PhD Studentship: BBSRC-DLA Standard Studentship Programme

Area

Biosciences

Location

UK Other

Closing Date

Sunday 17 May 2026

Reference

SCI3067

PhD studentships with the Nottingham BBSRC DLA Programme

Up to 30 fully funded, four year PhD studentships are available in the biosciences. Join us to elevate your career, conducting transformative research in one of three priority themes. Start date September 2026.

About

Thanks to £14m of funding awarded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University are offering fully funded innovative four-year cohort-based training in frontier science.

Postgraduate researchers will be recruited to a research cluster within each of the overarching research areas :

Alternative and Emerging Protein sources for Sustainable food and feed (Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security) - Cluster lead – Cluster lead Professor John Brameld RIC@N-DLA: Multiscale RNA Science from mechanisms to applications (Bioscience for Human Health) – Cluster lead Dr Federico Dajas-Bailador Future Genomes Across Life – Engineering biology for sustainability and innovation (Biotechnology for Sustainable Growth) – Cluster lead Professor Thorsten Allers

Standard Programme Overview

You will work alongside your cluster peers for the first ten weeks of your studies. During this time, you will receive cluster specific training and conduct lab rotations before being supported to choose your research project.

Year two to four you will conduct your PhD, as with a standard award. In your third year you will undertake a three month professional internment placement.

Throughout the programme you will have access to tailored training, an annual spring conference and cohort development activities.

CASE Programme

Please note, we also offer a CASE (Collaborative Awards in Science and Engineering) programme. This offers students the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research alongside an industry CASE partner.

Requirements

Applications are invited from candidates with backgrounds in Bioscience, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Chemical/Biochemical/Process Engineering, Environmental Science, Pharmacy, Computer Science, Maths or related disciplines who have/expect to graduate with a first/upper-second UK honours degree, or equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK.

Applications are also welcome from candidates with a 2:2 undergraduate degree or lower, who hold a Masters degree in a relevant area or three or more years of full-time work experience relevant to your undergraduate degree, or to the PhD projects you are applying for.

The Standard Programme is open only to those with home fee status.

Funding details

Funding is available for four years from October 2026. The award covers tuition fees at the UK rate, plus an annual stipend. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend is tax free and is set at £21,805 for 2026/27 entry.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Nottingham BBSRC DLA is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion in its recruitment practices and throughout the delivery of our PhD programme. For 2026 recruitment, we are operating a Guaranteed Interview Scheme for applicants from Black and Black mixed backgrounds who hold home fee status.

How To Apply

Closing date: 11.59 pm on Sunday 17 May 2026

If you have any questions about the application process, please email bb-bbdtp@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk.

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