Returning to Readiness: What Shapes Postnatal Physical Activity, Pelvic Health and Recovery?

About the Project

One full scholarship is available in the School of Biomedical Sciences in 2026/27. This scholarship is open to UK applicants and covers fees plus maintenance.

This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research at the intersection of women’s health, physical activity, pelvic health and applied biomedical sciences.

The School of Biomedical Sciences invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 for the Biomedical Sciences Alumni Studentship (John Findlay PhD Scholarship).

The award is open to full-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree in the School of Biomedical Sciences. We especially welcome applications that connect to the school's core research areas including Physical Activity and Public Health.

Staying active after having a baby can be challenging. Many women want to return to physical activity but face barriers such as fatigue, pelvic health symptoms, pain, low confidence, or uncertainty about what is “safe.” Healthcare advice can vary, and some women receive little or no guidance. Equally, women who were highly active before or during pregnancy often struggle to access clear support for returning to sport.

This PhD explores how physical activity and pelvic health advice is provided after birth, how women understand and act on this advice, and how pelvic health issues or recovery needs shape their journeys back to activity. This project is supported by a strong interdisciplinary team. In addition to the University of Leeds supervisors, the student will be co-supervised by Dr Marlize De Vivo (Sheffield Hallam University; CEO and Co-Founder, Active Pregnancy Foundation), an international leader in perinatal physical activity and behaviour-change implementation. The wider collaborator group includes Prof Julie Greeves OBE (Ministry of Defence), who contributes expertise in postpartum physical readiness and MOD recruitment pathways, as well as clinical partners from Leeds PPHS and Leeds ICB (Maternity). These collaborations provide exceptional opportunities for applied research, impact and knowledge exchange.

As a PhD student, you will work with women from a wide range of backgrounds, including those who are inactive, those returning to higher-level sport, and servicewomen, and collaborate with healthcare professionals and public health partners. You’ll develop skills in mixed-methods research, patient-public involvement, and health services research.

This studentship is ideal for applicants passionate about women’s health, physical activity, rehabilitation and applied biomedical research. You will join a supportive, multidisciplinary team and contribute to work that has direct impact on maternity care, primary care, physiotherapy and military return-to-duty pathways.

Entry Requirements

This award is only available to applicants who are eligible to pay fees at the UK Home fee rate.

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Biomedical Sciences should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential.

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements. The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

Other conditions:

• Applicants must not have been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.
• Awards must be taken up by 1st October 2026
• Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of hte University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.

How to Apply

Please note that this is one of five advertised projects for the John Findlay PhD Scholarship, applicants should only submit one application for this award.

To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an online application form and attach the following documentation to support their application.

• a full academic CV
• degree certificate and transcripts of marks
• Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)

To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;

• Select PhD in Biological Science as your programme of study
• Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert
• For source of funding please state you are applying for a John Findlay PhD Scholarship.

For further information about the admissions process, please contact the FBS PGR Admissions Team: fbsgrad@leeds.ac.uk

Funding Notes

We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Biomedical Sciences for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant matching the UKRI stipend (£21, 805 for 2025/26) and UK tuition fees for 4 years. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.