1- PhD Scholarship in SenseEat -Interoceptive and exteroceptive strategies for dietary behavior change:
Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Food Science programme. The position is available from 01 November 2022 or later.
Title:
SenseEat -Interoceptive and exteroceptive strategies for dietary behavior change
Research area and project description:
The SenseEat PhD project spans the space from fundamental to applied research, by focusing on the relationship between human eating behavior, and ability to sense and react to changes in internal and external bodily information, as well as use the knowledge to test strategies supporting healthier eating behavior.
Bodily sensations shape the way we perceive, interpret and react to the world. These sensations are triggered by the body’s internal state (interoception) and the external environment (exteroception), and modulated by the individual’s ability to perceive bodily changes at the time they occur. Disturbances in the sensitivity to interoceptive and exteroceptive signals have been linked to unhealthy eating behavioural conditions.
For example, it is known that obese individuals tend to have lower interoceptive sensitivity and more accentuated reactions to exteroceptive stimuli, leading to exaggerated food consumption. Traditional strategies to control dietary intake, involving dietary restrictions, have been considered ineffective in the medium and long term. Thus, there is a demand for development of alternative strategies that can promote better eating behaviours, regardless of if this is in a context of altering the amount of food or type of food eaten.
The current PhD project takes the innovative approach of suggesting that improved attention to sensory food experiences in combination with state information from the body, including pleasure, can serve as an effective tool for promoting healthier eating behavior. In this PhD you will: elucidate how populations differ in their capabilities to sense sensory stimuli and bodily sensations, clarify strategies to ease interoception and exteroception, and use the strategies to support healthy eating behavior.
The project is of key research relevance, as it brings novel insights into the mechanisms involved in human ingestive behavior. It is further of societal relevance, as today’s society, with world-wide non-communicable diseases and sustainability issues, require concrete tools to aid dietary behavior changes.
The PhD project will be part of the SinoDanish Center’s (SDC) Food and Health Research theme, and is conducted in collaboration between the Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark and Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Project description. For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application.
Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants to the PhD position must have a relevant Master’s degree in Nutrition, Health, Sensory Science, Food Science or equivalent.
Competencies in sensory and consumer analyses, nutritional science, and knowledge about human eating behaviour would be an advantage.
Candidates must demonstrate evidence of creativity, independent learning, and a willingness to embrace an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Food Quality Perception & Society Science Team, Department of Food Science, Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
Please be aware, that the PhD project involves funding from Sino Danish Center/SDC, and it is therefore required that:
- the PhD student must spend time in a Chinese research environment. The specific period depends on the funding model.
- PhD students funded by the Danish SDC office are expected to contribute to the educational activities on the SDC Master’s programmes in Beijing during their stay in China.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:
- Professor & Science Team Leader Derek Victor Byrne, derekv.byrne@food.au.dk
How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application. Application deadline is Monday 15 August 2022 23:59. Preferred starting date is 01 November 2022.
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
Please note:
- The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
- Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.
2- PhD Scholarship in What are the role of bitter sensing in the liver? HepT2R:
Applicants are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Food Science programme. The position is available from 01 October 2022 or later.
Title:
HepT2R: What are the role of bitter sensing in the liver?
Research area and project description:
Bitter taste receptors (T2R) are found in extra-oral tissue, e.g. the liver. The basic function of these receptors are to sense bitter compounds, which are often toxic as well. In general toxic compounds are metabolized by the Cytochrome p450 (CYP) enzymes. Inappropriate CYP mediated reactions are often caused by drugs and food compounds, known as drug-drug or food-drug interactions. The causing compounds behind these are often bitter and activates the T2Rs.
This, suggest a role for T2Rs in sensing toxic compounds in the liver. Although, decades of research has provided a good understanding of the regulation of the CYPs, there is a complete lack of knowledge about the impact of toxic and often bitter compounds on extra-orally T2Rs. The HepT2R’s project will for the first time provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of T2Rs in the liver and there transcriptional regulation.
This PhD project is funded by Independent Research Fund Denmark | Natural Science. We are looking for a curiosity-driven, creative and highly motivated candidate, who will work with basic research in an explorative context. The PhD project includes independent work with several molecular techniques, cell cultures and animal models.
Project description. For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. Please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application.
Qualifications and specific competences:
The candidate will need to demonstrate previous experience working with cell cultures and analysis of gene and protein expression, as well as good communication skills.
The successful applicant should have:
- A MSc degree or equivalent in the area of molecular biology, human/animal physiology, cell biology or a related field.
- Hands-on experience with EMSA and ChIP-seq will be advantages.
- A high level of verbal and written communication in English as this is the language at the Department.
- Practical abilities to work systematically in a variety of research fields and conduct research independently.
- Good interpersonal skills, capable of taking responsibility and initiatives and to disseminate scientific results at a high level.
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park 48, DK-8200 Aarhus N
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:
- Professor Milena Corredig, mc@food.au.dk
- Assistant professor Martin Krøyer Rasmussen, Martink.rasmussen@food.au.dk
How to apply:
Please follow this link to submit your application. Application deadline is 01 August 2022 at 23:59 . Preferred starting date is 01 October 2022.
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.
Please note:
- The programme committee may request further information or invite the applicant to attend an interview.
- Shortlisting will be used, which means that the evaluation committee only will evaluate the most relevant applications.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.