Improving metabolic responses to fruit smoothies and juices

Applications are invited for a three-year fully-funded studentship to support and work in the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism, to work on a project under the supervision of Prof Javier Gonzalez, jointly funded by Innocent Drinks and the University of Bath. This project would suit individuals with an interest in metabolic research with relevance to human health and performance.

Background

Fruit juice and smoothies make a major contribution to dietary intakes of key nutrients such as vitamin C (up to 54%), potassium, (up to 17%), folate (up to 15%), vitamin A (up to 12%). Furthermore, intervention studies consistently demonstrate that adding fruit juice to the diet can lower blood pressure and potentially lower body mass. However, there are some concerns over the contribution of fruit juices and smoothies to free sugar intakes. The aim of this PhD studentship is to understand the metabolic physiology underlying responses to ingestion of fruit juices and smoothies, and to use this knowledge to develop strategies that maximise the potential health benefits whilst minimising potential health risks of fruit juices and smoothies.

The Project

The PhD student will have a role in dictating the overall direction of the project, but as an initial starting point, the project will include characterising the metabolic responses to a variety of fruit juices and smoothies in comparison to a reference drink. Strategies to improve the metabolic responses may include the addition or isolation of fruit-based fibres to slow down the rate of sugar digestion and thereby alter postprandial glucose and/or lipid metabolism.

The PhD student will be trained in conducting human randomised controlled metabolic trials. This will include training in Good Clinical Practise, the measurement of blood sugar (glucose) and fat (triglyceride) control, and other metabolic and hormonal responses to ingestion of meals. This will include skills such as blood sampling and handling, and biochemical analyses.

The PhD student will be supervised by Professor Javier Gonzalez and will become a member of the Centre for Nutrition, Exercise and Metabolism at the University of Bath. As this project is co-funded by Innocent Drinks, the student will also have the opportunity to gain experience in industry to facilitate impact of the research in product reformulation and understand how a company can use evidence to better understand how their products influence human metabolism.

By combining human metabolic physiology skills with applied industry experience, this project will provide a unique training opportunity to become an independent scientist within academic or non-academic careers.

Reading

Are all sugars equal? Role of the food source in physiological responses to sugars with an emphasis on fruit and fruit juice

The Successful Candidate should:

1. Fulfil the entrance requirements for a Department for Health PhD
2. Have a strong understanding of human physiology (ideally with knowledge of nutrition/metabolism)
3. Have experience of relevant research methods (recruitment and management of human participants, conduct of human laboratory studies, data handling and statistical methodologies)
4. Have experience of relevant research techniques for postprandial metabolism (e.g. indirect calorimetry, blood sampling and handling)
5. Have excellent communication (oral and written) and teamwork skills
6. Display an ability to learn new methods (statistical and technical)

Desirable criteria

1. Experience of collecting and analysing data for studies involving glucose metabolism in humans.
2. Experience of collecting and analysing data for studies involving lipid metabolism in humans.
3. Track record in contributing to the design, analysis, and publication of research studies.

Non-UK applicants must meet our English language entry requirement.

Enquiries and Applications

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to Professor Javier Gonzalez, Jg833@bath.ac.uk

Formal applications should be submitted via the University of Bath’s online application form for a PhD in Health prior to the closing date of this advert.

IMPORTANT

When completing the application form:

• In the Funding your studies section, select ‘URSA’ from the first drop-down list, and ‘Industry Sponsor’ from the second drop-down list, and specify ‘Innocent Drinks’ in the text box
• In the Your PhD project section, quote the project title of this project and the name of the lead supervisor in the appropriate boxes.
• Ensure that you upload to your application (in addition to the required academic and English language documents): a personal statement (no more than 2 pages) explaining your motivation, skills, experiences related to the research area and your career plan.

Failure to complete these steps will cause delays in processing your application and may cause you to miss the deadline.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website. 

Interviews

Interviews dates TBC

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We value a diverse research environment and aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated and respected. We welcome and encourage applications from under-represented groups.

If you have circumstances that you feel we should be aware of that have affected your educational attainment, then please feel free to tell us about it in your application form. The best way to do this is a short paragraph at the end of your personal statement.