PhD Studentship: The Oxford Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Training Programme (ILESLA) Oxford Brookes University in United Kingdom

[Full funding: UKRI stipend (£20,780 for 2025/26 plus £2,000), tuition fees, and bench fees covered. Visa and associated costs not funded.]

The Oxford Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Training Programme (ILESLA) at Oxford Brookes University offers a prestigious 4-year, full-time PhD studentship designed for both UK/EU and international applicants. This programme is supported by the BBSRC and NERC through a Landscape Award, with additional support from a partnership that includes the University of Oxford, Pirbright Institute, Diamond Light Source, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, and The Open University.

Students admitted to the programme will benefit from a comprehensive training structure that includes taught interdisciplinary skills, two exploratory research projects in the first year, and a 12-week professional internship to gain valuable work experience. After the initial year, students select a 3-year research project, which must include a supervisor from Oxford Brookes University. Rotation projects are required at both Oxford Brookes and a partner organisation, providing exposure to a wide range of research environments and expertise.

The studentship covers full tuition fees, bench fees, and a generous UKRI stipend (£20,780 for the academic year 2025/26 plus an additional £2,000). Please note that visa and associated costs are not funded. The programme is open to applicants holding or expecting to obtain a UK Bachelor’s Degree with at least a 2:1 classification or overseas equivalent in a relevant academic subject. International applicants must meet English language requirements, including a valid IELTS Academic test certificate with an overall minimum score of 7.5 and no score below 7.0, issued in the last 2 years by an approved test centre.

Applications for 2026 entry are processed through the University of Oxford application system, with a single entry route for all partner institutions. Shortlisted candidates will typically be interviewed once for entry into the programme. The application deadline is 8 January 2026 (12:00 midday UK time), and the programme commences in September 2026. For further details, including Open Day information and application instructions, visit the Oxford Brookes course page or the University of Oxford Graduate Admissions Course Page. General enquiries can be directed to [email protected], and programme-specific queries to Associate Professor Andrew Jones ([email protected]) or Professor Verena Kriechbaumer ([email protected]).

This studentship is ideal for candidates seeking advanced interdisciplinary training in life and environmental sciences, with opportunities to collaborate across leading UK research institutions and gain professional experience through internships and rotation projects.