The National Institute of Education invites suitable applications for the position of Research Fellow on a 32-month contract at the Physical Education and Sport Science (PESS) Department.

Project Title: Research Centre for Sport, Physical Activity, and Health

Project Introduction: The newly established research centre in PESS aims to be an internationally recognized centre of excellence for research, knowledge exchange and impact in the field of sport, physical activity and health.

Requirements:

Essential

• PhD in Sports Science, Physical Education or Health Sciences, or closely related areas.
• Demonstrated proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies (mixed-methods experience is highly valued).

• A robust portfolio of research achievements, evidenced by high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
• Proven ability to independently conduct comprehensive literature reviews, conceptualize research gaps, and write competitive, successful grant proposals.
• Highly self-motivated with the capacity to drive research projects forward independently and with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in written and verbal English skills, capable of articulating complex scientific concepts to both academic and non-academic stakeholders.
• A strong collaborative ethos with a proven ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.

Preferred

• A demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development, with a proactive interest in mastering advanced or emerging research methodologies.
• Demonstrated commitment to building a long-term career in academic research.

Responsibilities:

Research Design & Execution

• Lead the conceptualization, design, and execution of research projects within sports science, physical education, or health-related domains.
• Apply both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to collect, manage, and rigorously analyze complex datasets.
• Conduct systematic and comprehensive literature reviews to identify research gaps, inform study designs, and support theoretical frameworks.
• Prepare and manage Institutional Review Board (IRB) or ethics committee applications, ensuring all research adheres strictly to ethical guidelines and data protection protocols.

Grant Acquisition & Funding

• Take a lead role in identifying relevant funding opportunities and drafting highly competitive research grant proposals.
• Collaborate with the Principal Investigator (PI) to develop long-term funding strategies to sustain and expand the lab’s research portfolio.

Publication & Dissemination

• Author and co-author high-quality manuscripts for submission to top-tier, peer-reviewed academic journals.
• Represent the research team by presenting findings at national and international academic conferences and symposiums.
• Translate complex research findings into accessible reports or presentations for practitioners, policymakers, or the general public.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide guidance, training, and mentorship to junior research staff, research assistants, and graduate/undergraduate students.
• Independently manage day-to-day research operations, ensuring project milestones and deliverables are met on time.
• Foster and maintain strong collaborative networks with internal departments, external academic institutions, and industry or clinical partners.

Application

Applicants (external and internal) will apply via Workday. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

Closing Date

Closing date for advertisements will be set to 14 calendar days from date of posting.

Hiring Institution: NIE