PhD Study : An investigation into the impact of fish protein supplementation to reduce the risk of sarcopenia in a care home setting.

Summary

Sarcopenia is a condition that involves age-related loss of muscle mass and function that can lead to a loss of independence and quality of life due to its association with adverse health outcomes including reduced mobility, unfavourable metabolic changes such as insulin resistance, increased risk of falls and fractures and an increased risk of mortality.

There is an increased focus on modifiable lifestyle factors, most notably diet and exercise, for the development of intervention strategies for the prevention and management of sarcopenia. Diet, specifically protein, has a role in the prevention and treatment of muscle loss in the older adult population however there is limited research on the effect of protein supplementation on lean body mass and other clinical outcomes in research older adults in residential care where the prevalence of muscle loss and weakness is reported to be high. There are also other nutrients considered to potentially impact sarcopenic risk including vitamin D and polyunsaturated fatty acids. More research is needed to assess diet quality on muscle strength and function in elderly populations at risk of sarcopenia.

This PhD aims to determine the incidence of sarcopenia in local care homes and how existing dietary habits may influence this risk. The student will be required to undertake a systematic review on dietary influences on sarcopenia and undertake a study to work alongside clinicians to explore the incidence and severity of sarcopenia in older adults residing in local care homes.

The project will utilise dietary assessment tools alongside principal component analysis methods to identify dietary patterns associated with measures of muscle strength and functionality in older adults in local care homes. The project will also involve a continuation of an ongoing intervention study investigating the impact of fish protein supplementation of sarcopenia risk factors.

Please note: Applications for more than one PhD studentship are welcome, however if you apply for more than one PhD project within Biomedical Sciences, your first application on the system will be deemed your first-choice preference and further applications will be ordered based on the sequential time of submission. If you are successfully shortlisted, you will be interviewed only on your first-choice application and ranked accordingly. Those ranked highest will be offered a PhD studentship. In the situation where you are ranked highly and your first-choice project is already allocated to someone who was ranked higher than you, you may be offered your 2nd or 3rd choice project depending on the availability of this project.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• Clearly defined research proposal detailing background, research questions, aims and methodology

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Work experience relevant to the proposed project
• Publications record appropriate to career stage
• Experience of presentation of research findings
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living