NAPIC: Plant proteins as modulators of gut-brain axis and their contribution to metabolic health

One full scholarship is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition in 2025/26. This scholarship is open to Home fee rated and International applicants and covers UK tuition fees plus a maintenance grant (&pound;19,237 in 2024/25) for full-time study. Please note that international applicants would have to pay the difference between Home and International student tuition fees.<br /> <br /> This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in a range of fields relating to Nutrition, Human Physiology and Cell Biology. <br /> <br /> The award is open to full-time candidates who have been offered a place on a PhD degree at the School of Food Science and Nutrition.

<p paraeid="{a728a4a5-0911-4e5c-a7a3-c35a10cd4361}{188}" paraid="48630624">There is an increasing interest in plant proteins as more sustainable protein sources compared to animal-based products. Plant proteins can serve as ingredients for food products, but they are also basis for (food) supplements. Indeed, the intake of protein and high protein products has been associated with health benefits, e.g. through hypotensive and hypoglycaemic effects.  </p> <p paraeid="{a728a4a5-0911-4e5c-a7a3-c35a10cd4361}{208}" paraid="328902289">The breakdown of proteins during intestinal digestion yields peptide fragments, many of which have been identified as significant drivers of postprandial response and subsequent metabolic effects thereby contributing to shape chronic disease risk i.e. diabetes, high blood pressure, CVD. Through different mechanisms, the consumption of protein affects satiety and postprandial glucose response, although these effects may differ, depending on type and amount of protein. Plant proteins and other alternative protein sources are increasingly popular, although with a lack of evidence on their individual effects and potential benefits.  </p> <p paraeid="{a728a4a5-0911-4e5c-a7a3-c35a10cd4361}{236}" paraid="332396284">The proposed PhD project will provide the opportunity to investigate different in vitro and in vivo mechanisms by which plant proteins may impact postprandial glucose response, including secretion of satiety hormones and satiety perception, as well as longer term effects on risk factors of cardiometabolic health (blood pressure, body weight etc). A range of methods will be employed including in vitro digestion, cell culture based, in vivo human studies (acute and chronic), and advanced analytical methodologies.  </p> <p paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{23}" paraid="1158814417">This project aims to:</p> <ul> <li paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{23}" paraid="1158814417">Investigate intestinal hydrolysis of selected plant proteins through application of in vitro digestion models i.e. INFOGEST, and study its impact on starch hydrolysis. </li> <li paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{23}" paraid="1158814417">Explore the effects of hydrolysed protein on postprandial hormone release using enteroendocrine cells and other cell models, as well as glucose uptake in muscle or adipose cells.</li> <li paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{23}" paraid="1158814417">Investigate in vivo acute effects of protein product consumption on postprandial glucose response, satiety hormones etc.  </li> <li paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{23}" paraid="1158814417">Explore plasma peptide profiling and its association with cardiometabolic markers.</li> </ul> <p paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{33}" paraid="1554547130">In addition to the majority of experimental work carried out at the University of Leeds, there is involvement of Prof Chris Gill, Ulster University, as external supervisor, providing an opportunity for the student to conduct some of the work at Ulster. The PhD student will get excellent opportunities to do placements with our industrial partners and the wider community in UK and abroad within NAPIC – please see the website for partners of NAPIC: <a aria-label="Link https://napic.ac.uk/partners/" href="https://napic.ac.uk/partners/" id="menurm75" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://napic.ac.uk/partners/">https://napic.ac.uk/partners</a>.</p> <p paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{33}" paraid="1554547130"><strong>Information about the award</strong></p> <ul> <li paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{33}" paraid="1554547130">We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition for one candiate, covering a maintenance grant of £19,237 per year and UK tuition fees for three years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. <strong>Please note that international applicants are welcome to apply but would need to cover the difference between UK and International tuition fees. The maintenance stipend is paid monthly. You can read more about research degree fees <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-fees/doc/research-degrees-fees">here</a>.</strong></li> </ul> <p paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{33}" paraid="1554547130"><strong>Duration of the award</strong></p> <ul> <li paraeid="{6d93a545-c271-413b-a72c-f30f9d25d956}{33}" paraid="1554547130">Full-time (3.5 years).  The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Other conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1 October 2025.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul> <p> </p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN.</p> <ul> <li>For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’.</li> <li>The admission year for this project is 2025/26 Academic Year.</li> <li>For ‘Planned Course of Study’ please select ‘PhD Food Science and Nutrition Full-time’.</li> <li>For ‘Proposed Start Date of Research’ please select 1 October 2025.</li> <li><strong>In the research information section, you must state clearly that the project you wish to be considered for is ‘NAPIC: Plant proteins as modulators of gut-brain axis and their contribution to metabolic health’ and name <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition/staff/7155/dr-christine-bosch">Dr Christine Bosch</a> as your proposed supervisor. If you do not do this, your application may not be considered.</strong></li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition are expected to hold a bachelor degree in a relevant subject (2.1 or above or equivalent) or a good honours degree together with a Masters degree. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions team prior to making an application

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>For further information please contact Dr Christine Bosch (<a href="mailto:c.bosch@leeds.ac.uk" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">c.bosch@leeds.ac.uk</a>).</p>