Department of Plant Sciences

The research MPhil degree essentially follows the PhD format but is compressed into one year (full-time) or two years (part-time). The work consists of research and courses as required under academic supervision. Applicants should contact a potential supervisor before proceeding with their MPhil application. You can browse the personal/group pages of the Research Group Leaders to check the details of their research.

Plant Biosystems Design is jointly administered by the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge and York, and the John Innes Centre. It aims to catalyse interdisciplinary partnerships and drive innovation in the application of engineering principles to plant biology and biotechnology. Research projects will develop knowledge, talent and technologies to provide sustainable access to plant products, optimise crop performance and drive novel applications of plants through rational engineering. The interdisciplinary nature and focus of the course align to the UK’s National Engineering Biology Programme. We offer two types of studentships: standard and iCASE. Standard studentships are supervised by academic researchers while iCASE studentships are co-supervised by an Industrial Partner. All students must undertake a placement which lasts a minimum of three months. This placement does not need to occur in one single continuous period. iCASE students must undertake a placement with their Industrial Partner for a minimum of three months.

A PhD in Plant Biosystems Design takes four years of full-time study to complete (or equivalent part-time) and consists of research and training courses under academic supervision. All students will attend an annual three-day residential training retreat. Students will develop a deep theoretical and practical understanding through research into aspects of Engineering Biology in plant cells and systems, augmented by training courses delivered within the University of Cambridge’s School of Biological Sciences, or in cohort training delivered by Universities of Bristol, York and the John Innes Centre. Students will be trained to apply the engineering principles of problem-driven research, standardisation, and iterative design-build-test-learn processes that incorporate simulations and modelling. Training will include computational modelling, data science, genetic logic and circuit design, protein design, entrepreneurship, and responsible innovation. These specialist training will be underpinned by training in data-management, statistics, personal development, project management, research integrity, health and safety, wellbeing, writing a thesis, and how to give effective scientific presentations.

Full-time PhD students must submit a thesis for examination by the end of their fourth year of study.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the University's principal research degree. A full-time PhD in Plant Sciences takes three to four years of full-time study to complete (or four to seven years part-time) and consists of research and courses, as required, under academic supervision. Applicants should contact and gain approval from a potential Supervisor before proceeding with their PhD application. You can browse the personal/group pages of the Research Group Leaders to check the details of their research. Part-time study may not be viable, depending on the project, and will be considered on a case-by-case basis, so please discuss this option with your proposed Supervisor before applying for this mode of study.