BBSRC CTP: Biomimetic Approaches for Enhancing Adhesion in Food Processing

One full scholarship for four years is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition2025/26. 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 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, Biophysics and Material Science. 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 paraeid="{ef15d9ba-9723-4d7d-a743-1e198e5e972a}{195}" paraid="96031047">Plants are a boundless source of inspiration for designing healthier foods and developing novel, minimally processed methods of food processing and manufacture. With growing concerns around sustainability, climate change, waste reduction, and the need to create healthier food products, this project proposes to explore innovative adhesion mechanisms rooted in biomimetic approaches. </p> <p paraeid="{ef15d9ba-9723-4d7d-a743-1e198e5e972a}{211}" paraid="829405659">Specifically, the project focuses on adhesive interactions between textured surfaces and microscopic particles of complex shapes. One of the key areas of investigation is uncovering the dynamic properties of such interactions, with a particular focus on highly porous or highly rough surfaces. It is hypothesised that the mechanical and topological properties of both the particles and the surfaces play a critical role in establishing rapid and robust adhesive contact. The insights and mechanisms generated through this research are expected to support the development of novel food processing methods aimed at producing healthier and more sustainable foods. </p> <p paraeid="{ef15d9ba-9723-4d7d-a743-1e198e5e972a}{225}" paraid="2119589308">The project will involve research and development of advanced food biomaterials, and will utilise cutting-edge characterisation techniques, including Confocal Microscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), as well as Small Angle X-Ray and Neutron Scattering (SAXS and SANS). </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 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: Biomimetic Approaches for Enhancing Adhesion in Food Processing</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 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><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="http://ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk">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>