Application details:
Reference number: SSEHS/LH
Start date of studentship: 01 October 2021
Closing date of advert: 18 July 2021
Interview date: August 2021
Supervisors:
Primary supervisor: Dr Liam Heaney
Secondary supervisor: Dr Tom Clifford, Dr Stephen Bailey, Tindaro Bongiovanni
An exciting PhD opportunity is available working in collaboration with Parma Calcio FC (Italian Serie A) to devise novel nutritional strategies to aid sports performance. This project will investigate increasing evidence that the human gut microbiome plays a critical role in the production of bioactive compounds purported to increase metabolic substrates, reduce inflammation and increase system-wide immunity. All of these factors may improve exercise performance, accelerate post-exercise recovery, and protect against pathogenic infection in elite athletes. In this project you will have the opportunity to work with leading academics within Sports Science and Bioanalysis, alongside professionals working within Elite Soccer to for skill development across multiple fields of research. This will provide an excellent base for a future career in science.
Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you will work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Doctoral College, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career.
Find out more: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/supporting-you/research/
The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences has been ranked 1st in the world for Sport-related Subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021).
Full Project Detail:
Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are produced by gut bacteria following the processing of non-digestible dietary fibre. They are a valuable fuel source for gut epithelial cells and their release into the circulation has been linked with an improved metabolic response. Further, there is a growing body of evidence to suggest that increasing circulating concentrations of SCFAs decreases inflammation associated with tissue damage, and increased immunological responses to pathogenic infection.
Experimental evidence will be collected before and after both naturally (diet) and chemically (supplementation) manipulating levels of SCFAs present in the body. A series of physiological tests will be conducted to understand the association of these dietary practices with exercise performance and recovery. The successful student will work closely with Tindaro Bongiovanni, a senior sports nutritionist at Parma FC, with the aim to translate investigations into elite football playing squads.
Entry requirements:
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in Sports/Exercise Science/Nutrition or a related subject. A relevant Masters degree and/or experience in one or more of the following will be highly advantageous: Exercise Physiology/Nutrition, Biochemical Analysis (mass spectrometry)
Contact details:
Name: Dr Liam Heaney
Email address: [Email Address Removed]
Telephone number: +44 (0)1509 226424
How to apply:
All applications should be made online at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/research/. Under programme name, select “School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences”.
Please quote reference number: SSEHS/LH
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