Call for applications for a fully financed PhD fellowship

Project description

PhD Project: Milk Fat Globule Membrane, Gut Health, and Healthy Ageing Obesity and ageing are associated with impaired gut barrier function, chronic lowgrade inflammation, insulin resistance, and increased risk of cognitive decline. Emerging evidence suggests that the health effects of dairy products depend not only on their nutrient composition but also on the food matrix. Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), a bioactive structure surrounding milk fat droplets, may improve gastrointestinal, metabolic, and cognitive health.
This PhD project will investigate whether daily supplementation with MFGM can improve gut barrier integrity, reduce inflammation, enhance insulin sensitivity, and support cognitive function in overweight and obese older adults. The project is based on growing evidence linking gut permeability (“leaky gut”) to metabolic dysfunction and neurodegenerative processes. MFGM may influence both gut barrier function and neurotrophic signalling pathways involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and sortilin.
The project includes a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in adults aged 50–70 years. Participants will receive either an MFGM-enriched beverage or a matched placebo for four weeks. Outcomes include gut barrier function, insulin sensitivity, metabolic and neurotrophic biomarkers, and cognitive performance. A subgroup will undergo intestinal biopsies, enabling detailed investigation of gut barrier mechanisms using advanced molecular analyses.
The successful candidate will work in a multidisciplinary research environment and gain experience in clinical nutrition, metabolic physiology, translational research, and advanced molecular techniques, contributing to the development of nutritional strategies for healthy ageing.

Qualifications

1. MD
2. As parts of the studies are carried out at Regional Hospital of Horsens - it is preferred with a candidate that has some familiarity with the hospital
3. Must be able to start at 1st of September 2026

How to apply

Please submit your application via this link. Application deadline is 29 June 2026 at 23:59 CET. Preferred starting date is 1 September 2026.

For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see our application guide.  

Further information

Please contact Associate Professor Mads Svart, mvsv@clin.au.dk, for more information.

All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement.