PhD Study : Studies of B vitamins and related genetic factors in relation to bone health in older adults

Apply and key information  

Summary

Osteoporosis is a major public health problem among older adults throughout the world. Given the significant healthcare costs of treating osteoporosis and its consequences, new strategies to maintain better bone health in older age are urgently needed. Vitamin D and calcium have well established preventive roles against osteoporosis, but other nutritional factors are emerging. Recent evidence suggests important protective roles for folate and the metabolically related B vitamins (i.e. vitamins B12, B6 and B2) in bone, through a separate mechanism - involving one carbon metabolism - that is unrelated to vitamin D (Clarke et al 2014; Bailey et al 2015). Notably, recent work from the nutrition team at Ulster University in collaboration with partners in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) showed that older people with low B-vitamin intakes or with a genetic variant folate metabolism were at significantly higher risk of osteoporosis.

This PhD project builds on this evidence, and will involve conducting human studies on B vitamins in relation to bone health outcomes in older adults. The project will form part of the ongoing TUDA study, the largest cohorts of its kind in Europe, providing comprehensive nutrition and health data on 5200 older adults recruited from North and South of Ireland. Embedded within the TUDA study is the OptiAGE project which specifically focusses on bone health and extends the existing collaboration of Ulster with TCD to also include UCD. Working as part of the TUDA-OptiAge team, this PhD project will involve conducting human trials in older people to optimise B vitamin status with the potential to influence bone mineral density.

The overall aim will be to investigate the role of B vitamins in bone in older adults. Methods: TUDA study participants will be screened and those identified with low B-vitamin intakes or genetic variation in folate metabolism will be invited to participate in intervention trials. These will include a 2-year trial of B vitamins supplements and shorter-term food trials to test the effectiveness of a newly developed B-vitamin fortified drink in older adults at-risk of sub-optimal B-vitamin status.  The student will gain experience in running human trials, analysing results using appropriate statistical methods and in the use of a range of relevant laboratory measures (related to B vitamin status and bone biomarkers), as well as performing and interpreting bone mineral density (BMD) measurements in participants using Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone scans (gold standard measurement for osteoporosis diagnosis). The student will need to work closely with the wider TUDA team at Ulster, interact with our external collaborators at TCD and UCD, and participate in meetings in Dublin and Norway as required.

This project will be based at Ulster's Nutrition Innovation Centre for Food and Health (NICHE).

Key References:

*Clarke M, Ward M, Strain JJ, Hoey L, Dickey W & McNulty H. B-vitamins and bone in health and disease: The current evidence. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2014; 73:330–339.

*Bailey RL & van Wijngaarden JP. The Role of B-Vitamins in Bone Health and Disease in Older Adults. Current Osteoporosis Reports 2015; 13: 256-261.

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
  • A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

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.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster
  • Research project completion within taught Masters degree or MRES
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Work experience relevant to the proposed project
  • Publications - peer-reviewed
  • Experience of presentation of research findings

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

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 19 February 2018
12:00AM

Interview Date
6, 7 and 8 March 2018

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2018

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Professor Helene McNulty

Other supervisors