BBSRC CTP: The Surface Chemistry of Snacks: Uncovering Adhesion Mechanisms Using Advanced Microscopy

One full scholarship for four years is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition and the Bragg Centre for Materials Research in 2025/26. This scholarship is open to UK and international applicants and covers full tuition fees plus £20,780 (2025/26 rate) maintenance per year.<br /> <br /> The award is open to full-time or part-time candidates who have been offered a place on a PhD degree at the School of Food Science and Nutrition and in collaboration with PepsiCo as part of the BBSRC Food Consortium Collaborative Training Partnership (providing additional cohort training activities). <br /> <br /> International applicants: please note that any costs associated with your arrival at the University of Leeds to start your PhD, including flights, visa costs, Immigration Health Surcharge and medical insurance are not covered under this studentship.

<p>This fully funded PhD scholarship provides an exciting opportunity to pursue multi-disciplinary postgraduate research at the nexus of Food Science, Physical Chemistry, Advanced Microscopy 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 </a>Partnership. </p> <p>This project aims to uncover fundamental insights into adhesive interactions by exploring the dynamic behaviour of particles and droplets during collisions with soft surfaces. One of the primary focal points is the development of experimental methodologies to investigate these poorly understood phenomena. The insights generated will be applied to a diverse range of fields, including food science and biomaterials (e.g., spray coatings). </p> <p>The methodology will integrate three core domains. At the nanoscale, dynamic surface and adhesive forces will be examined using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and FluidFM, combined with Confocal Detection. High-speed dynamic interactions will be studied through fluorescence spectroscopy and high-frame-rate microscopy to capture collision dynamics in real time. Application-oriented research questions will be further explored using COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. </p> <p>The central research hypothesis of this project is that the interplay between the timescales of droplet deformation and the mechanical response of soft solid surfaces governs adhesion efficiency. This knowledge aims to enhance deposition performance while reducing material waste. The expected outcomes include the development of novel experimental methodologies for characterising mechanical and adhesive interactions. Specifically, this research seeks to provide insight into the timescales and deformation dynamics that govern particle behaviour on soft substrates, ultimately contributing to a predictive framework for optimising deposition processes.</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 admissions year for this project is 2025/26 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 start date for this project is 1^st October 2025, please use this as your ‘Proposed Start Date of Research’.</li> <li><strong>Please clearly state in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em>BBSRC CTP: The Surface Chemistry of Snacks: Uncovering Adhesion Mechanisms Using Advanced Microscopy</em> as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/staff/12935/professor-gleb-yakubov">Professor Gleb Yakubov</a> as your proposed supervisor.</strong></li> </ul> <p>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. You will also need to provide the following documents:</p> <ul> <li>certificates and transcripts of any academic qualifications</li> <li>English language qualification certificates, if applicable</li> <li>a copy of your CV</li> <li>visa and immigration documents, if applicable</li> </ul> <p>More information on how to apply is available on our website <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.</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>

Applicants to research degree programmes should normally have at least a first class or an upper second class British Bachelors Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline. 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 or part-time PhD scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition for one UK or international candidate, covering a maintenance grant of £20,780 per year (2025/26 rate) and full tuition fees for four years, subject to satisfactory progress. </p> <p><strong>Duration of the Award </strong></p> <p>Full-time (4 years) or part-time pro-rata. 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, or part-time equivalent.</p> <p><strong>Other Conditions</strong></p> <ul> <li>Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree.</li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1^st October 2025.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>For further information please contact the Postgraduate Research Admissions Team by emailing <a href="mailto:ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk</a> or Prof Gleb Yakubov (<a href="http://G.Yakubov@leeds.ac.uk">G.Yakubov@leeds.ac.uk</a>).</p>