Supporting weight loss maintenance following use of obesity medications

Project Overview

New obesity medications like semaglutide can help people living with obesity to lose large amounts of weight and reduce their risk of obesity-related diseases. However, many people who start taking these medications stop taking them because of side effects or high costs. Stopping treatment can result in rapid and often distressing regain in appetite and weight. We have little existing evidence about the experiences of people who stop taking these medications and how best to support their physical and mental health.

Weight loss maintenance is a critical challenge for all types of obesity treatment and we previously developed an acceptance-based guided self-help programme (SWiM) to support weight loss maintenance in people who have completed a behavioural weight management programme. This PhD will use mixed methods to explore the experiences of people who stop taking obesity medications and will investigate how an intervention like SWiM could be adapted to support their needs.

Research Training and Supervision

This PhD studentship is funded by NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research and embedded within a larger project evaluating the effectiveness, equity and cost-effectiveness of using acceptance-based guided self-help to improve long term outcomes of weight management interventions (SWiM). There is scope within the proposed work for the candidate to take ownership of this work package on obesity medications and they will be supported to develop their own ideas within this. The student will work as part of a large multi-institution, multidisciplinary team and will develop skills in qualitative research, evidence synthesis, and co-production of interventions with health professionals and people with lived experience.

The primary supervisor will be the SWiM Principal Investigator, Dr Amy Ahern, and the student will receive additional mentoring and support from Co-Investigators including Dr Julia Mueller, Professor Andrew Hill, Professor Robbie Duschinsky and Professor Simon Griffin.

The MRC Epidemiology Unit is a research department in the School of Clinical Medicine at the University of Cambridge and investigates the causes and prevention of obesity, diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Our PhD students have the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research under the supervision of senior scientists supported by postdoctoral researchers and a large team of fieldworkers, data managers, statisticians, study coordinators, technical and administrative staff. Students are also members of one of the University’s Colleges, which offers pastoral support and a vibrant learning community. 

This student will be a member of the NIHR Academy and as such will benefit from i) career development and support activities, such as mentorship and leadership; ii) eligibility to apply for some short term research training and academic career development awards, iii) networking and career development events that embed them within the NIHR family.

This studentship is funded by an NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research Career Capacity Building Award. It includes a tax-free stipend for three years (£21,122 per annum) and covers "Home" status University Fees. Research costs are covered by the parent programme grant and there is a ring-fenced budget of £7000 to support the student’s training and development. 

How to apply

Applicants should meet all of the University of Cambridge entry requirements including at least a 2:1 (upper second class) degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject. A masters level qualification is desirable. We are happy to consider applicants from a broad range of disciplines (e.g., psychology, public health, social sciences, or related field). Applicants should bring an interest in the psychosocial determinants of obesity and weight management, qualitative research, and the development of behavioural interventions. Relevant research experience is desirable.

For more information about this project, please contact Dr Amy Ahern for an informal discussion in the first instance.

Information on how to apply can be found here. https://www.mrc-epid.cam.ac.uk/work-and-study/studentships/

Applications must be submitted by Tuesday 7 January 2025 through the online Applicant Portal