Website [2] leedsbeckett [3] Leeds Beckett University
Closing date: 7th January
PhD on bitter taste genetics metabolism and cognition across nutrition physiology and neuroscience with studies in Leeds and Seattle for ambitious researchers.
Are you excited by the science of food, the brain, and health? This interdisciplinary PhD will give you the opportunity to explore how bitter taste compounds influence metabolism and cognition, working across nutrition, physiology, and neuroscience.
Bitter perception is more than just flavour, it is linked to the release of gut hormones that regulate appetite, glucose control, and satiety. People experience bitterness differently depending on their genotype (e.g., TAS2R38 variation), being classified as “super-tasters,” “tasters,” or “non-tasters.” This project will investigate how these genetic and perceptual differences shape both metabolic responses and brain activity when consuming bitter foods. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop skills in molecular biology, human sensory testing, neuroimaging, and cognitive assessment, while working with international collaborators. You will be part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team, with training tailored to support your career in academia, health sciences, or industry.
We are looking for a motivated postgraduate researcher with a background in nutrition, physiology, neuroscience, psychology, or a related field. Strong analytical skills, enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research, and a willingness to travel are essential.
We strongly encourage interested candidates to reach out to us for informal discussion before submitting the expression of interest.
Aim and objectives:
You will gain hands-on experience across three integrated studies:
- Lab-based assays (Leeds): To Identify food-derived bitter compounds that most strongly stimulate gut hormone GLP-1 release.
- Neuroimaging & sensory study (Seattle): You will spend 3 months at the University of Washington using fMRI to examine the link between genotype, perception, and brain activation.
- Human intervention trial (Leeds): You will test whether daily bitters improve glucose regulation and cognitive performance in different genotype groups.
Lab websites and links:
Dr Lauren Owen | Leeds Beckett University [4]
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Professor Lauren Owen [L.j.owen@leedsbeckett.ac.uk ]
About the BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (YBDTP):
The YBDTP brings together world-class bioscience research and innovation, as well as excellence in doctoral supervision, across the Yorkshire and Teesside region. The YBDTP will fund postgraduate researchers at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside forming a strong regional training partnership. In YBDTP you’ll benefit from a regional doctoral training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. The aim is to enable you to develop a range of research skills in biological, biotechnology and biochemical areas as well as equip you with core data analysis and professional skills that are necessary for bioscience research and related non-academic careers.
https://www.yorkshirebiosciencedtp.ac.uk [6]
Eligibility:
Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.
You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, we welcome applications if your background is in any biological, chemical or physical science or mathematics and are interested in using your skills in addressing biological questions. International students should check if they meet the entry requirements for the host university.
We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a very limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international (EU and non-EU) applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the highly competitive nature of this scheme.
The YBDTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.
Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.
English language: If English isn’t your first language, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. Please see the English language requirements for the host university.
https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/the-graduate-school/research-degrees/how-to-apply/ [7]
How to apply:
Application deadline: 5pm (UK time), Wednesday 7th January 2026
To submit your application, click on the link to the Expression of Interest form in the Funding Notes section of any of your chosen projects. You can apply for up to two YBDTP projects (which can be at different universities).
If you have any questions about the application process, please email YBDTP@leeds.ac.uk [8]
If you have any questions about the project you are interested in, please email the project supervisor (details inside the project description).
How we allocate:
Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly. If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be invited for an interview on a date to be confirmed in February 2026. You’ll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you’ll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 10 days.
Terms and conditions:
The studentships are fully funded for four years, and you must complete your PhD in four years.
You’ll receive the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments. The UK Research and Innovation [9] (UKRI) stipend is tax free and does not need to be paid back.
International students will need to have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their student visa [10], NHS health surcharge [11], travel insurance and travel to the UK as these are excluded from UKRI funding.
Funding Notes
Funding: A tax-free annual stipend at the standard UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26 entry), research costs and tuition fees at UK rate
Academic year: 2026/27
Open to: International (including EU) and UK (home) students
To apply for a studentship from the Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership to undertake this project, please complete an expression of interest form [12] for October 2026 recruitment.
To apply for this job please visit www.findaphd.com [13].