PhD Scholarship, Sheffield Hallam University: Exploring the role of physical activity in NHS paediatric pain management services

About the Project

Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship at the School of Sport and Physical Activity, commencing 01 October 2026.

This fully funded scholarship covers Home PhD fees and provides a stipend at the Living Wage Foundation rate (£22,152 for 2025/26). The stipend increases annually according to the Living Wage rate.

As part of the scholarship, students will complete PhD study and support research activities in the school, for a maximum of 180 hours per academic year and not more than 6 hours in any one week. This activity forms part of the scholarship award and there is no additional payment for it.

Sheffield Hallam University delivers worldleading applied health and wellbeing research. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 88% of our research was judged worldleading or internationally excellent: https://www.shu.ac.uk/sport-physical-activity-research-centre.

You will join a thriving community of ~65 doctoral researchers supported through a comprehensive doctoral training programme and will be colocated within the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC) - a worldleading hub for health innovation: https://www.shu.ac.uk/advanced-wellbeing-research-centre.

Project Title: Exploring the role of physical activity in NHS paediatric pain management services

Globally it is estimated that 20.8% of children and adolescents experience chronic pain, with wide-ranging impacts including school attendance, participation in sport and social activities, and increased medication use. While chronic pain can present a barrier to participating in physical activity, there is evidence that it may reduce pain intensity and improve disability. It is unclear what role physical activity plays in supporting children and young people (CY&P) to manage pain, including if and how healthcare professionals are promoting physical activity to CY&P and their families. Alongside this, it is also unknown how receptive CY&P would be to physical activity support and how they would integrate this into their lives.

This funded PhD offers the opportunity to drive impactful change for both C&YP and healthcare professionals. You will work closely with the pain management team at Sheffield Children’s Hospital to understand the care they currently provide, as well as investigating family’s experiences. This project is building upon work already being undertaken by researchers in the School for Sport and Physical Activity and Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University.

Aim

Explore the role of physical activity in supporting children and young people in pain management care.

Objectives

• Understand if and how healthcare professionals promote physical activity to C&YP.
• Explore C&YP’s and their family member’s barriers and enablers to physical activity, including their receptiveness to healthcare professionals’ advice on physical activity.
• To develop feasible and pragmatic intervention recommendations that could be implemented to support physical activity for C&YP receiving pain management care.

What we’re looking for in your proposal

We welcome proposals involving a mixed-methods design and creative methods to help engage participants in the research.

Strong proposals might include ideas such as:

• Mapping current care that is provided by the pain management team through stakeholder workshops or reviewing delivery materials
• Capturing family’s experiences of barriers and enablers to engagement (e.g. interviews/focus groups/photovoice, surveys on current experiences)
• Co-producing strategies or programmes to support families to promote physical activity

Within the programme of research there will be opportunities to learn and develop your research skills. We would welcome someone with knowledge of behavioural science and how frameworks can be applied to achieving the research aim.

You are encouraged to contact Martin Lamb (M.Lamb@shu.ac.uk) for informal enquiries about the project.

Sheffield as your research base: Sheffield is one of the UK’s greenest and most welcoming cities. With over a third of the city inside the Peak District National Park, outstanding cycling, climbing and walking routes, and a vibrant science and healthcare ecosystem, Sheffield offers a rare combination of natural beauty and research excellence. It is an ideal environment for both academic focus and a high quality of life — a supportive place to thrive during a PhD.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold a 1st class or 2:1 degree in Sport Science, Data Science, Biomedical Science, Engineering, or related subjects. Quantitative skills are desirable; training in specialist methods will be provided. We are offering this as a full-time PhD scholarship, though flexible working hours can be discussed. We welcome applications from all members of our community and are particularly encouraging those from diverse groups, such as members of the LGBTQIA+, BAME and disabled communities.

International applicants

Please read the funding notes section for important information about tuition fees for this scholarship.

Sheffield Hallam has a mandatory English language requirement of IELTS 7, or equivalent language qualification, for all applicants from Countries not included in the UKVI exemption list here:https://www.gov.uk/english-language/exemptions. This qualification must have been taken within the last two-years, with a score of at least 6.5 in all test areas and may be required even if you have previous qualifications gained at UK institutions. Please do check with the Postgraduate research team: DoctoralSchool-HWLS-PGR@shu.ac.uk prior to application as thisqualification must be submitted as part of the scholarship application.

How to Apply

Complete and submit the online application form at: https://www.shu.ac.uk/courses/sport-and-physical-activity/phd-sport-and-physical-activity/full-time/2026

You must ensure that you upload:

1. A 1,500-word research proposal addressing this specific project.
2. Two letters of reference, or details of two academic referees
3. Copy of your highest degree certificate
4. Copy of your passport
5. International applicants must submit IELTS results (or equivalent) taken in the last two years

We do not accept proposals setting out an applicant's own research and cannot consider applications where a research proposal addressing this specific project has not been submitted.

When completing the application form, please add the project title within the Personal Statement field and ensure that all attachments have been uploaded to the application system before submission.

If you experience issues submitting your online application, or for general enquiries please contact: DoctoralSchool-HWLS-PGR@shu.ac.uk

Application deadline: 17 June 2026, 12 noon UK Time (Late applications will not be accepted)

Interviews: W/C 06 July 2026 PLease note, we are unable to offer alternative interview slots once allocated to shortlisted candidates.