PhD Studentship: Targeting individualised dietary management for cats with azotaemic CKD: Advanced renal care

About the Project

RVC Supervisor(s): Professor Rosanne Jepson

This is a fully funded PhD Studentship located in Camden, London please apply through the How To Apply page.

Project Details:

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in ageing cats. Loss of weight and muscle condition are components of ageing with impact on activity, owner-animal interaction, and quality of life. Metabolic derangements associated with CKD (e.g. CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD), metabolic acidosis), altered gut-kidney axis and uremic toxin generation impact appetite and nutritional status. These factors have an additive effect on weight and muscle loss; a situation referred to as protein energy wasting (PEW). Many cats diagnosed with azotaemic (IRIS stage 2) CKD have stable disease but ~30% of cats demonstrate progressive disease.

Recognition of cats at risk of PEW within 3 months of diagnosis of azotaemic CKD, particularly using a parameter such as change in body weight which is quick, easy and inexpensive to assess, alongside quantifiable traditional biochemical/acid-base parameters and novel biomarkers, would provide the opportunity for dietary intervention e.g. bicarbonate precursors, that could impact acid-base status, assist in control of uremic toxin production and also contribute to preventing the weight and muscle loss associated with PEW. The ultimate goal of this research is to individualise nutritional management for cats at risk of PEW and progression from the earliest timepoint.

This project will not include any experimental animal work, but the successful candidate will be required to participate in the Royal Veterinary College Ageing Cat Clinic.

The studentship will commence in October 2026.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please follow the link below. Please use your personal statement to demonstrate any previous skills or experience you have in clinical research methods or working with cats.

Start Date:

October 2026 - December 2026

Location:

Camden, London

Fees and Funding:

Home Fees funded. Open to applicants eligible for "Home" fees. International applicants are welcome to apply but must be able to fund the difference between "Home" and "Overseas" tuition fees.

Eligible students will receive a UKRI-aligned stipend plus London weighting allowance.

Interviews:

Interviews will take place remotely and will be held second week of August 2026.

Eligibility:

Essential:

• Qualified veterinary surgeon or degree graduate registered veterinary nurse who is MRCVS-eligible at the start of the studentship
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to manage multiple ongoing projects independently
• Ability to work as part of a team including working within clinical environments
• Drive to understand pathophysiology of disease

Desirable:

• Experience of retrospective epidemiological research
• Experience of prospective clinical study design
• Experience of laboratory-based research methodology
• Familiarity with statistical packages for data analysis
• Experience of scientific writing
• Experience of working in small animal clinical practice

Registration, Training and Funding:

Fully funded by industrial sponsorship (Royal Canin) inclusive of home status fees and stipend for veterinary graduate or degree graduate Registered Veterinary Nurse in-line with UKRI/BBSRC stipend recommendations https://www.ukri.org/manage-your-award/studentship-guidance/guidance-for-training-grant-holders/

The studentship covers stipend and Home rated university tuition fees. International students will attract tuition fees at the overseas rate and must show evidence at the time of application of their ability to cover the difference between Home fees and Overseas fees for the duration of study.

Eligible students will receive a UKRI-aligned stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26) plus a cost of living allowance of £2,200 per annum. Home rated university tuition fees will be paid. A full range of research and transferrable skills training will be made available to the student as appropriate.

Supervision:

RVC Supervisors: Professor Rosanne Jepson, Dr Rebecca Geddes, Professor Jonathan Elliott

Department: Clinical Science and Services

References for Background Reading:   Martín-del-Campo F, Avesani CM, Stenvinkel P, Lindholm B, Cueto-Manzano AM, Cortés-Sanabria L. Gut microbiota disturbances and protein-energy wasting in chronic kidney disease: a narrative review. J Nephrol 2023;(0123456789). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40620-022-01560-1

Elliott J, Syme HM, Reubens E, Markwell PJ. Assessment of acid-base status of cats with naturally occurring chronic renal failure. J Small Anim Pract. 2003;44:65–70

Freeman LM, Michel KE, Zanghi BM, Boler BMV, Fages J. Usefulness of muscle condition score and ultrasonographic measurements for assessment of muscle mass in cats wtih cachexia and sarcopenia. 2019;80(6):595–600.

How to Apply:

Closing date 31st July 2026

For more information on the application process and English Language requirements see How to Apply..

We welcome informal enquiries - these should be directed to Professor Rosanne Jepson (rjepson@rvc.ac.uk)

Deadline: 31/07/2026