Novel dietary and technology-based approaches in the management of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Apply and key information  

This project is funded by:

    • Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)
    • Department for the Economy (DfE)

Summary

Since 1975, the number of people with obesity has nearly tripled, and diabetes has also increased, affecting over 422 million people by 2014. These health problems not only affect people's well-being but are also costly; in 2017, treating diabetes cost about $727 billion worldwide. Obesity and diabetes also raise the risk of other serious health issues like heart disease, kidney problems, and some cancers, which adds to healthcare costs and lowers quality of life.

Traditionally, managing obesity and diabetes has focused on lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. While these can help at first, sticking to them long-term is hard. New medicines have been developed that help control blood sugar and aid weight loss. However, people often regain weight and struggle to keep up with treatments, showing the need for better lifestyle strategies that support lasting changes. Innovative dietary approaches are showing potential.

Time-restricted feeding (TRF), a type of intermittent fasting, helps reduce weight and improve how the body handles sugar by aligning eating times with the body's natural rhythms. Chrononutrition, which focuses on eating at certain times and choosing the right nutrients, has also shown positive effects for people with obesity and diabetes. These methods not only offer health benefits but may also help people develop better eating habits over time.

Technology can also support these lifestyle changes. Continuous glucose monitoring systems give real-time feedback on blood sugar levels, helping people make better food choices. Wearable devices that track physical activity, sleep, and heart rate can increase awareness of health behaviours and promote accountability, which is important for lasting changes. Combining these technologies with new eating methods can help people with obesity and diabetes manage their conditions better.  This research project, which will be conducted alongside a major cross-border initiative to develop an integrated healthcare model for obesity and type 2 diabetes, will explore the intersection of dietary and technology-based strategies in the management of obesity and type 2 diabetes to identify strategies for promoting sustainable behaviour changes and optimising long-term health outcomes.

Important Information: 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
  • 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
  • Practice-based research experience and/or dissemination
  • 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

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

  • Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)
  • Department for the Economy (DfE)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

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.

Recommended reading

Daly, A. and Hovorka, R. (2021) Technology in the management of type 2 diabetes: Present status and future prospects. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 23(8), 1722-1732. doi: 10.1111/dom.14418

Elmaleh-Sachs, A., Schwartz, J.L., Bramante, C.T., Nicklas, J.M., Gudzune, K.A. and Jay, M. (2024) Obesity Management in Adults. Jama, 330(20), 2000-2015. doi: 10.1001/jama.2023.19897

Ezpeleta, M., Cienfuegos, S., Lin, S., Pavlou, V., Gabel, K., Tussing-Humphreys, L. and Varady, K.A. (2024) Time-restricted eating: Watching the clock to treat obesity. Cell Metabolism, 36(2), 301-314. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.12.004

Forouhi, N.G. (2023) Embracing complexity: making sense of diet, nutrition, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia, 66(5), 786-799. doi: 10.1007/s00125-023-05873-z

Gudzune, K.A. and Kushner, R.F. (2024) Medications for Obesity. Jama, 332(7), 571-584. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.10816

Hawley, J.A., Sassone-Corsi, P. and Zierath, J.R. (2020) Chrono-nutrition for the prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes: from mice to men. Diabetologia, 63(11), 2253-2259. doi: 10.1007/s00125-020-05238-w

Henry, C.J., Kaur, B. and Quek, R.Y.C. (2020) Chrononutrition in the management of diabetes. Nutrition &Amp; Diabetes, 10(6). Doi: 10.1038/s41387-020-0109-6

Lingvay, I., Sumithran, P., Cohen, R.V. and Le Roux, C.W. (2022) Obesity management as a primary treatment goal for type 2 diabetes: time to reframe the conversation. Lancet, 399(10322), 394-405. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736

Manoogian, E.N.C., Chow, L.S., Taub, P.R., Laferrère, B. and Panda, S. (2021) Time-restricted Eating for the Prevention and Management of Metabolic Diseases. Endocrine Reviews, 43(2), 405-436. doi: 10.1210/endrev/bnab027

Raaijmakers, L.C.H., Pouwels, S., Berghuis, K.A. and Nienhuijs, S.W. (2015) Technology-based interventions in the treatment of overweight and obesity: A systematic review. Appetite, 95, 138-151. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2015.07.008

Sempionatto, J.R., Montiel, V.R., Vargas, E., Teymourian, H. and Wang, J. (2021) Wearable and Mobile Sensors for Personalized Nutrition. ACS Sensors, 6(5), 1745-1760. doi: 10.1021/acssensors.1c00553

Skinner, A., Toumpakari, Z., Stone, C. and Johnson, L. (2020) Future Directions for Integrative Objective Assessment of Eating Using Wearable Sensing Technology. Frontiers in Nutrition, 7, 80. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.00080

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 24 February 2025
04:00PM

Interview Date
24 March – 4 April 2025

Preferred student start date
15 September 2025

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Caomhan Logue

Other supervisors