Research Assistant

We are a world class research-intensive university. We deliver teaching and learning of the highest quality. We play a leading role in economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England. Attracting and retaining high-calibre people is fundamental to our continued success.

The Role
You will join the BBSRC-funded Ageing and Nutrient Sensing (AGENTS) Network, working in a team of academics from Newcastle University, Imperial College London, University of Bristol and University of Manchester. Based in the School of Biomedical, Nutritional, and Sports Science and working closely with Dr Adrian Holliday, you will join a team passionately exploring age-related changes in appetite control and nutrient sensing pathways in a bid to better understand the mechanisms of the decline in food intake with ageing, known as "anorexia of ageing". Your work will entail conducting a literature review and synthesis of evidence relating to age-related changes in appetite control and nutrient sensing pathways.

Anorexia of ageing refers to the age-related decline in appetite and food intake. Effecting over 20% of community-dwelling older adults, and up to 80% of those hospitalised, loss of appetite has been strongly implicated in malnutrition during later life, which is associated with increased sarcopenia, frailty, and mortality. Appetite regulation and dysregulation with ageing is multifaceted, but we believe that age related changes in the ability to sense nutrients and in nutrient sensing pathways, particularly in the gut, brain, and skeletal muscle, may underpin age-related changes in appetite. The first step of this multi-stage project is to synthesise current evidence on the mechanisms of anorexia of ageing and nutrient sensing pathways, identifying areas for further investigation.

This post is fixed-term for a period of six months.

For informal enquiries contact: Dr Adrian Holliday - adrian.holliday@newcastle.ac.uk.

Find out more about the Faculty of Medical Sciences here.

Find out more about our Research Institutes here.

As part of our commitment to career development for research colleagues, the University has developed 3 levels of research role profiles. These profiles set out firstly the generic competences and responsibilities expected of role holders at each level and secondly the general qualifications and experiences needed for entry at a particular level.

Qualifications

• Good honours degree (or equivalent) in nutrition, biomedical sciences, sport science, or related field, with some subject knowledge in the relevant area.
• May possess (or be working towards) a higher research degree.

Advert information