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.
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.
Research Clusters
* Alternative and Emerging Protein sources for Sustainable food and feed (Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security) – 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 internship 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 or 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 their undergraduate degree, or to the PhD projects they 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.
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