Vitamin D in older adults - exploring how individuals respond differently to vitamin D supplementation using a combination of traditional health markers and novel metabolomics methods

Project
Vitamin D is required for maintaining calcium homeostasis and healthy bones. In addition, vitamin D deficiency is associated with a range of negative health outcomes such as, impaired immune function, increased cardiovascular and diabetes disease risk, reduced muscle function and poor mental health. Older adults are at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency due reduced sun exposure and reduced capacity to synthesise vitamin D in skin, compounded by low intakes of dietary vitamin D. The NutriPlus project will develop new targeted food products to improve the nutrition status of older adults.
This aim of this PhD project is to determine the vitamin D absorption rate of a new vitamin D enriched food product and examine the impact of the new food product on vitamin D status and health markers (e.g. glucose, insulin, cholesterol) in comparison to standard supplements in older adults. In addition, this project will explore how individuals respond differently to vitamin D supplementation using a combination of traditional health markers and novel metabolomics methods. The student will join a multidisciplinary team and will develop a range of skills during their PhD research including; experience in coordinating human intervention studies, dietary intake analysis, biofluid sample collection and processing, laboratory skills, metabolomics methods and multivariate data analysis.

Applicant
The applicant will have a minimum of a 2.1 honours degree in human nutrition/dietetics or a related discipline with a strong interest in nutrition research, metabolomics, and data analysis. The applicant will be enthusiastic and highly motivated, able to interact well with other team members and capable of working on their own initiative.

Applicant criteria:
- A 2.1 honours degree in human nutrition/dietetics or a related discipline
- Commitment to research and excellent problem solving skills
- Excellent scientific, organisational and project management skills
- Ability to work independently and a part of a multi-disciplinary team
-Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Scholarship:
€24,000 per year for 4 years. The scholarship is exempt from income tax and includes the UCD PhD registration fees at the EU student rate ~€6,800 per year.

Applications:
For further information contact Dr Aifric O’Sullivan [Email Address Removed]
To apply for the PhD send your CV (2 pages) and cover letter (1 page) to [Email Address Removed] Closing date: December 7th 2016. Interviews are provisionally scheduled to take place on the 21st of December 2016.