PhD Research on National Dietary Survey of Children in Ireland

Project Overview

This project focuses on assessing the dietary intake of Irish children as part of a national survey funded by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It will build upon established national databases developed since 1996, addressing key questions related to nutrition, health, and dietary patterns. Collaboration with Munster Technological University and Technological University Dublin enhances multi-institutional interdisciplinary research. The project aims to generate evidence critical for public health policy, food safety, and nutritional guidelines.

What You Will Do

The PhD candidate will engage in participant recruitment, dietary intake assessment, biofluid sample collection, and the construction and analysis of nutrition databases. The project involves a significant fieldwork component expected to last approximately 18 months followed by extensive desk-based data analysis. Training will be provided in dietary assessment methodologies. The role demands high initiative and may require travel, so a full driver's license and own transport are essential.

Expected Outcomes

The project will produce a robust, nationally representative dietary intake dataset for Irish children, enable detailed analyses of nutritional intake and its associations with health outcomes, and support evidence-based recommendations for food fortification, dietary guidelines, and food safety regulations. The results will enhance understanding of childhood nutrition and inform obesity prevention strategies and regulatory frameworks at both national and EU levels.

Why This Matters

Childhood nutrition profoundly influences lifelong health trajectories. This research provides critical evidence to address public health challenges such as obesity and malnutrition. By supporting policy development and regulatory decisions, it ensures safer food consumption and promotes healthier diets for future generations in Ireland and beyond.