BBSRC CTP: See What You Taste: Flavour Analysis Using Cutting-Edge Imaging Techniques

One full scholarship is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition and the Bragg Centre for Materials Research in 2025/26 to start on 1st September 2025. This scholarship is open to Home applicants and covers UK tuition fees plus £20,780 maintenance per year in 2025/26.

<p>This fully funded PhD scholarship provides an exciting opportunity to pursue multi-disciplinary postgraduate research at the nexus of Food Science, Physical Chemistry, Material Science and Chemical Engineering. This Studentship is a partnership with one of the Global Fast Moving Consumer Goods Companies and is a part of the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/food-consortium-collaborative-training-programme-ctp">BBSRC Food Consortium Collaborative Training Partnership</a>.</p> <p>Chocolate making is one of the most enigmatic and complex processes in food manufacture. With raising concerns around sustainability, climate changes, equitable and fair access to resources, and the need for creating healthier food products, this project tackles fundamental aspects of flavour molecule distribution during processing. Specifically, the project considers complex tribomechanical and tribo-rheological processes that are critical in the chocolate making. Structural transformations during processing are hypothesised to elicit significant changes in flavour distribution, its migration and localisation. Using a novel methodological framework and a suite of analytical and microscopy techniques, this project aims to ascertain flavour localisation during processing. One of the key areas is focused on ascertaining the distribution of flavour compounds in a model food matrix to uncover the dynamic mechanisms of flavour migration. </p> <p>The project will involve research and development of the advanced tribo-rheological and processing techniques, liquid and gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis, stable isotope labelling, focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with 3D tomography based on time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, hyperspectral imaging, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron emission spectroscopy.</p>

<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>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN:</p> <ul> <li>For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. </li> <li>The admission year for this project is 2024/2025 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 1st September 2025, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. </li> <li><strong>Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is ‘BBSRC CTP: See What You Taste: Flavour Analysis Using Cutting-Edge Imaging Techniques’ as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/staff/12935/professor-gleb-yakubov">Prof Gleb Yakubov</a> as your proposed supervisor.</strong></li> </ul> <p>More information on how to apply is available on our website here. You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project. Please ensure you submit your CV and a list of publications (if any) as supporting documents for your application.</p> <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>

The minimum entry requirements for PhD study is a 2.1 honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject, or a good honours degree together with a Masters degree. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the PGR 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><strong>Information about the Award</strong></p> <p>We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition for one candidate, covering UKRI maintenance stipend (£20,780 in 2025/26) and <strong>UK tuition fees</strong> <strong>only </strong>for four years, subject to satisfactory progress. </p> <p><strong>Duration of the Award</strong></p> <p>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.</p> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <p>o    Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.<br /> o    Awards must be taken up by 1st September 2025.<br /> o    Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.<br />  </p>

<p>For further information please contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions team: <a href="mailto:env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk">env-pgr@leeds.ac.uk</a>.</p>