Smart bioactive materials for sustainable nutrition and crop enhancement: Integrating AI-driven design with functional biopolymers

This interdisciplinary PhD project explores the development of smart bioactive materials that can simultaneously enhance nutritional value in food systems and/or promote plant health in agriculture. The research integrates materials science, machine learning, and nutrition, offering a unique opportunity for candidates from diverse backgrounds to contribute to sustainable innovation.<br /> <br /> The project builds on recent advances in biopolymer-based materials. The PhD student will design and synthesize composite materials using bioactives, optimizing their structure and functionality for dual applications.<br /> A key innovation in this project is the use of machine learning-driven materials informatics. Machine learning models will be employed to predict the relationships between material composition, structure, and performance. This data-driven approach will accelerate the discovery and refinement of formulations, enabling targeted improvements in bioactivity, stability, and scalability. The student will conduct experimental testing to evaluate the materials’ effectiveness in both food and agricultural contexts. This includes assessing nutrient delivery in food matrices and measuring crop growth in controlled environments. The project also includes a sustainability assessment, examining the environmental impact and life-cycle of the developed materials.<br /> This PhD offers broad accessibility to candidates with backgrounds in materials science, chemistry, food science, biotechnology, plant sciences, AI/data science, or chemical/environmental engineering. The outcomes of this research have the potential to contribute to global challenges in food security, sustainable agriculture, and green materials development.

<p><strong>You must contact the proposed supervisor for this project before you make a formal application. </strong></p> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{119}" paraid="1895649428">A formal application for research degree study should then be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University's website</a>. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN: </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{125}" paraid="1717955186">For ‘Application type’ please select ‘Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate’. </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{131}" paraid="1941411394">The admission year for this project is 2026/27 Academic Year.   </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{137}" paraid="1823221166">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 paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{143}" paraid="754352421">The project start date for this project is October 2026, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{149}" paraid="202248598">Please state clearly in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is ‘Smart bioactive materials for sustainable nutrition and crop enhancement: Integrating AI-driven design with functional biopolymers’ as well as <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/staff/11935/dr-wing-fu-lai">Dr Wing-Fu Lai</a> as your proposed supervisor. </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{155}" paraid="812110430">If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below). </p> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{161}" paraid="1891516213">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>. You will need to provide copies of the following documents: </p> <ul> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{172}" paraid="1858125611">a personal statement for this project, which outlines your interest in the project, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project</li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{172}" paraid="1858125611">a research proposal for this project</li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{178}" paraid="877561217">your CV </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{184}" paraid="1448270499">certificates and transcripts of all academic qualifications </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{190}" paraid="932080590">English language qualification certificates </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{196}" paraid="1315959137">visa and immigration documents, if applicable </li> <li paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{202}" paraid="226045984">funding information – sources of funding that you are applying for (e.g. government scholarship), or if you are able to pay your own fees and maintenance  </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{cc558561-e300-45f5-a898-3bd20c9a5968}{208}" paraid="1308150127"><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.

For start dates from September 2026, the minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study in the School of Food Science and Nutrition is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 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.

<p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{143}" paraid="557166827"><strong>This is not a funded project, but you can apply for funding separately. Self-funding students are also welcome to apply. </strong></p> <p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{149}" paraid="1936376053"><strong>Please note that in addition to the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-fees/doc/research-degrees-fees" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">tuition fee</a> for the programme there will also be a <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-fees/doc/postgraduate-research-bench-policy" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">bench fee</a> of £5,000 per year for this project. </strong>  </p> <p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{171}" paraid="1993701339">Funding opportunities for Home students – The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/209-leeds-doctoral-scholarships-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Leeds Doctoral Scholarship</a> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2026" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> are available to UK applicants.  <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. </p> <p paraeid="{3d04e34c-3522-40f3-8630-c6f14cbc41d0}{194}" paraid="629442306">Funding opportunities for International students –The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">China Scholarship Council - University of Leeds Scholarship</a> is available to nationals of China. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds. </p>

<p>For further information regarding the project, please contact Dr Wing-Fu Lai by email (<a href="mailto:W.F.Lai@leeds.ac.uk">W.F.Lai@leeds.ac.uk</a>). You must contact Wing-Fu before making a formal application.</p>