Funding

Funded (UK/EU students only)

Project code

PSH50410325

Department

School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences

Start dates

October 2025

Application deadline

28 March 2025

Applications are invited for a funded three-year PhD to commence in October 2025. 

This PhD studentship is funded by Ingeborg Gross Foundation and will also form a key part of the research strategy within the internationally renowned Research in Group in Breast Health at the 1024ºË¹¤³§. 

The successful candidate will work as a part of the vibrant research community within the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences (Faculty of Science and Health) at the 1024ºË¹¤³§, and will be supervised by Dr Chris Mills and Prof Joanna Wakefield-Scurr.

The successful applicant will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). Bursary recipients will also receive a £500 p.a. for project costs/consumables. 

 

The work on this project could involve:

  • Quantifying morphological differences in breast tissue between a range of populations 
  • Determining if breast trauma alters the dynamic behaviour of the breasts
  • Developing strategies to mitigate future breast injuries

Scientific literature offers limited consideration of the female breast during contact sports. Breast injuries are prevalent, affecting up to 58% of players across their career, causing pain and tissue damage and potential long-term consequences. While ~50-60% of female contact sports athletes experience these injuries, only 10% are reported to medical staff, leading to a 'silent' epidemic. These injuries can impair performance and may result in fibrous lumps in breast tissue, often difficult to differentiate from breast cancer. However, at present we do not know how repeated breast impacts (from athletes competing in contact sports) affect breast tissue. It may be possible that any fibrous lumps in breast tissue or thickening of overlying skin may also alter the dynamic behaviour of the breasts that maybe be detectable using biomechanical techniques to provide early diagnosis of long-term breast trauma. This program of research will explore changes in breast morphology following breast impacts in contact sports.

The programme of work will utilise the state-of-the-art biomechanics (e.g. 34 camera Qualisys 3D motion capture system, Artec Eva surface scanner and a 15WL4 wide linear array ultrasound transducer) equipment housed within the School and a variety of data analysis image processing techniques.

 

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

This opportunity will suit a person who has a strong work ethic, is self-motivated, and has a desire to learn and develop as a researcher. Experience in capturing, processing and analysing biomechanical and image data in human participants is an advantage. Experience with and/or a willingness to learn MATLAB (or equivalent) is essential. Due to the sensitive nature of the research, excellent interpersonal skills are also required. Applicants from a range of training and/or research backgrounds including (not limited to) sport and exercise science, physiotherapy, tissue mechanics, or sonography are encouraged to apply.

 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Chris Mills (chris.mills@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our . Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.
 

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code PSH50410325 when applying.