PhD Project: Behavioural approaches to reducing children's free sugar intake: the role of marketing and food labelling

Project Description This PhD project is part of a larger DAFM-funded project, SWEETWISE (involving UCD, TU Dublin and TCD). The SWEETWISE project will develop strategies to address sugar reduction, including; advancing our understanding of metabolic impacts of non-nutritive sweeteners as well as testing advanced technologies in non-thermal processing to determine their effect on free sugar content of children’s complementary weaning foods with a view to reformulation.

This specific PhD project recognises that food marketing and labelling drives consumption and aims to explore how the labels of food products for young children can be modified so that they accurately reflect the nutritional profile of the food, and the conditions for use.

Many puréed CACFs contain no added sugar and will readily advertise this on the package. However, the process of puréeing fruits means that the products have more free sugars than their whole-fruit counterparts. Free sugars are problematic as they are associated with both dental caries and overweight and obesity. The overarching aims of this project are to understand how parents, caregivers and key stakeholders perceive CACFs on the Irish market based on the information provided on the product packaging and to make recommendations for improving CACF labels.

The successful candidate student will oversee data collection methodologies, supervise junior researchers, and contribute to peer-reviewed publications. Location: TU Dublin School of School of Biological, Health and Sports Sciences www.tudublin.ie/explore/faculties-and-schools/sciences-health/biological-health-and-sports-sciences/

Student requirements Essential: This position is restricted to applicants who are eligible for EU funding. Only EU citizens or individuals who hold a residency status conferring EU fee and funding eligibility will be considered. Minimum 2.1 Honours degree in Nutrition, Public Health, Dietetics, Health Promotion, or related field. Demonstrated experience in quantitative and/or qualitative research methods. Demonstated understanding of health/nutrition of young children. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team. Strong organisational and time-management skills.

Desirable (but not essential): Ability to design and implement interviews, focus groups, and workshops. Publications or conference presentations in relevant fields. Familiarity with policy analysis and stakeholder engagement.

Funding Funding Agency: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Student Stipend per annum: € 25000 Materials & Travel Budget per annum: €1500 Fees covered by the funding per annum: € 6000 Duration of Funding: 48 months Deadline to submit an application: 30th January 2026

If you are interested in submitting an application for this project, please complete an Expression of Interest. forms.office.com/e/0hCcrv2Gkp