Gatsby Charitable Foundation
1 week ago
Sainsbury PhD Studentships
Prestigious Sainsbury PhD Studentships in Plant Sciences Gatsby Charitable Foundation in United Kingdom
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Agriculture
Funding
Enhanced four-year PhD studentships. Includes an annual stipend above the BBSRC minimum, £5,500 per year for department laboratory fees, £700 per year for books, conferences and travel, tuition fees paid by the Foundation, and up to £3,000 extra for a six-month research placement at another university/institute. Stipend for 2027/28 is £26,212.
Deadline
Jan 4, 2027
Country
United Kingdom
University
Gatsby Charitable Foundation
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About this position
Prestigious Sainsbury PhD Studentships in Plant Sciences are available through the Gatsby Charitable Foundation for a four-year PhD starting in October 2027. The programme supports high-calibre doctoral research in plant sciences, with a strong emphasis on rigorous training, research excellence, and professional development.
Example project themes listed include AI protein design, structural biology, synthetic plant immune receptors, engineering synthetic gene clusters, genetic syntax, and crop protection. Students also benefit from an annual training weekend in Cambridge and the opportunity to spend six months in their third or fourth year at another university or institute to gain additional experience.
The studentships are fully funded: they provide an annual stipend above the BBSRC minimum, a stipend of £26,212 for 2027/28, £5,500 per year for department laboratory fees, £700 per year for books, conferences and travel, and tuition fees paid by the Foundation. An additional up to £3,000 may be claimed to help cover extra expenses during the external placement.
Eligibility highlights include a requirement for a first or upper second class degree before the start of the studentship. Applicants should apply to the supervisor of the project they are interested in, then submit a four-page project proposal, CV, and references by the stated deadline for that project. The final submission deadline mentioned is 4 January 2027, with interviews in London on 8 January 2027.
Funding details
Enhanced four-year PhD studentships. Includes an annual stipend above the BBSRC minimum, £5,500 per year for department laboratory fees, £700 per year for books, conferences and travel, tuition fees paid by the Foundation, and up to £3,000 extra for a six-month research placement at another university/institute. Stipend for 2027/28 is £26,212.
What's required
Applicants should have or expect a first or upper second class degree before the start of the studentship. Candidates must apply to the supervisor of the project they are interested in, and selected candidates will then prepare a four-page project proposal in consultation with the supervisor, plus CV and references. The programme is for PhD study in plant sciences.
How to apply
Apply to the supervisor of the project you are interested in by the project-specific deadline. If selected, submit a four-page project proposal, CV, and references by 4 January 2027. Interviews will be held in London on Friday 8 January 2027.
More information can be found here
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