Edinburgh Rugby MScR Scholarship

Organisation: University of Edinburgh
Salary: £10900 scholarship
Location: Scottish Gas Murrayfield and Moray House School of Education and Sport (Holyrood, Edinburgh)
Contract type: Fixed Term (Part time)
Closing date: 2 October 2026
Interview date: 12 October 2026
Job Description: Project description
In partnership with Edinburgh Rugby, a Masters by Research (MScR) project in the Institute for Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences at the University of Edinburgh has been developed. Details of the scholarship can be found here - https://registryservices.ed.ac.uk/scholarships-and-student-funding/prospective-postgraduates/funding-for-uk-students/college-of-26

Coordinated within Moray House School of Education and Sport, this programme of work will provide the successful applicant with exposure to sports science support in a professional rugby environment and research opportunities at a world-leading university.

The focus of the project is to analyse off the ball activity in elite level rugby. Findings will act to support coach decision making and identify areas to inform training and in-game activity/performance.

The project will involve full-time in-person postgraduate research (PGR) study, with time dedicated each week to working at Edinburgh Rugby as a Performance Analyst. It is important to note that with PGR study, there are no taught elements, but the successful applicant will be supervised through the project. The supervisory team will consist of Dr Ali Pearson and Professor Tony Turner.

Applicant profile
- Minimum 2:1 degree award in a sports science subject or related area
- Previous experience of working as a performance analyst or sports science practitioner, ideally within a professional rugby environment
- Holds (or working towards or is willing to gain) relevant sports science-related qualifications (e.g., coaching badges) or accreditation(s) (e.g., ISPAS or ASPA)
- Academically minded, with awareness for research-related practice and process
- Understanding of key principles related to the project (critical areas include performance analysis, feedback and coaching process)
- Awareness of contemporary literature and able to identify gaps within published work
- IT literate; able to use desktop packages (e.g., Microsoft Office, iWork Suite) and proficient with data analysis tools (e.g., SPSS, R, Jamovi)
- Experience with sports science hardware and software (e.g., Hudl Sportscode, Nacsport, Opta, StatsPerform, Catapult GPS, Microsoft Excel and PowerBI)
- High attention to detail
- Proactive in approach to work and learning
- Willing to work flexibly as required within the project
- Able to manage a large workload professionally
- Committed to developing and producing the best quality of work
- Able to work independently and as part of a team, and build relationships with key stakeholders (supervisors, relevant coaching staff, players)
How to apply: Application process 1. To apply, please send a one-page document detailing a research proposal on off the ball activity in professional rugby, and what project you would conduct to assess or examine these priorities. This should be underpinned by examples of relevant published research. Please also include CV detailing your expertise and experiences and send to Dr Ali Pearson (Teaching Fellow in Applied Sport Science - alastair.pearson@ed.ac.uk) by 12pm on 2nd October 2026. Please also apply for the scholarship via the webform by 12pm on 2nd October 2026. Both components must be completed as part of the application process to considered for interview. 2. Applicants shortlisted for interview will be contacted with details of the interview by 9th October 2026. Interviews will be held w/c 12th October 2026. 3. The successful applicant will be notified post-interview by the end of w/c 19th October 2026. 4. The successful applicant will then need to apply for the MScR Sport, Physical Education and Health Sciences programme by 12pm on 30th October 2026*. * Details regarding this will be discussed with the successful applicant, with relevant support provided to aid the application process. Please direct any questions or queries regarding the scholarship to Dr Ali Pearson.

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Edinburgh Rugby MScR Scholarship