PhD Research Opportunity: Evaluation of Nutrition interventions to improve sleep and health(THRIVE 3)

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) Technological University Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise, Scheme (TU RISE) is co-financed by the Government of Ireland and the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund  (ERDF) via the Southern, Eastern & Midland Regional Programme 2021- 27 and the Northern & Western Regional Programme 2021-27

The Postgraduate Research Programme Translational Health Research Innovation preVention & Equity (THRIVE) offers 12 PhD research scholarships to commence in 2024. Each project will include an enterprise placement of minimum 12 weeks duration.

PhD Project Title: (THRIVE 3) Evaluation of Nutrition interventions to improve sleep and health

Sleep is vital to maintain physical and mental health, recovery, and performance. Sleep also has a restorative effect on the immune system and the endocrine system. Sleep requirements differ across the lifespan but for sleep to have a restorative effect on the body, it must be of adequate duration, timing, and quality. Sleep disturbance and sleep deprivation can have negative health consequences, and both are implicated in inflammatory disease and all-cause mortality. Sleep health is characterised by five key dimensions:

1 Sleep duration: total amount of sleep per 24 hours

2 Sleep continuity or efficiency: ease of falling asleep and returning to sleep

3 Timing: placement of sleep within the 24-hour day

4 Alertness/sleepiness: ability to maintain waking

5 Satisfaction/quality: subjective assessment of ‘good, or ‘poor’ sleep

These dimensions can be both positively and negatively affected through nutritional interventions e.g. kiwifruit, tart cherry, tryptophan rich protein, high glycaemic index carbohydrate and caffeine. This project will investigate the impact of nutritional interventions on the sleep health of the general population, athletes and coaches. 

Objectives of the research project:

1.     Scope the current literature in relation to sleep and nutrition for the general population: a) potential causes of sleep problems in the general population b) how nutrition impacts sleep health.

2.     Scope the current literature in relation to sleep and nutrition and the implications for athletes and coaches: a) is there a sleep problem in these population, b) potential causes of sleep problems in these populations c) what nutritional options could be utilised to promote sleep health in both populations. 

3.     Characterise the sleep of the general population i.e. healthy adults, to identify the specific sleep areas of concern with a view to implementing chrononutrition intervention(s). 

4.     Characterise the sleep of athletes and coaches in general and under specific circumstances i.e. competition, to identify the specific sleep areas of concern with a view to implementing chrononutrition intervention(s). 

5.     Assess the impact of nutrition interventions on sleep health. 

Requirements/Qualifications

A minimum of 2.1 honours degree (Level 8) in a relevant discipline.

Project Duration:

48 months (PhD)

Preferred Location:

ATU Donegal Campus

Applications:

Application Form / Terms and Conditions can be obtained on the website: https://www.atu.ie/TU-RISE

The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm, (GMT) Monday 29th April, 2024.

Only selected applicants will be called for an online interview (shortlisting may apply).