work consistently to embed equality & diversity into the Club

• To maintain professional conduct at all times
  

Safeguarding

• This role carries a specific safeguarding responsibility. This means that the post-holder is

required to apply all relevant policies and uphold the Club’s commitment to safeguarding
vulnerable people.

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Key relationships

• Head of Sports Science, Academy Manager- Football and the Head of High Performance

• Head of Coach Development.

• Members of the Foundation Phase Multi-Disciplinary Team.

• Foundation Phase Recruitment Staff.

• Football Administration Department.

• Academy staff in support of each players development.

• To ensure positive relationships with players, parents and host families.

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Scope of placement

• This placement and the studentship will involve times to suit the football schedule which will

include some evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

Person Specification

Academy Sport Scientist U13’s - U14’s PhD Bursary (studying towards PhD)

Knowledge: the level and breadth of knowledge to do the placement e.g. understanding of a defined
system, method or procedure, legal or regulatory frameworks etc

Essential

• Knowledge of the FA and Premier League rules and regulations with regard to Academies and

Doping control.

• Excellent anatomical knowledge and an ability to apply this specifically when communicating with

coaches and physiotherapists.

• Ability to modify coaching style when delivering practical sessions to different populations.

• Good practical knowledge of nutrition support appropriate to the needs of high-performance

athletes in training and competition.

• The ability to apply complex data and terminology to simple terms appropriate to different age

groups and audiences.

• Knowledge of monitoring performance using various physiological and psychological methods.

Desirable

• Demonstrate an advanced understanding of relevant equipment and technology, including its

operation and maintenance.

• Ability to evidence the applicant can work effectively on the delivery of an agreed strategy of

support.

• A comprehensive understanding of the principles of periodisation in an elite environment.

• A basic understanding of the Governing body (the FA) their doping policy, and basic pathological

requirements and how this relates to nutrition support modification.

General skills and attributes: more general characteristics e.g. flexibility, communication skills, team working
etc

Essential

• A personality that brings a positive impact to our elite environment.

• Ability to work using own initiative.

• Be proactive networking with other Strength and Conditioning coaches and fellow sports science

practitioners sharing information and ideas of how to improve practice.

• Calm under pressure and able to adapt to changing situations.

• Show ability to negotiate effectively through competing and conflicting priorities, agendas and aims

during the various stages of the season.

• Ability to communicate complex data in terms that are easily understood by a wide range of

audiences.

• Excellent presentation and communication skills that can motivate behavioural change to have a

positive impact on performance.

• Be able to contribute to the medical and sports science teams overall strategic goals.

• The ability to establish professional relationships across the various disciplines within the medical

and exercise science department at the football club.

• Operate within the rules of professional confidentiality to liaise with athletes, medical staff, sports

sciences staff, coaches and other support staff as appropriate.

• Personal commitment to continued professional development.
  

• An understanding of clinical and professional issues related to working with athletes under 16 years.

• An understanding of individual responsibility in complying with Health and Safety policies.

• Understanding of how to work safely with children and/or vulnerable adults and uphold generally

accepted practice when working with those participants.

• Promote, adhere to and implement the Club’s Equality Policy and to work consistently to embed

equality and diversity within Club.

Experience: proven record of experience in a particular field, profession or specialism.

Essential

• A minimum of 3 years’ experience of working in an environment supporting athletes in a Strength

and Conditioning Capacity.

• Experience delivering warm-up, cool-down, flexibility, core strength and stability, speed, agility,

quickness training and coaching Olympic weightlifting to a high professional standard.

• Experience of how to modify and develop conditioning programmes according to the results of

specific needs analysis including athlete assessment, musculo-skeletal, dynamic profiling and injury
history, in conjunction with the technical coaches and other support staff.

• A verifiable record of working within an inter-disciplinary team in the delivery of Strength and

Conditioning to high performance sport.

• Evidence of a proven track record in designing multi-facet periodised training programmes specific

to elite football.

Desirable

• Experience of actively engaging with players and technical coaches to create a culture which

enhances attitudes towards Strength and Conditioning practices.

• Experience of analysing the Strength and Conditioning needs of youth football players using a range

of screening tools.

• Experience of conducting laboratory and field testing and relaying information in an appropriate

way for coaches and athletes to understand.

• Working with children and/or vulnerable adults.
  

Qualifications: the level of educational, professional and/or occupational training required

Essential

• An undergraduate degree in sport science specialising in physical preparation of elite athletes.

• Masters Degree in a sports science related field.

• Acceptance on to the PhD Sports Science course at the University of Wolverhampton.

• Post-holder must hold or obtain at the earliest opportunity the relevant safeguarding training (i.e.

FA Safeguarding Children Workshop).

• Post-holder will be subject to a DBS check at the appropriate level and cleared by the Wolves

Safeguarding Manager.

Desirable

• UKSCA or NSCA CSCS Accreditation or ability to obtain with 6 months of being in post.

• A current first aid or basic support qualifications from a recognised organisation.

• BASES accredited physiologist or equivalent including Inter-Disciplinary accreditation.
  

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply for this placement, you must apply for the PhD Studentship course with the University of

Wolverhampton. Please follow the link here to find out more and apply: University of Wolverhampton - PhD

Sports and Exercise

The PhD Sport and Exercise course aims to develop you as a researcher and reflective, evidence-based

practitioner within your specialist area of sport, exercise or coaching science. There is an emphasis on

student-led research and modules focused on the application of research, alongside this you will gain

experience in working within a professional sport environment at Wolves alongside studies.