PhD Opportunities in Food, Agriculture, and Nutrition – FoodBioSystems DTP (UK) University of Reading in United Kingdom

The FoodBioSystems Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is now accepting applications for PhD opportunities in food, agriculture, and nutrition. This competitive program offers 40 salaried PhD projects spanning the entire food chain, including research areas such as farmed animal health and welfare, food safety, lifelong health, human nutrition, one health, precision agriculture, smart technologies, reducing waste, sustainable agricultural systems, and genomics. The DTP is a collaboration among leading UK universities, including the University of Reading, Aberystwyth University, Brunel University, Cranfield University, University of Lincoln, Queen’s University Belfast, and University of Surrey.

Successful candidates will join a four-year, fully funded program starting in autumn 2026. The studentship includes a tax-free stipend (set at £20,780 per year, or £22,780 at Brunel University), research costs, and tuition fees at the Home/Republic of Ireland rate. International students at the University of Reading must pay the difference between international and Home/RoI fees, currently about £16,000–£19,000 per year, while other partner universities do not charge international rate fees. Visa, healthcare surcharge, and relocation costs are not covered by the DTP funding.

Applicants should have a strong academic background in a relevant scientific discipline such as food science, agriculture, nutrition, biology, or related fields. Required documents include official transcripts, evidence of English proficiency (if applicable), and a referee's contact for a confidential academic reference. The application process is entirely online, and applicants may apply for up to two PhD projects. Each project is co-supervised across two partner institutions, providing a unique interdisciplinary training experience. The program also includes a cohort-based training curriculum and a three-month professional internship.

The application portal opens on 16 December 2025 and closes on 26 January 2026 (10:00 GMT). An applicant webinar will be held on 13 January 2026 to provide further information and answer questions. For more details, visit the FoodBioSystems DTP website and review the applicant guidance before applying.

Key research areas include food science, agriculture, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, food safety, animal health, genomics, precision agriculture, one health, and lifelong health. This is an excellent opportunity for motivated students interested in advancing research across the food system and contributing to global challenges in food security and sustainability.