PhD student in Nutrition & Health - AFR individual grant application - TB1122

TB1122

We are currently looking for a PhD student with the aim to define a 3-year project and apply for an AFR individual PhD grant in Nutrition and Health

1A-B, rue Thomas Edison, Strassen L-1445, Luxembourg

Background. Public health concerns exist worldwide due to the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases and co-morbidities, including, in particular cardiometabolic complications. Many of these are related to oxidative stress and low antioxidant status, along with chronic inflammation. Secondary plant compounds are an important group of non-essential plant constituents whose intake has been related to health-beneficial effects. However, their mode of action is often unclear, and aspects including their antioxidant properties during digestion, i.e., before absorption, and potential prebiotic aspects on the gut microbiota are clearly understudied topics.

Objectives. The aim is to define a 3-year project for the AFR Individual PhD grants. The topic should involve digestion and the health-beneficial properties of phytochemicals such as carotenoids or phenolics. This should include, e.g., aspects of their bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and fermentability during digestion related to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as tested by in vitro digestion, cell models, and models of the colonic phase/gut microbiota.

Training and research environment. The Nutrition and Health Research Group is a dynamic and multinational team belonging to the Department of Precision Health. The Nutrition and Health Research Team works at the intersection of basic research and nutritional epidemiology with a focus on translational aspects to improve population health.

We leave some flexibility to incorporate the candidate's own ideas in order to further develop the research project in collaboration with our team. Of note, the projects have to be further developed by the candidates in collaboration with our team from now on until March 2023. The project proposal should be submitted by March 09, 2023, for AFR Individual PhD grants funding. The work on the project might start as early as June 2023 if funded.

This project will be co-supervised by Dr. Torsten Bohn & Dr. Farhad Vahid.

Applications including a cover letter and a curriculum vitae should be sent before 15 January 2023 through our website via the apply button below. Please apply ONLINE formally through this web page. Applications by email will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.