The Role of Sweet Taste Preferences in Food Reward, Appetite, and Body Weight

The School of Psychology invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2026/27 for this Scholarship. The award is open to full-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility requirements for a PhD degree in the School of Psychology. The PhD is funded through the American Beverage Association.

<p><strong>Wider Context:</strong> The use of sweeteners to replace sugar remains controversial with calls for long-term studies. The SWITCH trial studied the impact of sweetener use during and after weight management in a large cohort of individuals over 2 years.</p> <p><strong>The Project:</strong> This PhD explores how individual differences in sweet taste preferences—specifically, how much people like and want sweet flavours—may influence their responses to low-calorie sweeteners (LCS) and their subsequent effects on food choices, eating behaviours, and body weight. By assessing people's liking and wanting of different foods, the PhD will examine the rewarding properties associated with them.</p> <p>Using data from the SWITCH trial, the research will address the following questions: </p> <ol> <li>How do sweet taste preferences relate to body weight, eating behaviours, and demographic factors?</li> <li>Does the use of low-calorie sweetener beverages help reduce sweet cravings during weight management interventions?</li> <li>How does prior use of sweeteners affect the differences in liking and wanting sweet foods before and after the intervention?</li> <li>What other eating behaviour traits can predict weight management outcomes during the intervention?</li> </ol> <p>Based on analyses of these questions and a review of the current scientific literature, new research questions will be developed, studies will be created, and new data will be collected.</p> <p><strong>Supervisors: </strong>Professor Graham Finlayson, Professor Jason Halford and Dr Catherine Gibbons (and Professor Jo Harrold from University of Liverpool).</p> <p><strong>Environment: </strong>The student will be based in the Human Appetite Research Unit, School of Psychology, University of Leeds. Training will be provided in the relevant technical areas. The student will join the existing Appetite Control and Energy Balance team including three professors, three associate professors, plus post-doctoral researchers and other PhD students. The research group holds a regular seminar series and journal club which the successful applicant will participate in.</p> <p>From Discovery Science to real world interventions and public health, <a href="http://appetite-obesity.leeds.ac.uk">Appetite and Obesity research at Leeds</a>, aims to improve the lives of young people and adults living with or at risk of developing obesity. We conduct world leading research to understand 1) Eating Behaviour, Physical Activity and Energy Balance, 2) Weight Stigma and Mental Health, and 3) Early Determinates and Life Course.</p> <p>The SWITCH Trial is registered <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NTC02591134">https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NTC02591134</a>. </p>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application.</p> <ul> <li>a full academic CV</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University'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 an <strong>American Beverage Association Scholarship</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 Psychology should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Admissions Team prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the Faculty of Medicine and Health 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.

<p>We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Psychology for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant each year matching the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27) and UK tuition fees for 3 years. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to 2 years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</p> <h5>Other conditions</h5> <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^st October 2026.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>For further information about the admissions process, please contact the Faculty PGR Admissions team: <a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>