For graduate students interested in studying for a PhD Niab has excellent resources for research in molecular plant science, quantitative genetics, breeding, transgenic technology and plant pathology both at our Cambridge and East Malling sites. The majority of our PhD studentships are funded by grants. Niab also partners with European and overseas universities, hosting international students.

Applications now open for CTP-SAI PhDs starting in October 2025

PhD programmes and opportunities at Niab include:

• South Coast Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SoCoBio DTP) is funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)  and offers a broad,  four year research training programme which provides students with the skills they need to develop into future bioscience leaders in academia or in industry
• CTP for Sustainable Agricultural Innovation (CTP-SAI) - a groundbreaking partnership between leading businesses, charities and research providers to offer outstanding PhD training for the agri-food sector
• CTP for Fruit Crop Research (CTP-FCR) - a pioneering partnership between businesses, research providers and the AHDB will provide a world-class horticultural and bioscience UK research training programme. The programme will address the scientific challenges faced by agri-businesses, from crop production, food quality and supply, through to consumer preference and consumer waste.
• BBSRC Doctoral Training Programme - Niab is a partner in the BBSRC Doctoral Training Programme lead by University of Cambridge and PhD students enrolled in this programme are registered for their PhD at Cambridge University.
• EPSRC - Niab is a partner in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Agri-Food Robotics: AgriFoRwArdS, a collaboration between University of Lincoln, University of Cambridge and University of East Anglia. Niab also supports the EPSRC CDT in Sensor Technologies for a Healthy and Sustainable Future at the University of Cambridge. Find out more about conducting part of a PhD research project at Niab on novel sensor applications in agriculture.
• UK Food Systems Centre for Doctoral Training Programme - Niab is a member of the UKFS-CDT programme, training more than 65 doctoral students from 2021-2027. The UKFS-CDT will create cohorts of future food systems leaders and innovators who can lead the UK towards a resilient, healthy and inclusive food future. It is an innovative way of conducting your PhD centred on co-creation and exposure to a varied range of actors operating in the UK food systems.
• UKFS-DTP - Niab is a partner in the UK Food Systems Centre for Doctoral Training (UKFS-CDT), which provides a unique opportunity for transformative and interdisciplinary food systems research. Led by the Natural Resources Institute of the University of Greenwich, the UKFS-CDT aims to develop the next generation of food system change makers for a healthy and sustainable food future.
• Morley Studentships - The Morley Agricultural Foundation (TMAF) is a charity that supports farming in the East of England by funding agricultural research, student studies, educational programmes for schools and the professional development of farmers and others. Its annually awarded Morley PhD Studentships are highly competitive and come with a stipend and a project budget.