PhD Studentship: Empowering Green Seaweeds as Beneficial Health Products

Overview

A four-year PhD studentship is available through the Norwich Research Park Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership in collaboration with industrial CASE partner Central Pharma Biotechnica. The research focuses on green Ulva seaweeds, examining their health-promoting sulfur compounds and polysaccharides, active metabolites, and effects on the gut microbiome and health. The successful candidate will receive multidisciplinary training in an award-winning environment, engaging with industry to support seaweed industry innovation and commercialisation pathways, including an industrial placement at Biotechnica. The student will be based at QIB, the University of East Anglia, and Biotechnica.

Who can apply

Applicants should be motivated, proactive, and independent students who are eager to master a broad range of techniques. While prior experience in relevant areas is desirable, the project provides comprehensive training across multiple scientific disciplines.

What you get

The studentship covers the payment of tuition fees directly to the university and provides a living expenses stipend at the 2026/27 rate of £21,805 per annum. Additionally, a Research Training Support Grant of £5,000 per year is included for each year of the studentship. The position involves training in advanced metabolomics, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, colon models, multiomics, bioinformatics, cell and organoid biology, molecular microbiology, functional genomics, scientific writing, and intellectual property protection, alongside opportunities to present at conferences and publish findings.

Requirements

Candidates are expected to be motivated and independent learners ready to engage in complex laboratory methods, analytical chemistry, cell biology, and industrial collaboration.

Key dates

The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 2026-11-30.