PhD Opportunities

Four-year funded PhD projects are available in areas that span the food chain from farm to fork: farmed animal health and welfare; food safety; lifelong health; human nutrition; one health; precision agriculture and smart technologies; reducing waste; sustainable agricultural systems; and understanding and exploiting genomics.

We are advertising 39 projects and will award up to 22 salaried studentships through a competitive process. Studentships will be for four years full-time and will start in autumn 2025. Studentship opportunities are available at Aberystwyth University, Brunel University, Cranfield University, University of Lincoln, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Reading and University of Surrey.

We are looking for candidates from a broad range of scientific backgrounds including: agricultural sciences and technology; analytical chemistry; arable farming; artificial intelligence; biochemistry; bioinformatics; biological science; biotechnology; data science; ecology, entomology, environmental chemistry and geography;  food production and science; genomics; livestock farming, health and welfare; machine learning; mathematical modelling; microbiology; nutrition and soil science.

Th online application form will open on Friday 20 December 2024. The closing date is 3 February 2025 (10.00 GMT). Please download a copy of  2025 cohort applicant guidance document. You will need this information when you are completing the application form.

Applicant webinar – 15 January 2024 at 17:00 (GMT)
DTP Director, Lisa Methven, will give a brief talk introducing the DTP and outlining what makes a good application. She will be joined by current researchers  who can answer your questions and share their experiences of being FoodBioSystems DTP students.

We are not able to accept any further registrations for the applicant webinar. We will share the PowerPoint presentation for those who are unable to attend.

Information about DTP studentships

Being a FoodBioSystems DTP funded student

As a FoodBioSystems postgraduate researcher student you will undertake training that leads towards a PhD and equips you with extra skills and knowledge to support your future career. Your research project will be co-supervised across two institutes within our academic partnership and you will take part in our training programme to gain a core understanding of food systems, data analysis and modelling. You will also follow a programme of subject specific learning, depending on your needs. In addition, you will carry out a professional internship (generally not related to the research project).

You will receive a tax-free stipend (salary) for four years so that you can benefit from the DTP training programme in addition to completing your research and submitting your thesis within 4 years registration period. The stipend is set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and in 2024/25 is £19,237 (or £21,237 for a studentship based at Brunel University). The pay increases slightly each year at rate determined by UKRI.

Please also explore our website to find our more about the DTP training programme, current projects at  six of the partner universities and meet some of our researchers to check out what they have said about their research and training experiences so far.

How to apply for a studentship

ALL applications to FoodBioSystems DTP are made via the online application form, irrespective of the location of the specific project (Reading, Surrey, Cranfield, Lincoln, Queen’s, Aberystwyth or Brunel). You can apply to a maximum of TWO PhD projects. The application form will open at 17:00 on Friday 20 December 2024.

Project details are available in the project list further down this page. Each project description indicates the name and institution of the lead supervisor and has a project ID number. You are welcome and encouraged to email the lead supervisors of projects to ask them any questions you may have or to discuss the project.

You will need the following documents to support your application:

  • Official transcripts of your higher education qualifications, inclusive of grades
  • Evidence of your proficiency in English, if English is not your first language. (You can provide this later if you have not completed an IELTS test before the application closing date).

You must also provide the name and email address of someone who will provide a confidential academic reference letter. The DTP office will request the letter from your referee if you are shortlisted for interview.

Equity Diversity and Inclusion

The FoodBioSystems DTP is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI). We want to build a doctoral researcher and staff body that reflects the diversity of society, and to encourage applications from under-represented and disadvantaged groups.

Applicants with disabilities or specific learning differences

Applicants can choose to disclose a disability or specific learning difference on the application form. The DTP office will contact shortlisted applicants who have made this disclosure so we can offer reasonable adjustments to interviews. This information is kept confidential unless the applicant chooses to share it with the interview panels.

Guaranteed interview scheme

FoodBioSystems DTP is offering a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates from eligible under-represented ethnic groups. This is an opt-in process. Applicants can participate in this scheme if they meet the following criteria:

  1. Hold UK home student fee status for 2025 entry (details on UK fees status are available from UKCISA)
  2. Identify as:
    1. Black, African, Caribbean or Black British
    2. Asian or Asian British
    3. Belonging to mixed or multiple ethnic groups
  3. Hold or expect to obtain a minimum of a 2.1 undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent qualification

Candidates with a guaranteed interview must also provide full written answers to all questions about research and transferable skills in the application form. Assessment of written answers and interview performance are both considered when awarding studentships (see assessment criteria).

Applicant mentoring

We offer applicants, who meet GIS criteria, an opportunity to apply to our applicant mentoring programme. Applicants who are accepted onto the mentoring programme will receive four mentoring meetings, with a current DTP student with mentor training, during the application process.

  • Meeting one:(early in week of 20 January 2025) A brief pre-application discussion with the mentor
  • Meeting two: (later in week of 20 January 2025) An application writing support session
  • Meeting three: (mid-late February 2025) An interview preparation session
  • Meeting four: (after 14 April 2025) A post application outcome reflection session

To be eligible to receive mentoring, applicants must:

  1. Identify as:
    1. Black, African, Caribbean or Black British
    2. Asian or Asian British
    3. Belonging to mixed or multiple ethnic groups
  2. Hold or expect to obtain a minimum of a 2.1 undergraduate degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent qualification
  3. Hold UK home student fee status for 2025 entry (details on UK fees status are available from UKCISA)

Priority will be given to applicants who meet the above criteria and also identify with one of the following:

  • Have ever been in receipt of free school meals
  • Are the first in their family to attend higher education
  • Have completed/are completing their undergraduate studies at a non-Russell Group university

How to request a mentor

If you are eligible to apply to the guaranteed interview scheme and would like to meet with a mentor, please complete the personal details and equality diversity and inclusion sections of the online application form. You must do this before 09.00 (GMT) on Friday 17 January 2025.

If you are eligible for the scheme, we will contact you shortly after 20 January with details of your proposed mentor. Please note: We will only share your name and email address with mentors. Other personal information will be kept confidential and used by the DTP office if we need to prioritise applications according to the eligibility scheme criteria.
Please do not request a mentor after the closing date for this scheme (09:00 on 17 January 2025). We will not be able to assign you a mentor after this date.

Part time registration

Our studentships are offered on a part time basis in addition to full time registration. The minimum registration is 50% FT and the studentship end date and stipend payments will be amended to reflect the part-time registration. We recommend that if part-time studentships are combined with paid employment, the combined time commitment does not exceed 48 hours per week. Candidates who are awarded a studentship, and wish to register part time, must discuss arrangements with the project supervisor and DTP office before enrolment.

Please go to the end of the project summary table to read important information about applicant eligibility and our selection process. It is essential that you read this before you apply for a studentship

Projects

Available projects are listed below; they are grouped by research areas (stated in the left hand column). Selecting a highlighted project title will take you to an advert with more details of the project. All projects details will be added by 19 December 2024.

Research area Project number Project title Lead Supervisor / University Co-Supervisor / University
Biotechnology for health FBS25-60-Adams-ab SALTernatives from seaweed: salt reduction in foods through seaweed extracts Jessica Adams, Aberystwyth University Ximena Schmidt, Brunel University
Biotechnology for health FBS25-56-Cramer-ra TB or not TB – developing the next generation technology for rapid bovine tuberculosis detection Rainer Cramer, University of Reading Amanda Gibson, Aberystwyth University
Combatting antimicrobial resistance FBS25-14-Wheatley-qa Mapping the farmscape of antibiotic resistance: metagenomes, antibiotic resistance genes, and mobile genetic elements Rachel Wheatley, Queen’s University Belfast Arwyn Edwards, Aberystwyth University
Crop health FBS25-30-Whitworth-ac Genome editing enhanced myxobacterial predators for biological control of diverse crop pathogens David Whitworth, Aberystwyth University Zoltan Kevei, Cranfield University
Farmed animal health and welfare FBS25-78-Bamford-qs VIROWORM: Characterising the Interplay between Parasitic Nematodes, Viruses and their Hosts Connor Bamford, Queen’s University Belfast Martha Betson, University of Surrey
Farmed animal health and welfare FBS25-65-Gibson-as Unravelling Bovine Tuberculosis: Novel Biomarker Discovery and Host-Pathogen Interaction Insights through Transcriptomic Analysis Amanda Gibson, Aberystwyth University Suzie Hingley-Wilson, University of Surrey
Farmed animal health and welfare FBS25-35-Dutta-sq AI Powered Multi-modal Approaches for Animal Behaviour Analysis and Welfare Monitoring using Unannotated Data Anjan Dutta, University of Surrey Ilias Kyriazakis, Queen’s University Belfast
Farmed animal health and welfare FBS25-52-Wilcockson-al Chronobiological changes in behaviour, development and immunity of salmon lice larvae (ChronoLice) David Wilcockson, Aberystwyth University Sheena Cotter, University of Lincoln
Farmed animal health and welfare FBS25-02-Prada-sq Future-proofing livestock health by quantifying the burden of disease and benefits of sustainable interventions Joaquin Prada, University of Surrey Eric Morgan, Queen’s University Belfast
Farmed animal health and welfare FBS25-68-Morphew-aq Protein-protein interactions for control of the ruminant parasite the liver fluke Russ Morphew, Aberystwyth University Aaron Maule, Queen’s University Belfast
Food safety (microbial) FBS25-21-Troisi-bs Antimicrobial Resistant Genes (ARG) & Pollutants – from Seabed to Seafood Platter Gera Troisi, Brunel University Roberto La Ragione, University of Surrey
Food safety (other) FBS25-36-Anastasiadi-cq From hive to home: A holistic approach to honey authentication Maria Anastasiadi, Cranfield University Katrina Campbell, Queen’s University Belfast
Food safety (other) FBS25-63-Felipe-Sotelo-sr Translocation pathways of gadolinium from wastewater into the food chain: accumulation, distribution and speciation in crops Monica Felipe-Sotelo Tom Sizmur, University of Reading
Lifelong health FBS25-15-Tocmo-rq Designing next-generation plant-dairy hybrid ingredients to support gut health and immunity Restituto Tocmo, University of Reading Qiaozhu Su, Queen’s University Belfast
Nutrition FBS25-20-Elliott-sr Beyond bone health: How does vitamin D protect our DNA? Ruan Elliott, University of Surrey Marcus Tindall, University of Reading
Nutrition FBS25-70-Ozen-rs Exploring the sensory and appetite-regulating potential of edible insects in adults with obesity Ezgi Ozen, University of Reading

 

 Ralph Manders, University of Surrey
One health FBS25-82-McVeigh-qa Validating circulating biomarkers for liver fluke diagnostics Paul McVeigh, Queen’s University Belfast Russ Morphew, Aberystwyth University
Precision agriculture and smart technologies FBS25-25-Doonan-ac  AI-mazing Agriculture: Mitigating Seasonality Effects in UK Controlled Environments John Doonan, Aberystwyth University Sofia Kourmpetli, Cranfield University
Precision agriculture and smart technologies FBS25-05-Oni-sr AI-Based Acoustic Monitoring in Turkey Poults for Productivity, Health and Welfare Oluwole Oni, University of Surrey Caroline Rymer, University of Reading
Precision agriculture and smart technologies FBS25-73-Parsons-lr Using AI to manage multi-species grassland for livestock farming Simon Parsons, University of Lincoln Zoe Barker, University of Reading
Reducing waste FBS25-17-McCarthy-bc Engineering Bacteria for Enhanced Degradation of Food-Associated Plastic Waste Ronan McCarthy, Brunel University Francis Hassard, Cranfield University
Reducing waste FBS25-76-Rampelos-lc ValueWaste: Revealing the potential of Organo-Mineral Fertilisers to enhance crop productivity, as well as improve soil health and sustainability Leonidas Rempelos, University of Lincoln Ruben Sakrabani, Cranfield University
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-03-KeveiZ-ca Genomic selection to accelerate raspberry breeding Zoltan Kevei, Cranfield University Gancho Slavov, Aberystwyth University
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-24-Edwards-aq Awakening the dormant soil microbiome Arwyn Edwards, Aberystwyth University Rachel Wheatley, Queen’s University Belfast
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-26-Garratt-rc Optimising above and belowground ecosystem services for sustainable crop production Michael Garratt, University of Reading Alice Johnston, Cranfield University
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-34-Larionov-cr Multi-omics analysis of nitrogen metabolism by the soil microbial community Alexey Larionov, Cranfield University Tom Sizmur, University of Reading
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-37-Oyama-qa Exploring the North Ronaldsay Sheep Microbiome: Unlocking Enzymes for Sustainable Agriculture and Biotechnology Linda Oyama, Queen’s University Belfast Jessica Adams, Aberystwyth University
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-39-Harrison-rc Application of an optimality-based crop model to predict future cereal yields Sandy Harrison, University of Reading Paul Burgess, Cranfield University
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-41-Sakrabani-cq Evaluating suitability of graphitic carbon from methane cracking to improve soil nutrient retention for crop uptake Ruben Sakrabani, Cranfield University Deepak Kumaresan, Queen’s University Belfast
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-74-Kirk-cr Antimicrobial Resistant Genes (ARG) & Pollutants – from Seabed to Seafood Platter Guy Kirk, Cranfield University John Hammond, University of Reading
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-49-Stergiadis-rq AI-based discovery of methane mitigation additives for ruminants Sokratis Stergiadis, University of Reading Katerina Theodoridou, Queen’s University Belfast
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-57-Lukac-rs Novel pathways to transition complex supply chains to regenerative agriculture Martin Lukac, University of Reading Stelvia Matos, University of Surrey
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-71-Williams-qr Biochar Interventions to Improve Soil Health Under Oil Palm : Ensuring Agronomic and Environmental Sustainability of the Fastest Expanding Equatorial Crop Paul Williams, Queen’s University Belfast Tom Sizmur, Queen’s University Belfast
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-42-Shaw-rc Beyond nitrogen and the nodule: How rhizobial trait diversity enhances crops, soil and environmental health Liz Shaw, University of Reading Mark Pawlett, Cranfield University
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-50-Theodoridou-qr Climate-Friendly Beef: Long-Term Assessment of Methane Inhibitors Katerina Theodoridou, Queen’s University Belfast Sokratis Stergiadis, University of Reading
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-69-Wright-qr Rethinking Animal Farming for Healthy Diets and a Healthy Planet David Wright, Queen’s University Belfast Julie Lovegrove, University of Reading
Sustainable agricultural systems FBS25-81-Lloyd-ac Decoding Heat Tolerance At Flowering: Using Multi-omics Approaches to Unlock Crop Resilience Andrew Lloyd, Aberystwyth University Fady Mohareb, Cranfield University
Understanding and exploiting genomics FBS25-45-Stephens-ra A receptor-ligand module with practical applications to improve food production Gary Stephens, University of Reading Maurice Bosch, Aberystwyth University

Before you decide to apply, please read the following important information about the application process:

Academic Eligibility

An upper 2nd class degree (or equivalent) is required in a subject appropriate to the PhD projects applied for (see the project description for more information). Candidates with a lower class of Bachelors degree, but a good performance at the Masters level (merit or above) will also be considered.

If you have an international qualification, please check the degree course eligibility  information provided by the host universities before you apply to the DTP: Aberystswyth University,  Brunel University, Cranfield University, University of Lincoln,  Queen’s University Belfast, University of Reading, University of Surrey.

Funding Eligibility 

Home student applicants

The majority of our funding (minimum 70%) is available to students with UK/home fees status. To be classed as a home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK or Irish National (meeting residency requirements), or
  • Have settled status in the UK (applicants from EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein only), or
  • Have pre-settled status in the UK and meet residency requirements (applicants from EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein only) or
  • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

For further information about eligibility for UK home fees status please see:
For studentships in England (Brunel, Cranfield, Reading, Surrey): https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/eligibility-for-home-fee-status-and-student-support-in-england/
For studentships in Belfast: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/eligibility-for-home-fee-status-and-student-support-in-northern-ireland/
For studentships at Aberystwyth: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/eligibility-for-home-fee-status-and-student-support-in-wales/

International student applicants

We welcome applications from international students (any applicant who does not meet home fees eligibility criteria) and we receive many excellent applications each year. However, UKRI funding conditions mean that the DTP can only offer a maximum of 30% of the total number of studentships to international students.

Fees for International Students funded by FoodBioSystems DTP

We anticipate that DTP partner universities will be covering the difference in the UK/Republic of Ireland fees and international fees for international UKRI funded students: Aberystwyth University, Brunel University, Cranfield University, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Reading and University of Surrey. For further information on this, please refer to the individual university websites.

Further funding eligibility information

Funding for PhD studentships from BBSRC is only available to successful candidates who meet the eligibility criteria set out in the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) harmonized training terms and conditions which you can find here. Offers of studentships to successful candidates will be conditional on acceptance onto PhD programmes as home fees students at the host universities.

Language Proficiency

Candidates must show the necessary levels of English proficiency required by the university that will be hosting the PhD Studentship (the university where the project lead supervisor works). If you have completed a degree or higher degree in a course that was taught in English this may be sufficient evidence of your language proficiency. Please check the relevant university website for further details. If the website does not provide the information you are looking for, please contact the relevant university admissions office.
Aberystwyth University, Brunel University, Cranfield University,  University of Lincoln, Queen’s University Belfast, University of Reading, and University of Surrey.

Previous applicant success rates

Success rates for home and international student applicants to the DTP (2021-24) are outlined below:

Cohort

Number of international student applicants

% international applicants awarded a studentship Number of home student applicants %  home student applicants awarded a studentship
2021 467 1.3% 148 13.5%
2022 501 1.4% 86 23%
2023 774 0.9% 90 26%
2024 1176 0.9% 87 24%

How we select students

Applications received before the closing date and time are considered in two stages:

Shortlisting

Applications are checked for academic and funding eligibility. Eligible applications are anonymised and then considered by the PhD project supervisors. They mark the application answers against the assessment criteria. At this stage supervisors do not know the name, contact details or degree-awarding university of applicants. The four highest scoring candidates for each project will be invited to interview.

Interviews and selection panel assessment

Interviews

If your application is shortlisted you will receive an invitation to an online interview (on Skype, Teams or Zoom). As part of the interview, you will be asked to give a short research presentation (maximum five minutes) followed by five minutes for questions about the presentation. Additional questions will explore:

    • Your motivation to do a PhD with the FoodBioSystems DTP
    • How your skills and experience prepare you for the specific project
    • Other questions about potential impact of the proposed research project, problem-solving skills, and how a PhD fits into your career plans

Selection panel assessment

If you are selected for an interview, a panel of reviewers from the DTP Selection Committee will also assess the written answers from your application form. They will not know your name, contact details or degree-awarding university at this stage.

Assessment criteria

We ask applicants to provide information about their academic qualifications, research experience and transferable skills/competencies. It is essential that all applicants (including those applying for a guaranteed interview) provide full answers in their written application, as these are assessed at least once during the selection process.

The table below shows what essential criteria the DTP is looking for in our PhD student candidates and where in the selection process we assess those criteria.

Essential Selection Criteria Stage Assessed
  Shortlisting Interview Selection Panel review of application form answers
Suitability of academic qualifications and background for the project x x
Academic and technical understanding of a research topic presented during the interview x
Suitability of project specific research experience and technical skills x x
Suitability of general research experience and technical skills for doing a FoodBioSystems DTP PhD x x
Ability to relate own skills to the proposed PhD project x x
Transferable skills/competencies (organisation, problem solving, team-working, and interpersonal/communication) x x x
Understanding of the proposed PhD project in context of the UK agri-food sector x
Motivation for undertaking PhD research with the FoodBioSystems DTP x
Awareness of how the PhD project fits into own career plans x

The selection panel will make the final decision on project allocation, considering applicants’ performance at interview and reviewer assessments of written answers.

Timetable for applications and selection

Action Date
Projects advertised on FoodBioSystems website Thursday 19 December 2024
Online application system opens Friday 20 December 2024
Closing date for requesting a mentor (eligible applicants only) Friday 17 January 2025 (09:00 GMT)
Closing date for student applications Monday 3 February 2025 (10:00 GMT)
Student interview window (project supervisors will contact shortlisted candidates by the end of February) 10 – 21 March 2025
Candidates not shortlisted notified by email 6 March 2025
Award/rejection letters sent to shortlisted applicants 11 April 2025