PhD Studentship: The Impact of Reduced Sitting Time on Inflammatory-immune Measures; A Personalised Approach

The age-standardised prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and disease burden is rising, highlighting the need to scrutinise preventive measures. Established CVD risk factors include chronically elevated markers of inflammation, a sedentary lifestyle, low physical activity and psychological stress.

Our research has demonstrated that these risk factors may interact to increase CVD risk. There is a critical need to reduce and interrupt sitting time as adults are highly sedentary and long bouts of sedentary time are detrimental to health. Growing evidence suggests light physical activity improves cardiometabolic health and mortality, providing a viable intervention which is a better, longer-lasting way to increase physical activity via easy incorporation into daily living in inactive populations.

However, less is known about the acute benefits of breaking up sitting time on markers of the inflammatory-immune system. This studentship will use a transdisciplinary approach encompassing physiology, immunology, movement behaviours to investigate this. This studentship is funded by the Leicester Biomedical Research Centre which is a collaboration between Loughborough University, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the University of Leicester. The BRC’s purpose is to translate scientific breakthroughs in these areas into diagnostic tests, preventions and life-saving treatments for patients.

You will complete your research at Loughborough University, which is ranked number one in the world for sport-related subjects (QS World University Rankings). The School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences offers an exciting, interdisciplinary research environment, where research students work alongside expert staff with a diverse range of interests and experience. By studying for a PhD with us, you will be joining a thriving research community of over 200 Doctoral Researchers from across the globe. You will add to world-leading research that is helping to shape the latest advancements across the sport, exercise and health sectors.

In REF 2021, 94% of the work submitted was judged to be top-rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’, with 100% of research impact from the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences was rated ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. You will receive support from academic supervisors with different, but related, research expertise, while the University’s Doctoral College, postgraduate courses, group activities, and continuing professional development programmes, provide continual opportunities for building important research skills and networks among your peers and research academics.

Supervisors

Primary supervisor: Dr Nicola Paine

Secondary supervisors: Dr Andrew Kingsnorth, Professor Lettie Bishop

Essential criteria:

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in one of the following subject areas:

• Sport and Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences, Public Health or a physiology-related subject
• Ability to work independently, as part of a wider team and with members of the public
• Strong communication and excellent inter-personal skills
• Enthusiasm, passion and interest in the topic area

How to apply:

All applications should be made online. Under programme name, select SSEHS. Please quote the advertised reference number: SSEHS/NPBRC in your application. To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents.

For more information, please visit the Loughborough University website.

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