Oxford Brookes University is offering a fully funded PhD studentship focused on Food, Nutrition, and Health in female prisoners, under the Nigel Groome Studentship. This project is based at the Oxford Brookes Centre for Nutrition and Health and supervised by Professor Jonathan Tammam, Dr Shelly Coe, and Ms Bethan Leach. The research aims to address a critical public health challenge by improving the nutrition and health of women in custody, a group with unique dietary needs and elevated risks of poor mental and physical health.

The project will use a mixed-methods approach, including comprehensive quantitative analysis of dietary intake from all food sources and qualitative research into the lived experiences of female prisoners regarding food provision. An intervention trial will evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on health outcomes, building on previous research in male prisoners. The research is designed to generate robust data to inform policy and reform food provision in prisons, with the potential for significant social and operational impact.

The studentship covers a stipend at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26), university fees, and bench fees for three years for Home UK/EU applicants. International applicants are eligible but must pay the difference between International and Home fees and demonstrate their ability to cover these costs. Visa and associated fees are not funded. The position requires up to 6 hours of teaching per week during semester time and participation in a teaching skills course.

Applicants should have a first or upper second-class honours degree from a UK Higher Education Institution or an equivalent qualification. International/EU applicants must provide a valid IELTS Academic test certificate (or equivalent) with an overall minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 and no score below 6.0, issued in the last two years. The application deadline is 20 February 2026, with the programme starting in September 2026. For more information and to apply, visit the Oxford Brookes University website or contact [email protected].