Addressing Gaps in Evidence on Food and Nutrient Intakes Among UK Children and Adolescents

Our changing food supply means that current UK data on food and nutrient intakes in children and young people is limited. This PhD will fill this gap; including describing food and nutrient intakes by age; comparing behaviour across age groups and socio-economic backgrounds.<br /> <br /> The PhD will provide insights into young child nutrition using data from existing large studies and create a new adolescent cohort to assess intake in older age groups.<br /> <br /> The PhD candidate will have an opportunity to work with leading world experts in an interdisciplinary environment. The successful PhD candidate will work with experts in the field of nutrition, public health and psychology.<br /> <br /> One full scholarship is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition in 2027. <br /> <br /> This scholarship is open to UK applicants and covers UK fees plus a maintenance allowance matching current UKRI rates (£21,850 in 2026/27).<br /> <br /> The School of Food Science and Nutrition invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD starting on 1st February 2027.<br />

<p>The project will use data from two existing NIHR funded projects: <a href="https://growingwell.leeds.ac.uk/">Growing Well Study</a> in preschool children; and our evaluation of the <a href="https://fruitvegschools.leeds.ac.uk/">free school fruit and vegetable scheme</a> in KS1 children. A third new element will develop a new cohort of adolescents in Leeds as a research teaching module, training students to collect data and exploring diet in this age group.</p> <p>Food and nutrient intake information will be generated from data collected using <a href="http://www.myfood24.org/">myfood24</a>, an online tool supporting measures of actual intakes with outputs including nutrients; sustainability metrics; high fat salt and sugar scores and markers of processing.</p> <p><strong>Requirements for the project:</strong><br /> •    Knowledge of nutritional intake and measurements<br /> •    Understanding statistical analysis of large datasets<br /> •    Working with children/adolescents<br /> <br /> <strong>Preferred:</strong><br /> •    Eating behaviour measurement<br /> •    Psychology training</p> <p> </p>

<p>To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the University's website. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. <br /> •    The admission year for this project is 2026/2027 Academic Year. <br /> •    You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select ‘PhD Full-time’. <br /> •    The project start date for this project is 1st February 2027, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em>Addressing Gaps in Evidence on Food and Nutrient Intakes Among UK Children and Adolescents</em>, as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition/staff/7150/professor-janet-cade">Prof. Janet Cade</a> or <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/staff/12816/dr-diane-threapleton">Dr Diane Threapleton</a> as your proposed supervisor/s.</p> <p>You will be required to provide a brief personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project plus a CV.</p> <p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online. More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. </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>

The minimum entry requirements for PhD study is a 2.1 honours Bachelor degree, or equivalent, in a subject relating to your proposed area of research, or a good performance in a Master’s level course in a relevant subject.<br /> A first class honours degree (or equivalent) is usually required to be competitive for scholarship funding and a Master's degree is also a valuable asset. <br /> Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or PGR Admissions Team prior to making an application.

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).<br /> <br /> The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 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>We are offering a fully funded scholarship to study the project <em>Addressing Gaps in Evidence on Food and Nutrient Intakes Among UK Children and Adolescents</em>, at the School of Food, Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds for one UK status candidate. The funding covers UK tuition fees as well as a UKRI matched maintenance stipend (currently £21,850 in 2026/27) per year, for three and a half years, subject to satisfactory progress.</p> <p><strong>Eligibility Criteria</strong> <br /> •    Applicants must be eligible to pay fees at the Home (UK) rate.</p> <p>If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please see our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page</a>.<br />  </p>

<p>For further information please contact either of the below:<br /> - Faculty of Environment PGR Admissions team, ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk<br /> - Prof. Janet Cade, J.E.Cade@leeds.ac.uk <br /> - Dr Diane Threapleton, D.E.Threapleton@leeds.ac.uk</p>