PhD Scholarship: Sheffield Hallam University: Optimising Tennis Shoe Performance and Tread Patterns: Investigating gender differences, player fatigue and shoe lifecycle adaptations across court surfaces

About the Project

Applications are invited for a Transforming Lives PhD scholarship in the School of Sport and Physical Activity: Optimising Tennis Shoe Performance and Tread Patterns, commencing 01/10/2026

The scholarship is for three and a half years full-time study and covers home PhD fees, £5238, and pays an annual stipend at the living wage foundation rate of £22,152 per year in the academic year 2025/26. This stipend payment will increase annually based on the rate set by the living wage foundation for the duration of the scholarship.

Project Title: Optimising Tennis Shoe Performance and Tread Patterns: Investigating gender differences, player fatigue and shoe lifecycle adaptations across court surfaces

The tennis shoe is one of the most important tools in an athlete’s arsenal as it provides stability and protection, facilitates surface-specific movements, and allows players to be agile on the court. The multi-faceted sport requires endurance, speed, agility, and power, all while executing rapid directional changes, explosive movements, and precise footwork. The biomechanical differences in playing styles, coupled with significantly different court surfaces, offer unique challenges to the performance and success of athletes. Despite existing advancements, gaps remain in understanding the dynamic interplay between pressure distribution, heat generation, material degradation, and biomechanical adaptations over a shoe's lifecycle.

On has been offering its customers unique, research-driven athletic gear, positioning them as forerunners in the sports industry. They have developed tennis shoes in collaboration with Roger Federer, one of the most decorated tennis players of all time, winning 20 Grand Slam championships and 103 singles titles in his career. Their current shoes specialize in clay and hard courts, offering agility, stability, and durability to customers. The aim of this study is to optimize On’s tennis shoes, encompassing gender differences, player fatigue, various court surfaces and differences in playing styles through rigorous research, testing, and engineering design. The following objectives will achieve the aim:

1. Literature review - this should include a focus on findings related to differences and similarities between genders and any literature related to player fatigue and shoe wear.
2. Surveys and video review - Using existing videos and carrying out a survey on players and coaches to understand male and female movement patterns on various court surfaces. The aim would be to develop an understanding of shot variations and tactical agility. Again, the differences and similarities between genders and player fatigue will be considered.
3. Quantifying tennis movements - based on the findings in the previous two objectives, experiments will be designed to fill the holes in the literature. For example, this could include utilizing 3D motion capture technology and force plate data to quantify the biomechanics of tennis movements in male and female athletes, including joint angles and range of motion, power generation, and ground reaction forces.
4. Investigating the shoe/surface interactions - again, experiments will be designed to fill holes in the literature. Possible examples include exploring pressure and temperature profiles during sliding and other dynamic movements using thermal cameras, force plates, and pressure insoles, to determine optimal friction coefficients and the effects of temperature on sole degradation
5. Measuring player adaptations throughout a shoe’s lifecycle - analysing player adaptations throughout a shoe’s lifecycle. Shoes of different levels of fatigue will be compared. A measure of shoe fatigue will be defined, and the shoe properties will be tested. Experimental design will be based on the findings and methods used in the previous objectives. For example, biomechanics and force generation may differ due to the level of shoe fatigue.
6. Developing innovative outsoles - conclusions from previous objectives will be used to define a specification of requirements for optimised outsoles. A specification may be specific to a gender and/or surface etc.
7. Test outsole prototypes - On will produce prototypes and they will be tested against the specifications defined by objective 6.

Who should apply?

Applicants should hold a BSc (1st or 2:1) honours degree (or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a related area. An MSc qualification in a related area is desirable, as would experience of working with clients or patients in the field of Sports Engineering.

We are offering this as a full-time PhD scholarship. 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 / EU applicants

Please see the funding notes section of this advert.

Sheffield Hallam University 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: 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. The qualification may be required even if you have previous qualifications from UK institutions.

Please check with Health-PGR-admissions@shu.ac.uk prior to application, as we cannot consider applications without this mandatory qualification .

How to apply for the scholarship

Our PhD scholarships involve full-time PhD study and a requirement that successful applicants must have completed all study and employment by the start date of the scholarship, which is 01/10/2026

Please complete and submit an application form: 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
   · must confirm that they have the personal resources to cover the scholarship fee gap set out within the funding section of this advert.

We do not accept proposals setting out an applicant's own research and cannot consider applications where the above mandatory documents have not been submitted.

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

Submission deadline: 10 June 2026 (12 noon BST) Late applications will not be accepted.

Interviews: 01 July 2026. Please note, we are unable to offer alternative interview slots once allocated to shortlisted candidates.

Funding Notes

Our scholarships are open to Home, EU and International applicants, however, the bursary will cover the Home fee only. The shortfall between the Home and EU/ International fee, currently around £13,362 per year, must be covered by the student for the 3.5-year duration of the scholarship. No additional funding will be available to assist international students with this fee gap.

Please note that the monthly stipend payments cannot be used to fund this fee gap, as they cover basic living expenses only.