Professor Glen Davison invites applications for a full-time PhD Scholarship to investigate the effects of nutrition on immune function and infection incidence after exercise.
Background
It is common in some groups of athletes (e.g. endurance athletes and/or those with demanding training and competition schedules) to present with a higher than normal incidence of infections, especially of the upper respiratory tract (URTI). Experiencing URTI or illness symptoms (URS) can result in a loss of training days and a performance decrement, so strategies to reduce the risk of contracting these illnesses will be of direct benefit to athletes. Many nutritional strategies have been investigated in the field of Exercise Immunology over the last 30 years. However, many studies have relied on ex vivo markers of immune function, which may not be ‘clinically relevant’. Our group is particularly interested in the investigation of such relationships with the use of in vivo immune markers, which represent the whole integrated immune response, and other high value ‘clinically relevant’ markers, as well as the clinically relevant endpoint, URTI presentation.
This studentship will involve a series of investigations designed to determine the effects of nutrition on in vivo and/or clinically relevant ‘immune markers’ following acute exercise and during longer-term training periods.
Requirements
The successful candidate should have an interest in Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, and a keen interest in Exercise Immunology. Applicants should have a good Honours degree (at least 2:1 or equivalent) in an appropriate subject (e.g. Sports Science, Exercise Science, Physiology, Human Biology, Nutrition, Immunology, Biochemistry or another related discipline. Note: this is not an exhaustive list). An MSc in a relevant subject is desirable but not essential. More specific details about the project can be obtained by e-mailing Prof. Glen Davison ([Email Address Removed]).
Funding Details
This scholarship is jointly funded by the Graduate and Researcher College of the University of Kent and VOLAC International Limited. The studentship will cover tuition fees at the UK rate plus an enhanced stipend equivalent to the maintenance grant offered by the UK Research Councils (£16,062 in 2022/23, plus £5,000 enhancement providing £21,062 pa in total for 2022/23). The studentship will be offered for one year in the first instance, renewable for a maximum of three years subject to satisfactory academic performance.
This scholarship is open to both UK and international candidates, but the fees are covered only at the UK rate (students who pay international tuition fees are eligible but should be aware that the difference between fees will not be covered).
How to Apply
Applications should be completed online at:
http://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply-online/154
As part of this application please provide a 1500-word research proposal, including a brief review of relevant literature and outline for a potential first study that you could undertake as part of the PhD. Please include your CV and a covering letter within the online application. Please clearly state the reference “Nutrition and Exercise Immunology-GD1” in your covering letter. Please also select “Glen Davison” in the preferred supervisor section.
Deadline
The closing date is the 14 August 2022 and interviews are expected to held during the week commencing 29 August 2022 (dates TBC).
Please visit our website for more information on the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences: http://www.kent.ac.uk/sportsciences/