Metabolic health and fitness to serve: the impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on pancreas–bone crosstalk

About the project

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs lower bone density and occasionally inflame the pancreas, but nobody knows whether the drug or the weight loss is responsible. Using micro-CT imaging of patient tissue alongside human stem-cell and organoid models, you will separate the two and uncover how the pancreas and skeleton communicate.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs have changed medicine faster than almost any treatment in a generation. Millions of people are now taking them, including serving personnel in the UK Armed Forces. But two signals have appeared in the data, and nobody can yet explain either.

The first is bone. People on these drugs lose bone density, particularly at the hip and spine. Is that the drug itself, or simply the consequence of losing weight and putting less load through the skeleton? No study has been able to separate the two.

The second is the pancreas. These drugs act directly on the pancreas, and in rare cases cause inflammation. What sustained exposure does to pancreatic tissue over years, especially in people already carrying excess pancreatic fat, remains unclear.

These may turn out to be the same problem. There is growing evidence that the pancreas and bone communicate, and this project will test whether GLP-1 drugs disrupt this cross-talk.

You will work with micro-CT imaging of real patient pancreatic tissue, human stem-cell derived pancreatic models, and patient-derived organoids, then test whether signals released by drug-treated pancreatic tissue change how bone cells build and break down bone. The findings matter directly for Defence, where bone stress injury is a major cause of lost service days, and the people most likely to be prescribed these drugs are often those returning to heavy physical training.

Dr Jessica Nelson PhD

• Cancer stem cell biology
• Tissue Repair Mechanisms
• Pancreatic cancer progression

Professor Jaswinder Sethi BSc DPhil FRSB

• Immunometabolism
• Obesity
• Metabolic diseases

Entry requirements

You must have an undergraduate degree (at least UK 2:1 honours degree) or its international equivalent in one of the following:

We welcome applicants who are interested in metabolic health, pancreatic biology and musculoskeletal health.

Familiarity with, or experience in, any combination of cell culture, molecular or cellular biology, microscopy, imaging, organoid or stem-cell models, or quantitative data analysis would be useful, but applicants are not expected to have experience in all of these areas.

An interest in developing skills across interdisciplinary research would be welcomed. Specialist training in the techniques required for the project will be provided, and if you have experience in any combination of these areas, we would encourage you to apply.

• biomedical sciences
• biological sciences
• cell biology
• or a related discipline

Fees and funding

For candidates looking to complete a PhD or EngD full-time we offer an enhanced tax-free stipend of up to £30k per year, along with a substantial budget for research, travel, and centre activities.

CISDnS is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusivity. We welcome all applicants regardless of their gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or age, and will give full consideration to applicants seeking flexible working patterns and those who have taken a career break or are transitioning into a new role. The University has a generous maternity policy, onsite childcare facilities, and offers a range of benefits to help ensure employees’ well-being and work-life balance.

How to apply

Apply now

Please apply via the online portal and select:

Applications should include:

• Academic year: 2027/28
• If you will be full time or part time
• Faculty: Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Search for "complex integrated systems"
• Select either PhD or EngD – if you are unsure, select PhD
• Add the name of the supervisor in section 2 of the application.
• your CV (resumé)
• 2 academic references
• degree transcripts and certificates to date

Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences

For questions about applying, email our Doctoral College (doctoralcollege-admissions@soton.ac.uk) .

Project leader

For an initial conversation, email Dr Jessica Nelson (j.nelson@soton.ac.uk) .

Research areas