Human Appetite and Obesity

The School of Psychology invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2024/25 for the Thomas Ward Scholarship. The award is open to full-time or part-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree at the School of Psychology.<br /> <br /> This fully funded PhD provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in the areas of appetite, energy balance and obesity. This PhD examines food characteristics and satiety. The project will combine laboratory and survey measures of appetite, energy intake and body weight change to examine the effect of a range of different foods on satiety leading to a satiety map reference system. Particular focus will be given to the nutritional, sensory and physical characteristics of foods and how they affect satiety and obesity. The successful PhD candidate will join a multi-disciplinary team interested in the control of appetite and energy balance and conduct their PhD as part of two larger projects: a dietary weight loss study funded by a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship (PI; Dr Mark Hopkins) and the University of Leeds Satiety Map project which examines how nutritional, sensory, and physical characteristics of food impact satiety. This PhD project integrates survey measures of responses to foods, laboratory measures of satiety responses to foods and free living measures of dietary intakes, where free-living energy balance tracking technology is used to measure energy expenditure and change in body weight outside of the laboratory.

<p>Commercial and policy recommendations relating to foods and overconsumption rely on proxy metrics for the satiety value of foods taken from small-scale laboratory studies using a very limited number and range of manipulated foods, in largely university-based (undergraduate) populations rather than direct measures made in the general population. The SatMap project closes that gap by quantifying and explaining the satiety value of a very large structured, representative sample of foods available to consumers. The project has relevance to health practitioners, industry and consumers. The SatMap project involves a systematic and structured examination of the effects of physical, sensory, and nutritional attributes of foods on motivation to eat and energy intake, using a large representative sample of foods and participants using survey methodology, validated against laboratory measures of satiety in a subsample of foods and by examining dietary surveys.</p> <p>The successful candidate will ideally be familiar with the measurement of food intake and motivation to eat in humans, and have an interest in appetite and energy balance, weight management or human health. The PhD will be based in the School of Psychology, University of Leeds under the supervision of Prof. James Stubbs, and will be co-supervised by Professor Graham Finlayson, Dr Mark Hopkins, Dr Kristine Beaulieu (<a href="https://appetite-obesity.leeds.ac.uk/">Appetite Control &amp; Energy Balance research group, University of Leeds</a>).</p> <h4><strong>Conditions:</strong></h4> <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 no later than 1st October 2024.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=170024&amp;type=184&amp;DID=757&amp;url=https%3a%2f%2fbiologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk%2fresearch-degrees%2fdoc%2fhow-to-apply" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">online application form</a>&nbsp;and attach the following documentation to support their application.&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>a full academic CV</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University&#39;s minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Psychology as your programme of study</li> <li>Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for a Thomas Ward Scholarship</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University&#39;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 Psychology should normally have a First class or upper second class Undergraduate degree (or international equivalent) AND/OR a Distinction (or predicted Distinction) in their Masters degree (both in an appropriate discipline such as in psychology, human physiology or nutrition, sport and exercise science or another health-related discipline ). Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

Applicants whose first language is not English must provide evidence that their English language is sufficient to meet the specific demands of their study. The Faculty of Medicine and Health minimum requirements for this PhD are: &bull; British Council IELTS - score of 6.5 overall, with no element less than 6.0. The test must be dated within 2 years of the start of the course in order to be valid.

<p>The Thomas Ward Scholarship will attract an annual tax-free stipend matching the UKRI rate (&pound;18,622 for 2023/24) each year for up to 3 years subject to satisfactory progress. Academic fees will also be paid at the UK fee rate. Due to limited funding we can only consider applicants for this position who are eligible for UK fee status. Part time study is also available, and the stipend and study duration will be amended accordingly.</p>

<p>We encourage applicant to contact the supervisor(s) for informal discussion about the suitability of the project before applying to the University</p> <p>Prof R James Stubbs e:&nbsp;<a data-email-addr="624699257be1dbe81bd8b74337275c29f81d6c020eb54b7fa43966cfef8cafa7" data-email-name="R.J.Stubbs@leeds.ac.uk" data-stattype="2" href="javascript:void(0)">R.J.Stubbs@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about the application process please contact the Admissions team</p> <p>e:&nbsp;<a data-email-addr="362b73e637859029b72fb7319aa7bd55ffa6b1008d3b8af963f71c16a640deed" data-email-name="fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk" data-stattype="2" href="javascript:void(0)">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>