MS/PhD Student Position in Nutrition & Exercise Science – Human Feeding Trials, Metabolic Health

South Dakota State University’s Dey Lab, led by Professor Moul Dey, is recruiting highly motivated MS/PhD students for fully funded research assistantships in Nutrition & Exercise Science, starting Summer or Fall 2026. The lab integrates clinical nutrition, human feeding studies, and mechanistic biomedical sciences, with a strong emphasis on translational and experimental approaches to improve human health through dietary interventions. Research in the Dey Lab centers on controlled human feeding trials, deep metabolic phenotyping, and multi-omics. Projects include studying the impact of ultra-processed foods on metabolic and cognitive aging, gut microbiome and metabolomics in chronic disease prevention, and protein source interactions (plant vs. animal) on body composition and metabolic health. The lab is located in a safe, affordable college town with a high quality of life, offering a supportive environment for rigorous scientific training. Students in the lab consistently publish in high-impact journals, present at top conferences, gain hands-on experience in clinical trial design, human feeding studies, IRB protocols, advanced statistics, and laboratory methods, and build strong professional networks through collaborative research and outreach. The lab encourages applications from students with backgrounds in nutrition, biology, veterinary sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, animal science, public health, or related biomedical fields. Prior research experience and basic statistics skills are preferred but not required. Enthusiasm for learning, adaptability, and a collaborative spirit are essential. The assistantship is fully funded, covering tuition and providing a stipend. Interested candidates should send their CV to Dr. Moul Dey at [email protected]. The application window is open for Summer/Fall 2026 entry.