About the Project
Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership
The Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership (MIBTP) is a BBSRC funded Doctoral Training Partnership between Coventry University, the University of Warwick, the University of Birmingham, the University of Leicester, Aston University and Harper Adams University.
Students from a wide diversity of academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Projects are available for excellent students in our Research Centre for Discoveries in Life Sciences.
Project Outline
Rare earth elements are essential for renewable energy, electric vehicles and electronics, but their supply is concentrated in a small number of countries while conventional extraction can have substantial environmental impacts. Recovering these materials from electronic waste could reduce dependence on primary mining and support a circular economy.
Bioleaching uses microorganisms to release metals from solid materials through biologically produced chemicals. It can reduce energy and chemical requirements, but its application to rare earth elements remains underdeveloped. Industrial yeasts such as Yarrowia lipolytica and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are promising because they can produce organic acids that dissolve metals and may tolerate metal-rich conditions.
This project will develop an engineered yeast-based process for recovering rare earth elements from electronic waste. It will test whether increasing production of selected organic acids, alongside improved metal tolerance and process optimisation, can enhance recovery while reducing environmental impacts.
The research will screen yeast strains and fermentation conditions, using renewable substrates, to maximise organic acid production. Metabolic engineering and multi-omics analysis will identify and modify pathways controlling acid production, by-product formation and metal tolerance. Engineered strains will then be evaluated for direct and indirect bioleaching, with operating conditions optimised to improve recovery and selectivity. Downstream separation will also be investigated. Finally, life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis will compare the environmental and economic performance of the developed process with conventional approaches.
The project will provide insight into yeast metabolism for metal recovery and establish a platform for sustainable rare earth recovery. The findings could support circular use of critical raw materials and UK ambitions for resource security and net zero.
Studentship details
As an MIBTP Scholar you will join a comprehensive Training Programme that runs concurrently with your PhD.
- Full tuition fees (at UK rate)*
- A tax free annual stipend (currently £21,805 in academic year 2026-27)
- A travel/conference budget
- A generous consumables budget
- Use of a MacBook Pro for the duration of the programme.
*Coventry University will fund the difference between the UK tuition fee rate and the international tuition fee rate.
Entry criteria
- Minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average
- An adequate proficiency in English must be demonstrated by applicants whose first language is not English. The general requirement is a minimum overall IELTS Academic score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each of the four sections, or the TOEFL iBT test with a minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 21 in each of the four sections.
Find out more about Coventry University's entry criteria.
More information
In order to apply for a Midlands Integrative Biosciences Training Partnership PhD you must:
Check your eligibility.
- Complete the ED&I form, which also acts as an expression of interest in MIBTP and helps us monitor our ED&I commitments at every step of the application process
- Our academic directors and the shortlisting panel do not have access to the EDI form and will not see your EDI responses
- Complete an application form
- Review the MIBTP Data Privacy PolicyLink to understand how we process your personal data.
To find out more information, contact Katie.Choudhry@coventry.ac.uk for administrative questions.
Visit the frequently asked questions page.
Funding Notes
Tuition Fees and stipend