AI Optimisation of Side Stream Utilisation for Microbial Protein Production

One scholarship is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition in 2025.

<p paraeid="{7f726f69-9239-4b2c-8dcf-010c5742e061}{67}" paraid="1710035833">This PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in a range of fields relating to Food Science, Bioprocessing, Alternative Proteins and Data Analytics and is aligned to a currently funded BBSRC AI for Bioscience partnership with CSIRO (<a href="https://www.csiro.au/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australian Government - CSIRO</a>) in Australia.  </p> <p paraeid="{7f726f69-9239-4b2c-8dcf-010c5742e061}{88}" paraid="1329414068">Global demand for animal-sourced protein is projected to double by 2050. Complementary protein sources with enhanced sustainability are needed to ensure global protein security while reducing environmental pressures such as deforestation driven by livestock farming. Microbial fermentation can produce high protein biomass as well as animal protein equivalents via precision fermentation. However, producing microbial protein using agri-food side stream substrates (such as brewers’ spent grain, bread waste, and excess horticultural crops) opposed to high sugar crops would improve the economic and environmental viability of the process. </p> <p paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{39}" paraid="736576761">This project will combine AI and metabolic modelling to develop scientific understanding about how microbes use these alternative substrates. This will be used to predict protein yields from using different substrates, microbe strains, and fermentation conditions. From this, new knowledge will be generated about the most promising agri-food side streams for microbial protein production based on economic and environmental metrics. The use of advanced sensing techniques (e.g., ultrasonic sensors, near-infrared spectroscopy, or computer vision) will be explored to further improve protein production on these complex substrates by characterising side streams and monitoring fermentation processes.  </p> <p paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{67}" paraid="1422642382">Specifically, this project will include:  </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{67}" paraid="1422642382">Creating datasets via experimental laboratory data and previously published results in literature.  </li> <li paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{67}" paraid="1422642382">Combining machine learning with metabolic modelling and microbial growth parameters.  </li> <li paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{67}" paraid="1422642382">Determination of economic and environmental metrics to evaluate processes.  </li> <li paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{67}" paraid="1422642382">Sensor data collection.  </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{123}" paraid="1346311815">Information about the Award </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{123}" paraid="1346311815">We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant of £20,780 per year and UK tuition fees for four years, subject to satisfactory progress.</li> </ul> <p paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{123}" paraid="1346311815">Duration of the Award</p> <ul> <li paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{123}" paraid="1346311815">Full-time (4 years). The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</li> </ul> <p paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{123}" paraid="1346311815">Other conditions</p> <ul> <li paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{123}" paraid="1346311815">Applicants must not already have been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Award must be taken up by 1^st October 2025</li> <li paraeid="{18f35b1a-84e2-414e-8746-a3976feb04f6}{123}" paraid="1346311815">Applicants must live within a reasonable distance to the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website.</a> </p> <ul> <li>You will need to create a login ID with a username and pin password. </li> <li>For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. </li> <li>The admission year for this project is 2025/2026 Academic Year.</li> <li>You will need to select your ‘Planned Course of Study’ from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select ‘PhD Food Science and Nutrition Full-time’</li> <li>The project start date for this project is 1^st October 2025, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research</li> <li><strong>Please state clearly</strong> in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <strong><em>AI Optimisation of Side Stream Utilisation for Microbial Protein Production</em></strong> as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/staff/12297/professor-nicholas-watson">Professor Nicholas Watson</a> as your proposed supervisor.</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition are expected to hold a bachelor degree in a relevant subject (2.1 or above or equivalent) or a good honours degree together with a Master's degree. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions Team prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>One scholarship is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition in 2025. This scholarship is open to UK applicants and covers UK tuition fees, plus £20,780 per year for four years, subject to satisfactory progress.</p> <p>Please note, this opportunity is only fully funded for applicants with UK (Home) fee status. We must confirm the correct residency status to the government for all our students. A student’s residency can be deemed either home (UK) or overseas. Your residency status determines whether you are eligible for home (UK) or international fees.</p>

<p>For further information please contact the Post Graduate Research Admissons Team by emailing: <a href="mailto:env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk">ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p>