PhD Study : The role of iodine in pregnancy and child development

Summary

Iodine is an essential micronutrient, required in sufficient amounts in pregnancy for maintenance of the thyroid hormones, which are critical to neurodevelopment. Recent evidence from the UK suggests even mild deficiency in pregnancy may be associated with reduced child cognitive function. In iodine-sufficient regions there are also potential adverse consequences of a high iodine intake for thyroid function. Thus, monitoring iodine status in vulnerable periods such as pregnancy and infancy is an important global public health concern.

The aim of this project is to investigate the role of iodine in pregnancy and child development in an established epidemiological birth cohort in the Republic of Seychelles; the Seychelles Child Development Study (SCDS). This presents a unique opportunity to study associations between iodine status and child developmental outcomes in a population with high fish diet and where iodine intakes are thus expected to be sufficient/high. This project will add to and build upon the research currently being conducted within the SCDS, which is contributing important data on fish consumption in pregnancy to policy makers with the potential to impact maternal and child health worldwide.

The objectives and brief methodology of this PhD are as follows:

Study 1: To conduct a systematic review investigating associations between iodine intakes in pregnancy with neurodevelopment. Review the literature to assess the relationships between varying iodine intakes in pregnancy in different populations and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Study 2: To investigate associations between maternal iodine status in pregnancy and child growth and cognitive outcomes at 20 months and at 7 years of age in SCDS Nutrition Cohort 2 (NC2).  Iodine status measures are currently being analysed in this cohort through a collaboration with the EUthyroid project [http://euthyroid.eu/]. Data will be used to conduct statistical analysis to assess relationships between maternal iodine status and child growth and development outcomes at two time points in the SCDS NC2.

Study 3:  To investigate genetic factors which might influence iodine status, by examining both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and DNA methylation at genes regulating thyroid hormone synthesis. This study will allow the student to work with the SCDS collaborators at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden in conducting novel genetic analysis of the maternal and child blood samples available within the NC2 cohort. This study will also present the opportunity to consider the role of selenium in iodine status, by studying SNPs in the thioredoxin genes, which regulate thyroidal hormone synthesis.

Study 4: To investigate iodine status of school age children (7 years) and associations with growth and cognitive outcomes in the SCDS NC2. Urine samples are currently being collected from children at this time point in Seychelles and will be sent to Ulster for analyses relating to iodine status (including urinary iodine concentrations and metabolomics) through the EUthyroid project. These data will be used to conduct statistical analysis to assess relationships between child iodine status and growth and cognitive outcomes.

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

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