Programme information for prospective students 

The programme is only open to UK (home) candidates. Applicants must have, or expect to gain, at least an upper second class Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant area of biological, chemical or physical science, or mathematics. 

We are looking for graduates who are passionate about plant engineering biology and keen to develop their research and innovation skills to tackle global challenges.

Plant BioDesign is committed to recruiting future engineering biologists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to help grow the UK’s capability in engineering biology.

This programme offers 4 year PhD studentships. You will be enrolled at one of the participating institutions and your PhD thesis must be completed within the 4 year period.  Registration location will be dependent on the location of the primary supervisor of each individual project. You will be registered at either the University of York, University of Cambridge, University of Bristol or Univeristy of East Anglia (the degree-awarding institution for the John Innes Centre). 

You must adhere to the host University's regulations, policies, and guidance regarding research degree programmes. 

Projects will be advertised on our Research projects page, partner institution webpages and on findaphd.com in late October/early November 2026. The application deadline will be mid January, with interviews in late February/early March. Successful applicants will start in September/October 2027. 

Plant BioDesign studentships provide the standard UKRI annual stipend of ~£21,000 plus tuition fees and a research and training support grant.  

Plant BioDesign is part of the TechExpert pilot providing PGRs entering the programme in 2026 with an enhanced annual stipend of £31,000. PGRs will participate in up to 10 days per year of TechExpert activities including outreach to promote tech careers, networking with the TechFirst community and engagement with the tech industry. The aim of the TechExpert pilot is to strengthen the UK’s innovation pipeline and build a more inclusive, resilient and high-impact research ecosystem.