MicroSunSet Pre-Doctoral Fellow (DC3)

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 24 April 2026

About the MSCA project

MICROSUNSET is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) funded by the European Union. We are excited to announce 12 open positions for Doctoral Candidates (DCs). We aim to create a network of early-stage researchers equipped with the knowledge and skills - including entrepreneurship – needed to develop and support implementation strategies that addresses the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in Europe as diets shift toward more plant-based foods. For MICROSUNSET we will recruit 12 highly talented DCs where their collective research will focus on many different aspects to include investigations on bio-accessibility and bioavailability of micronutrients, and strategies to produce and process plant-based foods with enhanced concentration of micronutrients. Development of analytical methods, digestion models, dietary modelling, and conducting consumer surveys will form part of Doctoral Network’s tasks.

The 12 PhD vacancies will be based across seven different universities in Europe: four in Denmark (three at the Technical University of Denmark and one at the University of Copenhagen), two in Germany (Technical University of Munich), one in the Netherlands (Wageningen University), one in Ireland (University College Cork), two in the United Kingdom (University of Newcastle upon Tyne), and two in Finland (University of Helsinki).

To train the DCs as the next generation of micronutrient researchers in our international and interdisciplinary program, MICROSUNSET brings together experts from several disciplines as supervisors, forming a consortium of seven beneficiaries (see above) and fourteen associated partners including six from industry and two start-ups.  For more information, please have a look at https://microsunset.dtu.dk/.

To be eligible for a MICROSUNSET PhD-position, you must not have lived, studied, or worked in the host country for more than 12 months in the last 36 months, and must not already hold a doctoral degree.

About the open PhD-position (DC3)

Are you interested in becoming part of MICROSUNSET and building a strong foundation for a successful research career?

The Population Health Science Institute at Newcastle University is seeking highly motivated applicants for a PhD scholarship focused on determining the bio-accessibility and bioconversion of provitamin A carotenoids from plant-based foods. You will join the multidisciplinary Human Nutrition and Exercise Research Centre with research spanning many different fields of nutritional and exercise sciences. If you're ready to push the boundaries in unravelling the key contributors to bio-accessibility and bioconversion of provitamin A carotenoids in plant-based foods, we invite you to apply and join the dynamic research teams involved in MICROSUNSET.

Research objectives

Provitamin A carotenoids constitute the primary plant-based precursors of vitamin A; however, their capacity to meet human vitamin A requirements is highly constrained by substantial inter‑individual variability in bioavailability. The proposed PhD project seeks to elucidate the genetic determinants underlying this variability, with a particular emphasis on the bioconversion and bioefficacy of β‑carotene across diverse plant-based food sources and ethnic populations.

Building on our established isotope dilution methodologies for quantifying total body vitamin A stores, this research will investigate how effectively β‑carotene contributes to adequate vitamin A status in individuals from different ethnic backgrounds. The PhD candidate will analyse existing biological samples from human studies in which participants consumed β‑carotene from a range of dietary sources. In parallel, the candidate will recruit volunteers representing multiple ethnic groups to assess how specific genetic traits influence β‑carotene bioconversion, bioavailability, and post‑intestinal utilisation, using stable isotope–labelled [13C10]β‑carotene as a precise metabolic tracer.

By characterising the pronounced inter‑individual differences observed in β‑carotene metabolism, this project aims to identify key genes associated with these disparities and to determine whether particular genetic variants are disproportionately represented in certain ethnic groups. The findings are anticipated to provide groundbreaking insights into ethnic differences in provitamin A carotenoid bioavailability and to clarify the extent to which genetic factors contribute to the low‑responder phenotype documented in some populations.

Ultimately, this research aims at whether a plant‑based diet alone can overcome genetically determined limitations in β‑carotene utilisation, or whether targeted interventions—such as supplementation or food fortification—are required for at‑risk groups. The outcomes of this project have the potential to advance personalised nutrition approaches and to strengthen global public health efforts aimed at reducing vitamin A deficiency.

Throughout the project, you will collaborate with other Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in the MICROSUNSET consortium to contribute to generation of evidence-based knowledge about micronutrient intake, digestibility and bioavailability from plant-based diets. 

Part of the PhD-study will take place as external stay at Döhler GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany for three months and at Wageningen University in the Netherlands for another three months.

Responsibilities  

The primary goal of this PhD project is to identify genetic factors affecting bioconversion efficiency using state-of-the-art stable isotope techniques in various ethnic groups to support a healthier future for population groups that rely on plant-based foods.

As part of your research, you will

• Enrol in Newcastle University’s doctoral school and comply with its doctoral training requirements
• Participate actively in the MICROSUNSET training, dissemination, communication and exploitation activities.
• Publish and present high-quality research results related to the research project in international conference proceedings and peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Work actively to prepare and defend a doctoral thesis in the field of micronutrients and sustainable food products.
• Support student supervision and contribute to teaching at BSc and Master’s levels.

Qualifications
You must hold a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) in Nutrition/Biology or a similar degree at the equivalent academic level.

Furthermore, the ideal candidate has:

• Completed a relevant master’s program
• Appropriate technical skills
• Experience with analytical equipment such as HPLC and LC-MS
• Proficiency in molecular biology techniques
• Experience conducting intervention studies with human participants
• Strong communication skills in English, both written and oral

• Strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in interdisciplinary teams.
• A structured and analytical approach to work and problem-solving
• Willingness to attend all MICROSUNSET training events and own secondments

Experience with research dissemination - publications or conference presentations - is preferred.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in the Faculty of Medical Sciences Graduate School. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see the Faculty of Medical Sciences postgraduate research page.

Assessment

The assessment of the candidates will be conducted by an assessment committee which follows the MICROSUNSET recruitment set-up and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, (2005/251/EC) promoting an inclusive, merit-based, transparent, and unbiased recruitment process. After an eligibility check the assessment will be based on the qualification requirements listed above, as well as the grades from Masters/BSc education. A two-step procedure for applicants’ selection will be undertaken involving evaluation of the application and at least one interview.

About us

Newcastle University Population Health Science Institute is a large, multi-disciplinary research institute within the Faculty of Medical Science and comprises a vibrant multidisciplinary academic community working collaboratively alongside colleagues and partners from the wider health, care, industry and voluntary sectors as well as the public. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterised by collegial respect, and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

• The selected candidate will be employed full-time by Newcastle University within the MSCA-DN MICROSUNSET for a period of 36 months
• For information about Newcastle University’s enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD programme, please see Newcastle University’s Medical Faculty rules for the PhD education.
• Read more about working at the Human Nutrition and Exercise Research Centre here.

Salary and appointment terms

The start date is 1st September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the requirements from the European Commission related to the MSCA programme and the agreement between the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and UK’s national funding agency Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The EU MSCA grant received by DTU consists of a monthly gross salary 6,392 EUR (approx. £5,550). Please notice that the monthly salary you will receive will be lower than the above amounts, as these shall cover all costs related to your employment, such as monthly salary, future salary raises, pension, paid holidays, compulsory taxes, and labour market contributions. Depending on seniority, the monthly gross salary (before taxes) starts at approximately 4,300 EUR (approx. £3,730) plus pension.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Professor Georg Lietz, Georg.lietz@ncl.ac.uk tel.: +44 191 2086893.

You can read more about the Human Nutrition and Exercise Research Centre at HNERC.

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in the UK and Newcastle University at Newcastle University international students.

Application procedure

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 24th April 2026 (23:59 UK time).

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Grade transcripts and BSc/Master’s qualification (in English) including official description of grading scale

Furthermore, it is important that you document in your CV that you fulfil the eligibility requirements mentioned above. If possible also include a reference or recommendations letter.

Note: A Master’s degree (or equivalent) is not necessary at the time of application but will be required at the date of recruitment.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply. As Newcastle University works with research in critical technology, which is subject to special rules for security and export control, open-source background checks may be conducted on qualified candidates for the position.

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INSTITUTE

Population Health Sciences Institute  

Newcastle University Population Health Sciences Institute is one of three Research Institutes in the Faculty of Medical Sciences. It comprises a vibrant multidisciplinary academic community with researchers from a diverse range of disciplines and specialisms. We work alongside colleagues and partners from the wider health, care, industry and voluntary sectors as well as the public. Our aim is to improve health and care and reduce health inequalities. 

Our research seeks to: 

• understand, promote and maintain health and wellbeing throughout the life-course
• identify, tackle and prevent the structural and behavioural causes of ill-health and reduce inequalities
• design, implement and evaluate novel innovations to optimize the delivery and organisation of health care 

Human Nutrition and Exercise Research Centre (HNERC)
The Centre was established in 1994 as a multidisciplinary, cross-faculty research centre. HNERC at Newcastle University is a premier multidisciplinary research centre focused on understanding the combined impact of diet and physical activity on health, wellbeing, and disease prevention. It unites experts from biomedical, nutritional, and sports sciences to tackle major public health challenges, providing evidence-based solutions from molecular to population levels.  

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme MSCA (Grant Agreement number 101226907)

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.  As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC.  We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe. 

Requisition ID: 29263