About the Project
Menopause is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) through adverse changes in lipid metabolism, adiposity, vascular function, and inflammation. Shift work, which disrupts circadian rhythms and sleep, independently elevates CVD risk through metabolic, autonomic, and behavioural pathways. The coexistence of menopause and shift work therefore represents a high-risk but is an understudied phenotype, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and manufacturing where women…
frequently work rotating or night shifts. This PhD project aims to investigate how meal timing influences cardiovascular risk in menopausal shift workers. The objectives are to: ( i ) establish a menopause and shift work advocacy group to co-produce insights into barriers and opportunities for cardiovascular health support in the workplace; ( ii ) conduct a systematic review of the influence of eating timing and circadian alignment on CVD outcomes; and ( iii ) undertake a controlled dietary intervention to characterise and modify cardiovascular risk markers in menopausal shift workers. The project will combine co-production with mechanistic and translational approaches to identify modifiable behavioural strategies. Findings will advance understanding of circadian–metabolic interactions during menopause and inform evidence-based dietary and workplace interventions to reduce CVD risk in this vulnerable and growing workforce population. This work is very timely, as it will greatly expand emerging knowledge about the hot topic of women’s health and chrono-nutrition or timing of eating, which impacts several inter-related factors related to nutrition, circadian rhythm and metabolic health. This PhD workplan will provide novel insights to evidence policy change for shift workers and menopausal women. This will be the first study to integrate psychosocial stress, menopause, shift work, and dietary environment into a comprehensive model of women’s cardiovascular risk. This will be of interest in several fields.
Enquiries are encouraged! For further information please contact Professor Alex Johnstone (alex.johnstone@abdn.ac.uk).
Where will I study?
You will be based within The Rowett Institute, part of the University of Aberdeen. This is located within the Foresterhill Health Campus in Aberdeen.
Training:
The Postgraduate Research (PGR) team at the University of Aberdeen (UoA) supports postgraduate researchers (PGRs) throughout their entire PhD journey by providing a comprehensive training and development programme. PGR development is about equipping researchers with the skills, knowledge and experience to help them make the most of their PhD journey and support them in any chosen career after the PhD. The programme of courses covers a wide range of generic skill areas including Navigating your PhD; Academic Writing; Working with Data; Wellbeing; Research and Project Management; Communication and Dissemination; Impact and Knowledge Exchange, and more. The training and development programme also includes some research related courses, although most of the discipline specific training is provided at the departmental level. The PGR team offer tailored support to enable PGRs to identify, articulate, and evidence skills that they would like to develop during their PhD. Weekly supervision meetings with primary supervisor monthly update with the wider supervisory team will support the student in their PhD journey.
Candidate Background:
The successful candidate should hold, or be close to completing, a first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in nutrition, dietetics, biomedical sciences, physiology, public health, psychology, nursing, epidemiology, or a related health science discipline. A Master's degree in a relevant subject would be advantageous.
Applicants should have a strong interest in women's health, cardiovascular disease prevention, and lifestyle-related risk factors across the life course. Previous experience in human research, including participant recruitment, data collection, dietary assessment, physiological measurements, survey administration, or epidemiological analysis, would be beneficial. Experience working with health-related datasets and quantitative statistical methods is desirable.
The candidate should be motivated to work within a multidisciplinary research environment and be willing to engage with diverse methodologies, including clinical assessments, behavioural research, and digital health approaches. Knowledge of menopause, circadian biology, shift work, cardiovascular health, or health inequalities would be advantageous but is not required, as training will be provided.
Strong organisational, communication, and analytical skills are essential, together with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a research team focused on improving the cardiovascular health and wellbeing of menopausal women engaged in shift work.
We actively encourage applications from diverse career paths and backgrounds and across all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status, amongst other protected characteristics.
Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire:
Scotland’s third largest city, Aberdeen sits on the coast between the mountains of Aberdeenshire and the stunning North Sea coastline. Renowned as a Global Energy Hub, Aberdeen is a vibrant, entrepreneurial region, home to a unique mix of business opportunities and specialist skills across various sectors including energy, technology, life sciences and food & drink. More than 20% of Scotland’s top businesses are located in this region which is taking great strides to ensure that it continues to compete on a world stage. Investments of more than £10 billion of public and private infrastructure is due to be delivered before 2030, marking an exciting time to be part of a genuine world-class location.
Application Procedure:
Important note: This project is open only to applicants eligible for the Home/UK fee rate. This includes EU students who hold settled or pre-settled status and meet the relevant residency criteria.
To apply, please submit the following documents via email to smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk
- A cover letter addressed to the supervisor of the project you're applying for.
- An up-to-date CV detailing your academic qualifications, employment history, and any other relevant experience. Please ensure your current permanent address is clearly stated, as this will be used to determine your fee status.
- Clear copies of your degree certificates and transcripts (if available).
- Evidence of settled or pre-settled status (if applicable).
Please send your application with documents attached as a single email with the subject line: "BHF Alex Johnstone - [Your Name]"
The deadline for applications is 23:59 GMT on 1st November 2026. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.
For any enquiries regarding your application or the application process, please contact smmsn-pgrenquiries@abdn.ac.uk
Funding Notes
Supported by the British Heart Foundation, this fully funded studentship includes UK/Home tuition fees, research costs, and a tax-free doctoral stipend of £21,805 for the 2026/2027 academic year.
The project is expected to start in February 2027.
References
- Peña Carrillo BJ, Sivasengh R, Johnstone AM, Gabriel BM. Exercise, nutrition and medicine timing in metabolic health: implications for management of type 2 diabetes. Proc Nutr Soc. 2024 Nov 18:1-6. doi: 10.1017/S0029665124007493.
- Gatenby C, Simpson P. Menopause: Physiology, definitions, and symptoms. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024 Jan;38(1):101855. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2023.101855
- Suchacki KJ, Thomas BJ, Ikushima YM, Chen KC, Fyfe C, Tavares AAS, Sulston RJ, Lovdel A, Woodward HJ, Han X, Mattiucci D, Brain EJ, Alcaide-Corral CJ, Kobayashi H, Gray GA, Whitfield PD, Stimson RH, Morton NM, Johnstone AM, Cawthorn WP. The effects of caloric restriction on adipose tissue and metabolic health are sex- and age-dependent. Elife. 2023 Apr 25;12:e88080. doi: 10.7554/eLife.88080.
- Chen S, Zhang X, Kortas J, Liu H. Effects of time-restricted eating on body composition and metabolic parameters in overweight and obese women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Nutr. 2025 Sep 16;12:1664412. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1664412.
- Sutton EF, Beyl R, Early KS, Cefalu WT, Ravussin E, Peterson CM. Early Time-Restricted Feeding Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Blood Pressure, and Oxidative Stress Even without Weight Loss in Men with Prediabetes. Cell Metab. 2018 Jun 5;27(6):1212-1221.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2018.04.010. Epub 2018 May 10. PMID: 29754952; PMCID: PMC5990470.