PhD Studentship: Maintaining muscle mass and physical function during GLP1 agonist induced weight loss with progressive resistance exercise training or protein nutrition

The University of Exeter’s Department of Public Health and Sport Science is inviting applications for a PhD studentship funded by PVolve and University of Exeter to commence on 22nd September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover Home tuition fees plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £20,780 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the St Luke’s Campus in Exeter.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) associated drugs have revolutionised weight loss. Therapies such as semaglutide (a GLP-1 receptor agonist) can result in up to 25% weight loss within 18 months in individuals who are overweight. However, there is concern that such rapid weight loss results in a disproportionate loss of muscle mass compared to conventional ‘dieting’, which can have detrimental effects on physical function. The present fully funded PhD studentships will perform a series of human physiology experiments and randomised controlled trials, including the use of stable isotope approaches to measure muscle loss and the underpinning mechanisms, to investigate why GLP-1 drugs cause excessive muscle loss and determine if this can be prevented with resistance exercise training or nutritional strategies. Working closely together, the two studentships are:

• Maintaining muscle mass and physical function during GLP1 agonist induced weight loss with progressive resistance exercise training
• Maintaining muscle mass and physical function during GLP1 agonist induced weight loss with protein nutrition

The studentships would suit candidates with a background in sport science, human physiology, or applied nutrition. In your application, please indicate which studentship(s) you wish to be considered for. If you wish to be considered for both, please indicate your preferred project.

The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit. Students who pay international tuition fees are eligible to apply, but should note that the award will only provide payment for part of the international tuition fee (~£25,000) and no stipend.

International applicants need to be aware that they will have to cover the cost of their student visa, healthcare surcharge and other costs of moving to the UK to do a PhD.

The conditions for eligibility of home fees status are complex and you will need to seek advice if you have moved to or from the UK (or Republic of Ireland) within the past 3 years or have applied for settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.

The collaboration involves a project partner who is providing funding [and other material support to the project], this means there are special terms that apply to the project, these will be discussed with Candidates at Interview and fully set out in the offer letter.

For further information regarding this studentship, please visit the following website: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5558

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