Role of nutrition, and gut function in human health and diseases (sarcopenia, frailty, diabetes and cardiovascular diseas); using metabolomics and genomics

Overview

Could what we eat reshape the crosstalk between our gut, muscles and heart as we age? This exciting PhD harnesses cutting-edge metabolomics to decode the nutrition-gut-muscle-heart axis, uncovering biomarkers of healthy ageing and novel targets to prevent age-related cardiovasucal and cardiometabolic disease.

About this opportunity

Background and rationale

Ageing brings profound changes in body composition, muscle strength (sarcopenia) and cardiovascular function, and diet is one of the most powerful modifiable factors shaping these trajectories. Growing evidence points to a bidirectional “gut-muscle-heart axis”, in which nutrients and gut-microbial metabolites (such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids and trimethylamine-N-oxide) influence muscle metabolism, anabolic resistance and cardiac health. How these signals integrate across organs during ageing remains poorly understood.

Aims

This project will characterise how nutrition and gut-derived metabolites regulate the muscle-heart connection across the lifespan, and identify molecular signatures of healthy versus accelerated biological ageing. The goal is to reveal mechanistic pathways and candidate biomarkers that could underpin new dietary and therapeutic strategies for age-related disease.

What you will do

You will apply state-of-the-art untargeted and targeted metabolomics (LC-MS/MS) and quantitative biomarker analysis to biological samples (e.g., plasma, skeletal muscle, faecal and cardiac material from established human cohorts and/or pre-clinical models), integrating multi-omic datasets using advanced bioinformatics and machine-learning approaches.

You will be collecting data from partipcaitn across and healthy and disease population, set up experiments, generate and analyse data, and interpret findings in the context of nutrition, physiology and biology.

Training and collaboration

You will join a vibrant, multidisciplinary team spanning nutrition, metabolism, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular science, with access to world-class mass spectrometry and bioinformatics facilities. You will receive comprehensive training in analytical chemistry, omics data science, statistics and scientific communication, and benefit from collaborations across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences and external partners. Full researcher-development and transferable-skills training is provided.

Project structure

Year 1 focuses on training in metabolomics/proteomics workflows, study design and a focused literature review, alongside pilot data generation. Years 2-3 are dedicated to core experimental work, multi-omic data integration and independent research leading to high-impact publications and thesis chapters. Throughout, you will present at group meetings and international conferences and contribute to public engagement.This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious, internationally-minded student to build a competitive, cross-disciplinary skill set at the interface of nutrition, omics technologies and ageing research.

Who is this for?

A first or upper second-class UK honours degree (2:1 or above), or international equivalent, in a relevant discipline (e.g., biochemistry, nutrition, physiology, biomedical/biological sciences, pharmacology or analytical chemistry); a relevant Master’s degree is desirable. We welcome motivated candidates with an interest in metabolomics, proteomics and ageing biology – laboratory and/or data-analysis experience is advantageous. International applicants must meet the University’s English language requirements (typically IELTS 6.5 overall, or equivalent).

How to apply

1. Contact supervisors

In the first instance, please email your CV, a cover letter, and the project title and reference number (FindAPhD ref: p169718) to [Dr Masoud Isanejad] at [M.Isanejad@liverpool.ac.uk]. Informal enquiries are warmly welcomed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a formal application through the University of Liverpool Application Portal; informal applications are reviewed by the supervisory team before a formal application is requested.

Applications accepted year-round and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Early application is strongly encouraged.

Supervisors	Email address	Staff profile URL
Masoud Isanejad	m.isanejad@liverpool.ac.uk	https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/masoud-isanejad
Howbeer Muhamad	Howbeer.Muhamad-Ali@liverpool.ac.uk	https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/howbeer-muhamad-ali
Alam, Uazman	ualam@liverpool.ac.uk	https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/uazman-alam
Pekovic-Vaughan, Vanja	vpv35@liverpool.ac.uk	https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/people/vanja-pekovic-vaughan

2. Prepare your application documents

You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
- A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
- University transcripts and degree certificates to date
- Passport details (international applicants only)
- English language certificates (international applicants only)
- A personal statement
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- Contact details for two proposed supervisors
- Names and contact details of two referees.
3. Apply

Finally, register and apply online. You'll receive an email acknowledgment once you've submitted your application. We'll be in touch with further details about what happens next.

Applications are considered year-round and the position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found; early application is encouraged. In the application portal, apply for the relevant research degree (e.g., PhD in Life Course and Medical Sciences / Ageing and Musculoskeletal Science) and quote the project title and reference (p169718) so your application reaches the correct supervisory team. You will receive an email acknowledgement once submitted, and the team will be in touch about next steps.

Funding your PhD

Scholarship or sponsored applicants are warmly welcomed. Although this project is advertised as self-funded, we encourage applications from candidates who hold, or applying for, a full scholarship/sponsorship – for example national government scholarships (e.g., China Scholarship Council, Saudi, Kuwaiti, Iraqi HCED,), Commonwealth Scholarships, employer or charitable sponsorship, or other competitive awards. Such funding would typically be expected to cover tuition fees (UK or international rate as applicable), living costs/stipend and, where possible, research/bench fees. The supervisory team is happy to support strong candidates in preparing scholarship applications and provide the documentation required. Please indicate your intended funding source in your enquiry.

If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.

There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.

We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom.

Scholarships and bursaries

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.

Duncan Norman Research Scholarship

If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £23,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.

John Lennon Memorial Scholarship

If you’re a UK student, either born in or with strong family connections to Merseyside, you could be eligible to apply for financial support worth up to £12,000 per year for up to three years of full-time postgraduate research (or up to five years part-time pro-rata).

Sport Liverpool Performance Programme

Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.

Discover our full range of scholarships and bursaries.

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.

Dr Masoud Isanejad