Supervisors

Dr Marlou Dirks - University of Exeter - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Professor Benjamin Wall - University of Exeter - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Professor Francis Stephens - University of Exeter - Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Professor Jaap Keijer - Wageningen University, the Netherlands

Project Summary

The University of Exeter’s Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded the University of Exeter and Wageningen University, to be performed at both institutions, to commence on 1^st March 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Short periods of muscle disuse, which occur e.g. during the recovery from illness or (sports) injury, lead to a rapid loss of muscle mass (i.e. atrophy), function, and quality of life. The occurrence of muscle atrophy is caused by an imbalance between muscle protein synthesis and breakdown, which is likely driven by an impaired muscle protein synthetic response to protein intake (termed anabolic resistance). The focus of this PhD studentship will be to investigate the mechanisms underpinning muscle disuse atrophy and explore potential intervention strategies to mitigate the disuse-induced loss of muscle mass and function. To do so, experimental models of muscle disuse (e.g. limb immobilization, bed rest) will be combined with in vivo human physiology techniques in healthy volunteers. Techniques to be employed may include stable isotope amino acid tracers, blood and skeletal muscle biopsy sampling, forearm balance, and/or imaging techniques (ultrasound/MRI/ DXA), combined with complementary in-depth molecular analyses of collected biological samples. The studentship would be suitable for an enthusiastic candidate who is interested in understanding the mechanistic underpinning of skeletal muscle loss, and exploring potential intervention strategies. Given the nature of the joint studentship with a supervisory team across two institutions, good communication and organisational skills, as well as a flexible and mature attitude, are essential.

For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 4 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. Successful students would be part of a joint PhD programme with the University of Exeter and Wageningen University. They will spend at least 40% at each University and will graduate with a joint degree from the University of Exeter and Wageningen University. At the project start the student will be based for ~18 months within the chair group Human and Animal Physiology at Wageningen University, after which for (part of) the remaining time the student will be based in the Nutritional Physiology Research Group within Public Health and Sports Sciences at the St Luke’s Campus in Exeter. The student will benefit from the combined expertise and facilities offered at the two institutions, with the same lead supervisor within each university. The supervisory team has current joint PhD supervising experience in this setting.

Funding

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply. However, they should be aware that the award will only covers part (approximately £25,000) of the international tuition fee (currently £28,600pa) and does not include a stipend for living expenses.   

International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

Entry requirements

Applicants for this studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in biology/biosciences, physiology, sports science, nutrition or a related discipline.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. In the application process you will be asked to upload several documents.

•                     CV

•                     Letter of application (outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project).

•                     Transcript(s) giving full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained (this should be an interim transcript if you are still studying)

•                     Names of two referees familiar with your academic work. You are not required to obtain references yourself. We will request references directly from your referees if you are shortlisted.

•                     If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country you will need to submit evidence of your proficiency in English.

•                     If shortlisted, you will be asked to prepare a short presentation (5 min max.) to be delivered at the outset of your interview, detailing a proposal for the first study of the PhD project that you would envisage conducting.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 14^th November 2025.  Interviews will be held via Microsoft Teams in the weeks commencing 24^th November 2025 or 1^st December 2025.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5683 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary