Plant Protein Processing and Digestibility for Sustainable Animal Nutrition

One full-time PhD scholarship is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds, commencing in February 2027. The studentship is associated with PROFEED (Progressive Solutions for European Feed Autonomy through Sustainable Plant Protein Value Chains), a Horizon Europe research and innovation project. <br /> <br /> The funding covers UK tuition fees as well as a UKRI matched stipend (currently £21,805 in 2026/27).<br /> <br /> International Overseas rated candidates are welcome to apply but would have to pay the difference between UK and International fees. <br /> <br /> For more information on funding eligibility, please see the funding section below.<br />

<p>Europe remains highly dependent on imported protein-rich feed ingredients, particularly soybean meal. Increasing the use of locally grown crops could strengthen feed security, reduce environmental pressures and support more resilient agricultural systems. However, successful adoption requires robust evidence that alternative ingredients deliver appropriate protein quality, digestibility, safety and animal performance.</p> <p>Focusing on the University of Leeds research programme, this PhD will investigate the nutritional and functional quality of European-grown protein crops and the ingredients and feed formulations produced from them. Selected materials, including soybean, lupin, alfalfa and other legumes or forage crops, will be evaluated before and after sustainable processing. The project will use Leeds expertise in plant-protein chemistry, protein quality and in vitro digestion, including an INFOGEST-based model adapted to simulate porcine gastrointestinal digestion.</p> <p>The PhD project involves:</p> <ul> <li>Characterisation of raw and processed protein crops and feed ingredients, including protein content, amino acid composition and relevant techno-functional properties.</li> <li>Quantification of key antinutritional factors, such as tannins, phytic acid, saponins, oligosaccharides and quinolizidine alkaloids, and assess their implications for feed quality.</li> <li>Determination how fractionation, hydrolysis, fermentation, drying and other processing strategies influence protein structure, nutritional quality and antinutritional-factor reduction.</li> <li>Evaluation of protein and feed digestibility using adapted in vitro gastrointestinal models, including protein hydrolysis, amino acid bioaccessibility and digestible indispensable amino acid profiles.</li> <li>Integration of in vitro findings with outcomes from the University of Leeds pig-feeding study, including growth, feed-conversion efficiency, health and carcass-quality indicators, to identify the most promising crop-processing-formulation combinations.</li> <li>Opportunity for involvement in other animal species feed applications i.e. marine through partner in Murcia, Spain.</li> <li>Opportunity for engagement in other consortium-wide project activities.</li> </ul> <p>The successful candidate will receive interdisciplinary training in plant-protein analysis, analytical biochemistry, in vitro digestion, feed science and data interpretation, while contributing to an international programme seeking to reduce reliance on imported soybean meal and accelerate sustainable European feed innovation.</p> <p>In addition to most of the experimental work will be carried out at the University of Leeds, there is involvement of Prof Francisco M Goycoolea, Universidad de Murcia, as external supervisor, providing an opportunity for the student to conduct some of the work at Universidad de Murcia, Spain.</p> <p><strong>Information about the Award</strong></p> <ul> <li>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 £21,805 per year in 2026/27and UK tuition fees for 3.5 years, all subject to satisfactory progress. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Duration of the Award</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full-time (3.5 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><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 1st February 2027.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.</li> </ul>

<p>First, apply for a research place of study, through the <a href="https://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon">online application form.</a> You will be expected to meet our <a href="https://environment.leeds.ac.uk/food-nutrition-research-degrees/doc/entry-requirements-4"> Entry requirements </a> for PHD candidates.</p> <p>To apply for this project you will need to make a formal application for research degree study through the University website. You will need to create a login ID with a username and PIN. </p> <p>•    For Application type please select Research Degrees – Research Postgraduate. <br /> •    The admission year for this project is <strong>2026/27 Academic Year. </strong><br /> •    You will need to select your Planned Course of Study from a drop-down menu. For this project, scroll down and select <strong>PhD Food Science and Nutrition </strong>Full Time. <br /> •    The project start date for this project is 1 February 2027, please use this as your Proposed Start Date of Research. <br /> •    Please state clearly in the Research Information Section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is<strong> Plant Protein Processing and Digestibility for Sustainable Animal Nutrition </strong>as well as <strong>Dr Christine Bosch </strong>and <strong>Dr Alan Javier Hernandez Alvarez </strong>as your proposed supervisors.</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. Within the 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. The criteria for entry for some research degrees may be higher, for example, several faculties, also require a Masters degree. Applicants are advised to check with the relevant School prior to making an application. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact the School or Graduate School prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study 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. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>We are offering a fully funded scholarship, for one UK candidate to study project Plant Protein Processing and Digestibility for Sustainable Animal Nutrition, at the School of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Leeds.</p> <p>The funding covers UK tuition fees as well as a UKRI matched stipend (currently £21,805 in 2026/27), per year, subject to satisfactory progress..</p> <p>International Overseas rated candidates are welcome to apply but would have to pay the difference between UK and International fees.</p> <p>You are classified as either a home or international postgraduate researcher for the purpose of assessing tuition fees. Where your status is not clear from your application, you will enter our fee assessment process.</p> <p>If you are unsure whether you are eligible for UK fees/funding, please see our <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-fees/doc/fee-assessment">fee assessment page.</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"> </p>

<p>For further information about this project please contact Dr Alan Javier Hernandez Alvarez by email to <a href="http://a.j.hernandezalvarez@leeds.ac.uk">a.j.hernandezalvarez@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For further information about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="http://ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk">ENV-PGR@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>