Sports Engineering and Human Factors (Ref: SF-MEME-26-005)

About the Project

Loughborough has a proud history of pioneering the engineering of sports products, demonstrating how sport enhances physical and mental wellbeing and contributes to wider societal and cultural development. Building on this tradition, we design engineering solutions that place human performance, sport, wellbeing and social impact at the centre of technological progress.

Wolfson School hosts world-class expertise in sport engineering, human factors, biomechanics, sports-equipment design, ergonomics, and applied AI.

Our PhD research tackles real-world challenges such as improving athletic performance, preventing injury, enhancing user–technology interaction, and developing evidence-based product and system designs that benefit society.

A doctoral researcher will have access to state-of-the-art equipment, bespoke sport test rigs and dedicated biomechanics and prototyping facilities, enabling the design, development, testing, and optimisation of sports-related and human-centred systems. Our human-centred engineering labs, sports-engineering facilities, biomechanics testing suites, and interdisciplinary research groups create a unique environment for high-impact, real-world doctoral research.

The group also contributes to the development of Industry 5.0 paradigms, emphasising human-centric, resilient, performance-oriented and sustainable socio-technical systems.

Example research areas:

• Design and evaluation of sports equipment, apparel, footwear and performance wear for elite and recreational sport
• Biomechanics and kinetic/kinematic analysis in sport, motion analysis, injury prevention and performance optimisation
• Prototyping, testing and validation of sports and human-centred systems using advanced test rigs and measurement facilities
• Human-centred system design for Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 environments
• Ergonomics and user-centred engineering design
• Human–machine interfaces, VR/XR simulation and sports biomechanics
• Systems thinking and digital design methodologies
• Human performance modelling and safety-critical systems

Supervisor

Prof Steph Forrester (s.forrester@lboro.ac.uk)

Tuition fees for 2026-27 entry

UK fee - £5,238 Full-time degree per annum
International fee - £29,500 Full-time degree per annum

Fees for the 2026-27 academic year apply to projects starting in October 2026, February 2027 and July 2027.

UK tuition fees for 2026/27 are currently to be confirmed pending the release of the UKRI recommended rates. Once published, these rates will be subject to formal approval by the University before being confirmed.

Opportunity Details

• Target Start Date: October 2026
• Full time or part time available.
• Open to UK and international applicants.

How to Apply

We welcome discussions with interested candidates.

1. Interested applicants should first contact Professor Steph Forrester (S.Forrester@lboro.ac.uk) to discuss your research interests and funding options.
2. Applicants are then strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors with a CV, academic transcripts, and confirmation of funding sources or planned funding sources.
3. following any informal discussion, applicants are invited to make a formal application on the Loughborough Website.