LMS Research Internship: Off-Bike Training for On-Bike Performance
Closing Date: 30/01/2026

Please note: these internships are only available to current undergraduate students in Lancaster University Medical School.

This internship is offered as part of an exciting pilot of research opportunities for Medical School undergraduate students (MBChB and SaES). Each internship will be supervised by an academic member of staff. These opportunities are designed to give students experience of contributing to university research. These internships would be ideal for students considering postgraduate study, intercalated degrees or specialised foundation programmes. 

Project Summary:

Cycling and strength and conditioning is something that is often overlooked. Throughout the sport from the amateur to the elite level, strength and conditioning is something that is rarely incorporated into training regimes.

A current MSc Res project (Kieran Brownless) aims to understand any perceived barriers by cyclist to facilitators to including strength and conditioning and secondly to develop and deliver a strength and conditioning intervention and measure any changes/improvements in biomechanical performance and reduction to risk in injury.

This current MSc Res project focuses on changes/improvements in biomechanical function (e.g., muscle strength and power output) but adaptations from a physiological aspect as a result of the intervention is not included in this project, but we feel collecting this data and testing both biomechanical and physiological function could be integral to fully optimising our understanding of performance benefits from strength and conditioning for cyclists.

Therefore, the focus of the student internship is to determine if there are any improvements in physiological function (e.g., VO2 max and blood lactate) as a result of the strength and conditioning intervention.

The student intern will focus on undertaking data collection of physiological data pre and post the delivery of the intervention alongside the main research study delivered by the MSc Res student.  Participants will be recruited from elite and sub-elite cycling teams providing an excellent opportunity for the student intern to gain valuable experience with elite sporting teams. To measure physiological function, this will involve measuring gas analysis from participants using a Metalyser 3B whilst they cycle on a stationary bike (Watt bike) and increasing the required output until failure/exhaustion (they can no-longer cycle) and during this gas exchange will be measured to extract efficiency or aerobic capacity and secondly blood lactates will be taken every two minutes during the VO2 max test to determine lactate and anaerobic threshold. Participants will take part in this component when they come to Lancaster University for testing for the main testing for the MSc Res.

The student intern will also have the opportunity to be part of the intervention development and delivering the intervention with the MSc Res student if they would like to.

Major duties: 

• The student will form part of the team who will undertake and support participant recruitment, data collection, analysis and writing short synopses for relevant material that will form part of at least one published manuscript.

The successful candidate should be able to demonstrate:

• You must be a current student registered on BSc Sports and Exercise Science, MBChB Surgery, Medicine and Surgery with a Gateway Year and in Years 2-5 of study.
• Strong interest in undertaking research. Previous research experience is not essential as support will be provided, but a willingness to learn is essential.
• Basic Word and Excel proficiency.

Applicants should have good organisational skills, and academic experience in the following:

• Attending supervisory meetings
• Developing a plan of work
• Recording and presenting findings clearly

Please apply through ERS with:

1. A CV including your education history and any work experience (maximum of two full pages) and,
2. A cover letter that explains your interest in research, why you would like to be involved in this particular research internship, and how you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification.

For any informal information about this role please contact Dr Hannah Jarvis ([email protected])