PhD Studentship: Optimising nutritional and physical recovery after pancreatic surgery

PhD Studentship: Optimising nutritional and physical recovery after pancreatic surgery

Optimising nutritional and physical recovery after pancreatic surgery.

Patients undergoing pancreatico-duodenectomy (PD) face a range of nutritional challenges with malabsorption, new diabetes, delayed gastric emptying, jaundice and cancer cachexia resulting in compromised nutritional status. Malnutrition and sarcopenia are associated with worsening survival and, whilst guidelines recommend intervention, there is a lack of data to support the design or efficacy of these interventions. Quality-of-life can be restored with support, but the optimal nutritional management in the post-operative setting is unclear.

This PhD explores the assessment of malnutrition, sarcopenia and dietary adequacy in patients after PD, including the use of app-based tools to assess physical activity and nutrient intake. You will also examine the safety of exercise interventions for those with insulin and glucagon deficiency (Type 3c diabetes) and the role of robotic surgery in mediating recovery. The successful candidate will support the development and initiation of a randomised controlled trial to deliver an individualised dietitian-led nutritional and physical activity intervention.

Training in anthropometric assessments and research methodology will be provided, and the successful candidate will develop skills in clinical research design and delivery, statistical analysis and the use of app-based technology. Research delivery will be based at the Royal Surrey Hospital within the hepato-pancreatico-biliary dietetic team with further opportunities for training within this clinical field, including opportunities to work with experienced surgical and dietetic collaborators at other UK PD centres.

This collaborative PhD is supported by well-established and experienced academic and clinical teams, working in a very patient focused clinical area. You will have the opportunity to build relationships with other research active hospitals, specifically a forward thinking well supported tertiary pancreatic centre, and other key stakeholders, including patient groups, through multi-centre trial set up and attendance at relevant conferences and research meetings.

Supervisors: Dr Kathryn Hart, Dr Robert Kerrison and Mary Phillips

Entry requirements

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information. Starting in October 2026. Later start dates may be possible, please contact Dr Kathryn Hart once the deadline passes.

You will need to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.

Registered Dietitian with at least 2 years clinical experience, ideally within a surgical field.

Minimum 2:1 in Nutrition and Dietetics degree.

Motivated individual with excellent verbal and written communication skills who is confident managing complex clinical problems. Strong drive to improve patient care.

Promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion is at the heart of the University of Surrey. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and actively encourage applications from people with diverse career paths, regardless of age, disability, ethnicBiosciences and Medicine PhDity, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/biosciences-and-medicine-phd#apply programme page.

In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.

Funding

Fully and directly funded for this project only. UKRI standard stipend £21,805 for 26/27 academic year. Funding available for 3.5 years.

Application deadline

12 July 2026

Enquiries

Contact Dr Kathryn Hart

Ref

PGR-2526-092

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