Research Fellow (Physical Education & Sports Science) - 32-Month Contract

About the role

The National Institute of Education (NIE) is inviting applications for a Research Fellow on a 32-month contract within its Physical Education and Sport Science (PESS) Department. The project sits under the newly established Research Centre for Sport, Physical Activity, and Health, which aims to become an internationally recognised centre of excellence for research, knowledge exchange and impact in sport, physical activity and health.

Key responsibilities

• Conceptualise, design and carry out research projects in sports science, physical education or health-related fields, using quantitative and qualitative methods to collect, manage and analyse complex datasets.
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews to identify research gaps and inform study designs.
• Prepare and manage IRB or ethics committee applications, ensuring compliance with ethical guidelines and data protection protocols.
• Identify funding opportunities, draft competitive grant proposals and collaborate with the Principal Investigator on long-term funding strategies.
• Write and co-author manuscripts for top-tier peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international conferences.
• Translate research findings into accessible reports or presentations for practitioners, policymakers and the public.
• Mentor junior researchers, research assistants and students, and manage day-to-day research operations so that milestones and deliverables are met on time.
• Build collaborative networks with internal departments, other academic institutions and industry or clinical partners.

Required profile

• PhD in Sports Science, Physical Education, Health Sciences or a closely related area.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research, including comprehensive literature reviews and successful grant proposals.
• Highly self-motivated, able to drive research projects forward with minimal supervision.
• Strong written and spoken English, able to explain complex scientific concepts to academic and non-academic audiences.
• Collaborative, able to work in multidisciplinary research teams.
• Preferred: commitment to continuous professional development and a long-term career in academic research.

Applicants apply through Workday; only shortlisted candidates will be notified, and the closing date is 14 calendar days after posting.