Optimising Creatine Dosing Strategies for Brain Health: a focus upon mild traumatic brain injury

About the Project

Project advert

Are you ready to tackle a research challenge with real-world impact? We invite motivated and talented graduates to apply for an exciting PhD project exploring how creatine supplementation can be optimised to support brain health. Creatine, best known for its role in muscle performance, also plays a vital role in brain energy metabolism. Yet, the most effective dosing strategies, timeframes and contexts remain unclear. This project will combine human trials, advanced brain imaging, and cognitive assessments to identify evidence-based approaches that could, over time, transform clinical practice.

You will gain expertise in experimental design, clinical research methods, data analysis, and science communication, working within state-of-the-art laboratories and with interdisciplinary collaborators across neuroscience, nutrition, and sports medicine.

As part of our inclusive and supportive doctoral community, you will benefit from structured training, conference funding, mentoring, and opportunities for collaboration and leadership. We are committed to fostering a dynamic academic environment where diverse perspectives drive innovation.

If you are curious, ambitious, and passionate about the topic, we would love to hear from you.

Project aims and objectives

This PhD programme of research aims to optimise creatine monohydrate dosing strategies for brain health, with a specific focus upon mild traumatic brain injury. This work will systematically investigate how creatine dose, duration, and timing influence brain creatine availability and markers of brain function and recovery. Findings from this research have the potential to inform sport-specific supplementation guidelines while also contributing to a broader understanding of nutritional strategies to support brain energy metabolism following mTBI across both athletic and non-athletic populations.

Funding

Both Home and International students can apply; however, please note that international candidates would have a start date of January 2027. Only home tuition fees will be covered for the duration of the 3.5 year award, which is £5,238 for the year 2026/27. Eligible international students will need to make up the difference in tuition fee funding (Band 2 for the year 2026/27).

The student will receive a standard stipend payment for the duration of the award. These payments are set at a level determined by the UKRI, currently £21,403 for the year 2026/27.

Specific requirements of the candidate

The qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience applicants should have for this project, in addition to our standard entry requirements.

The ideal candidate will have an undergraduate degree in Sport and exercise Science or a Biosciences related discipline. A Master’s degree in one of the subjects will be looked upon favourably, although this is not essential. In addition, being able to demonstrate some laboratory experience (this can include dissertation projects and/or voluntary work) is highly desirable, but is not essential for an application.

How to apply

Professor Craig Sale will lead the project as Principal Supervisor. Please get in touch with the proposed Principal Supervisor if you have any queries regarding the project.

To apply you will need to complete the online application form for a full-time PhD in Sports & Exercise Science.

Please complete the Doctoral Project Applicant Form, and include your CV and a covering letter to demonstrate how your skills and experience map to the aims and objectives of the project, the area of research and why you see this area as being of importance and interest.

Please upload these documents in the supporting documents section of the University’s Admissions Portal.

Applications closing date: 22 May 2026

Expected start date: October 2026 (home students only) / January 2027 (international students)

Please quote the reference: SciEng-CS-2026-27-Concussion Brain Creatine