Are you passionate about sport science, data analysis, and making a real-world impact in inclusive high-performance sport? A unique opportunity is now open for a Research Masters student to join a ground breaking project focused on performance trend forecasting in Para athletics, a rapidly growing field at the heart of the Paralympic movement.
Background
With each Paralympic Games cycle, the profile of Para athletics continues to grow, gaining increased media attention, public interest, and competitive momentum. Yet research in this space remains limited, especially in areas such as performance trends and predictive analytics.
The newly launched Para Athletics Academy of Ireland is gearing up to develop the next generation of elite athletes for future Games, including LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032. This research masters project will support that mission by delivering data-driven insights into how para athletics is evolving, informing talent development, event targeting, and resource allocation.
Project Overview
The central aim of this research is to analyse performance trends across Para athletics events, focusing on:
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Shifts in event popularity and sport classification competitiveness
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Changes in performance metrics such as sprint times, jump heights, and throw distances
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Predictive models to forecast future performance standards at major competitions
Key research questions include:
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Which sport classes are becoming more competitive?
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Are certain classifications or events increasing or decreasing in popularity?
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What performance trends can we expect leading into LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032?
This one-year Masters project is a collaborative initiative between University College Dublin (UCD) and Paralympics Ireland, with support from national high-performance stakeholders.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply, you must:
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Meet UCD’s Masters admission requirements
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Not be currently enrolled in another Masters program
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Be available for full-time study, starting September 2025
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Hold a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in sport and exercise science, data analytics, or a related field
How to Apply
Interested candidates should contact Professor Kate Pumpa (Kate.Pumpa@ucd.ie) for an informal discussion and to request the Expression of Interest form.
Deadline to submit expression of interest: July 9th, 2025
This is a rare opportunity to contribute to the development of high-performance Para sport in Ireland and beyond. If you’re ready to use your research skills to drive real impact in an evolving and important area, we want to hear from you.
Full description can be found here.
