EastBio: Too sweet: Behavioural and neurobiological impact of adolescent sugar consumption on decision-making

Details

This fully funded, 4-year PhD project is part of a competition funded by the BBSRC EASTBIO Doctoral Training Partnership.

The prevalence of juvenile obesity and type 2 diabetes is rapidly growing in children and teenagers. The overconsumption of highly palatable foods enriched in sugar is one of the main causes leading this. Despite numerous studies examining the metabolic consequences of sugar overconsumption, the long-term impact on brain and cognition remains understudied.

The prefrontal cortex plays a key role in the regulation of food choice and feeding behaviours, including the response to highly palatable foods like sugar. Interestingly, we previously showed that these parts of the brain are amongst the last to end their development during adolescence, making it more vulnerable to long-term changes driven by dietary habits (Peters and Naneix, 2022; Mukherjee et al., 2026).

The aim of this project is to investigate the impact of sugar (over)consumption during adolescence on decision-making processes and their underlying brain circuits. During this project you will combine in vivo and ex vivo approaches through 3 aims:

1. Using behavioural approaches in a mouse model, you will investigate long-lasting impact of sugary diet on different aspects of decision-making and action control.
2. Using ex vivo electrophysiology approaches (patch-clamp on brain slices), you will determine sugar-induced changes in prefrontal microcircuits.
3. Using circuit neuroscience methods, you will finally determine the causal relationships between changes in prefrontal functioning and alterations of decision-making processes in sugar-exposed mice.

This project offers an excellent training opportunity for a talented and highly motivated candidate. They will receive hands-on training in several fundamental neuroscience techniques including behaviour, neurophysiology and neuroanatomy. They will also work closely with other members of the two labs. The ideal candidate should have a good knowledge in neuroscience, pharmacology and cellular biology. Prior experience in the in working with animal models (rodents) and in approaches described above would be an advantage. A strong willingness to contribute to the team life is essential.

Interested applicants should contact the lead supervisor to discuss the project prior to applying. You can do this by selecting the first listed name at the top of this advert and sending your enquiry. Alternatively, you can search for the supervisor through the University of Aberdeen staff directory and email them directly.

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ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject. Those with a 2:2 UK Honours degree (or international equivalent) may be considered, provided they have (or are expected to achieve) a Distinction or Commendation at master’s level.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds and communities, and are committed to having a diverse, inclusive team.

All students must meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the UKRI guidance on funding for postgraduate training and development. This guidance should be read in conjunction with the Terms and conditions for training funding – UKRI.

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APPLICATION PROCEDURE

For full details and to download the application form, visit: https://biology.ed.ac.uk/eastbio/how-to-apply

Please note that you may only apply for one EASTBIO project.

1. Application submission

Submit your complete application by 23:59 GMT on 16th November 2026 to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Send your application as a single email with the subject line: “EASTBIO Application – [Your Name]”

2. Required documents

Your application email must include the following:

• Completed EASTBIO application form
• Academic certificates and transcripts (University education only)
• Two references (one reference may be non-academic)

3. References

All references must be provided using the official EASTBIO reference form (available here).

References can be either:

• Included with your application, or
• Sent directly by referees to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk with the subject line: “EASTBIO Reference – [Your Name]”

All references must be received by 23:59 GMT on 16th November 2026.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure both references are submitted by the deadline, as we cannot request them on your behalf.

Important notes

• You may only apply for one EastBio Project.
• No research proposal is required.
• Do not include any additional documents (for example, school certificates, conference papers, or dissertations).
• Incomplete applications or those including superfluous unnecessary documents will not be considered.
• Due to workload constraints, we are unable to follow up on missing documents or process incomplete applications.
• All candidates will be notified of the outcome of their application.
• We will confirm receipt of your applications upon processing. Due to the high volume of applications, this may not be until after the deadline. We ask that you please refrain from contacting us regarding updates or to see if your application has been received.
• For any questions or assistance with the application process, please contact smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk.

Funding Notes

This fully funded, four-year PhD project is offered as part of a competition within the EASTBIO BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. The opportunity is open to both UK and international applicants, although the proportion of international students recruited through the EASTBIO DTP is capped at 30% by UKRI BBSRC.

EASTBIO studentships provide a tax-free UKRI doctoral stipend (estimated at £22,437 for the 2027/28 academic year), a training grant of £5,000 per year for the first three years (and £1,500 in the fourth year), and a travel and conference allowance of £230 per year.

Please note that EASTBIO is unable to fund visa costs or associated healthcare surcharges for international students.