NUTRIM PhD Programme

At NUTRIM, we support PhD candidates in building strong research skills and advancing their expertise in human nutrition and metabolism, lifestyle and living environments, toxicology, microbiome and movement. Here, you’ll gain specialised knowledge, along with interdisciplinary training and skills for high-level research. Our research institute offers talented master’s graduates from around the world the chance to earn a PhD by conducting independent research, guided by experienced researchers. This unique programme includes a personalised research plan, with courses tailored to your academic and professional development, conference participation and ultimately, the completion of your thesis.

NUTRIM provides PhD candidates with a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research across three vital areas: Metabolic Health, Liver & Digestive Health and Healthy Ageing. The institute's comprehensive framework, encompassing five key expertise areas, allowing researchers to delve deep into the complex interplay between nutrition, metabolism and health. This supportive and stimulating environment fosters innovative exploration in crucial fields such as malnutrition & body composition, movement, metabolism, inter-organ crosstalk & microbiome and lifestyle-living environment.

Enhancing PhD success and wellbeing

The NUTRIM PhD Council supports and represents PhD candidates, inform you about institute-level discussions and PhD issues like supervision and courses. The PhD Council comprises NUTRIM representatives who advocate for your interests, sharing research information, rights and regulations for PhD candidates, ideally at the start of their PhD journey. The PhD Students Council organises a range of events throughout the year, including the engaging PhD Days—a two-day introductory course for new PhD students and the NUTRIM café, which takes place quarterly. We invite you to share your ideas on current topics or suggestions on new discussion points or if you're interested in becoming a member of the NUTRIM PhD Students Council, - reach out to the PhD Council by email!

NUTRIM has two PhD coordinators Agnes Boots and Alex Remels, giving our PhDs space to turn to with their questions. Together with the PhD council they guide our PhD students in both their academic and personal journey and the educational offer. As spokespersons as well as trust persons for all PhD students in the NUTRIM community, they support both the social and academic wellbeing of al NUTRIM PhD candidates with the ongoing ambition to further promote and enhance inclusivity and team spirit amongst all NUTRIM PhD students." The PhD coordinators and PhD council also facilitate in the communication between PhD candidates and the NUTRIM board, participate in the institute council and play an advisory role to the institute council.

PhD supporting squads As off 2025 the NUTRIM PhD coordinators initiated a new buddy system. PhD supporting squads are groups of approximately eight NUTRIM PhD candidates who have all started their PhD project within the same year. These groups facilitate accessible communication between PhD candidates within different departments of NUTRIM. They are created to offer easy-accessible support from independent peers on PhD-related subjects as well as any other work-related or private subjects of personal interest and relevance. Although participation is not mandatory, it is highly recommended as it will make your PhD-journey smoother and hopefully also more enjoyable. The exact details and logistics are subject to the preferences of each individual supporting squad. Additional support on this matter can be asked to either the  NUTRIM PhD council or the NUTRIM PhD student coordinators .