PhD Studentship - Metabolic Adaptation to a Low Carbohydrate Ketogenic Diet and its Effects on Exercise Fuel Use and Glucose Management in Physically Active People with Type 1 Diabetes

Overview

This PhD project at the University of Exeter, based in Public Health and Sport Sciences, studies low carbohydrate ketogenic diets in physically active people with type 1 diabetes. A ketogenic diet, very low in carbohydrate and high in fat, is increasingly popular among people with the condition. In principle it could help, since relying more on fat for fuel may mean the body needs less insulin and has more stable blood glucose, which could make exercise safer and easier to manage.

Nobody has yet tested what happens to fuel use and glucose control during exercise in physically active people with type 1 diabetes who follow this diet. This project will be the first to find out, and its evidence is intended to support safer, personalised dietary guidance for the type 1 diabetes population.

What you get

The project is one of up to 18 MRC-funded studentships offered through the GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Programme, with a start date of October 2027. The studentships last four years. Funding covers UK tuition fees and a doctoral stipend matching the UK Research Council national minimum, which is 21,805 pounds per year for 2026/27 and is updated annually. Up to 5,000 pounds per year is also available for research training and support costs.

Who can apply

The studentships are open to UK and international students. This project competes for a place with projects across the whole MRC GW4 BioMed3 Doctoral Landscape Award, in which 18 studentships are available across the partnership.

Key dates

The closing date is 21 October 2026, and the studentship begins in October 2027.