Examining the interaction between diet (composition and amount), physical activity, energy balance and health-related outcomes

PhD Studentship: Interactions between nutrition, physical activity and metabolism
We are inviting applications for a three year, fully-funded studentship within the Department of Health.
The role of diet and activity in health
We have a long-term interest in the mechanisms through which diet and physical activity play a role in health. Using experimental work, we would like to examine the interaction between diet (composition and amount), physical activity, energy balance and health-related outcomes. The student will be able to employ various experimental techniques as required to answer important questions – ranging from simple whole body measurements (e.g., DEXA) through to invasive tissue sampling (e.g., muscle and adipose biopsies). It may be possible to work with other research students and staff on common projects with unique outcomes. We are particularly keen to integrate measures that examine the interaction between diet/physical activity and the microbiome.
Research project
We are looking for a research student to join our team and help explore the mechanisms through which diet and physical activity play a role in health. In this studentship, we will co-develop the experimental work with the successful candidate. Thus, the precise details of the methods and research questions will be defined at a subsequent date. You will have the opportunity to gain expertise in a number of techniques to study human metabolism in vivo and in vitro. There is also scope to travel to other laboratories to learn new techniques and to build on collaborations.
Research supervision
If successful, you will conduct your research under the supervision of Professor Dylan Thompson, Dr James Betts, and Dr Javier Gonzalez within the Department of Health.
Award funding
If successful, you will be supported for three years. Funding includes:
• a £14,553 per-year stipend based on 2017/18 rate
• full Home/EU tuition fees
• an annual Training Support Grant
Funding requirements
To be considered for this studentship you should:
• meet the entrance requirements for a Department for Health PhD
• have a strong understanding of human metabolism (ideally with knowledge of exercise physiology) and associated research methods (recruitment of study participants, biochemical and molecular laboratory skills and statistical methodologies)
• have excellent communication (oral and written) and teamwork skills

We consider the following to be desirable:
• experience of collecting data for chronic research studies examining metabolism and/or exercise in humans (oral glucose tolerance testing, food tolerance testing, cardiorespiratory fitness testing, body composition analysis, blood sample analysis)
• ability to contribute towards the design of research studies
• experience of conducting statistical analyses using software packages (SPSS; Statistical Package for the Social Sciences)
Apply for this studentship
You must apply online to study for a full time PhD in the Department for Health.
You must quote the project title (Interactions between nutrition, physical activity and metabolism) on your application.
The application form will refer to a formal proposal. Please note that the application form will refer to a formal proposal. There is no need to write this formal proposal in this case. However, you will need to include a personal statement with your application. You should use this to explain how your skills and experience relate to the project, and reasons for applying for this studentship (maximum 500 words).
Deadlines
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 12.00 noon (BST), Monday 24 April, 2017.

Enquiries

Project enquiries:
Professor Dylan Thompson
[Email Address Removed]
01225 38 3177
Application enquiries:
[Email Address Removed]