[PhD by Enterprise FSE] Biotech-enabled lures for sustainable food production

About the Project

Volatile lures are a growing area in sustainable agriculture. The lures use specific scents, collectively referred to as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The VOCs can act as bait for insect larvae that feed on crops, or they can attract creatures that eat these larvae. The lures reduce or eliminate the need for the application of pesticides. These pesticides are not only increasingly regulated, but also the targeted organisms have grown more resistant to them. Existing volatile lures fall short because the active components are affected by environmental conditions (e.g., oxygen, intense sunlight) and the release rate is non-linear (i.e., too high at the start of application, too low at the end). This project aims to create the next generation of lures. The project builds on research from an established team of researchers working in industrial biotechnology, the role of volatiles in agriculture, and materials chemistry.

The project involves encapsulation chemistry, analytical chemistry, biotransformations, field studies, and market research. The expectation of the project is translation of these ideas into the marketplace to create real-world economic and social impact by making crop production less reliant on pesticide application.

Applicants are expected to hold (or about to obtain) a minimum upper second-class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field including, but not limited to, materials science, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, or biochemistry. Research experience in surface analysis, mass spectrometry, enzyme engineering, or bioprocessing is desirable, but not required.

To apply for this project please select PhD Enterpise (FSE).

FSE_Enterprise

Funding Notes

Fully funded studentships are available to start in 2026/27 and provide the following:

• Funding at the UKRI stipend rate, £21,805
• Tuition fees
• Up to £20,000 RTSG per studentship, depending on the research project
• Additional support for entrepreneurship training and customer discovery activities
• Visa and immigration costs reimbursed for successful international PGRs