Genetics of sensory nutrition – using genetics to understand how taste and olfactory perception influences eating behaviour and health

Human perception of taste and smell plays a key role in food preferences and choices. There is a large and growing body of work suggesting that taste and smell (together known as "chemosensory perception") determine eating behaviour and dietary intake, a primary risk factor of chronic conditions such as obesity, cardiometabolic disorders, and cancer.

However, evidence to date is largely based on observational studies that are susceptible to confounding and reverse causation, leaving the "causal effects" of chemosensory perception on food consumption unclear. If their relationship is truly causal, flavour modification may represent a tangible way of modifying food consumption in a way that benefits public health outcomes.

This PhD project aims to: (i) elucidate the genetic architecture underlying individual differences in taste and smell perception, (ii) use this information to assess their causal effects on eating behaviour, and (iii) create a sensory-food causal network mapping individual sensory qualities (i.e. sweet taste, bitter taste, and more) to individual food items.

The candidate will gain skills in big data analyses, computer programming, statistical method development and application (structural equation modelling, genome-wide association analysis, Mendelian randomisation), and writing and publishing scientific peer-reviewed papers. The candidate will also have opportunities to be involved and to lead national and international collaborative projects.

This PhD project will be conducted using state-of-the-art computational facilities at UQ. The candidate will receive dedicated research training, biostatistics support and access to competitive travel grants. The candidate will also receive mentorship from their supervisors as well as field-leading experts in chemosensory science, nutrition, epidemiology and statistical genetics.

This is an Earmarked scholarship project that aligns with a recently awarded Australian Government grant.

The scholarship includes:

• living stipend of $35,000 per annum tax free (2024 rate), indexed annually
• your tuition fees covered
• single overseas student health cover (OSHC).

Learn more about the Earmarked scholarship.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of genetics and basic statistics would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the field(s) of genetics and/or epidemiology and the potential for scholastic success.

A background or knowledge of unix, shell scripting and statistical programming is highly desirable.

This project requires candidates to commence no later than Research Quarter 1, 2025. To allow time for your application to be processed, we recommend applying no later than 30 September, 2024 30 June, 2024.

You can start in an earlier research quarter. See application dates.

Before you apply

1. Check your eligibility for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
2. Prepare your documentation.
3. Contact Dr Daniel Hwang (d.hwang@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for a PhD. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• My higher degree is not collaborative
• I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship
• UQ Earmarked Scholarship type.

Apply now