- The University of Sheffield will play a key role in training future Biosciences researchers through three new doctoral training initiatives
- The new initiatives are UK Research and Innovation funded via the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
- At least 25% of studentships will be delivered in collaboration with non-academic partners.
The new initiatives, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), will support the next generation of world-class researchers and help to address critical global challenges.
The overall investment of £564 million will support doctoral students to develop their skills and experience in their respective universities’ areas of strength across the biological sciences, engineering and physical sciences, and natural and environmental sciences.
These skills will prepare them for a diverse range of careers, both in research and innovation and across the public and private sectors. At least 25% of studentships will be delivered in collaboration with non-academic partners.
Winning 3 doctoral training awards is an amazing achievement. They will lay the foundation for future research across the whole of biology, providing outstanding training for the next generation of scientists, helping to ensure that Bioscience at Sheffield retains its leading position in the UK.
Professor Andrew Fleming
Director of ResearchThe University of Sheffield, Faculty of Science
The programmes
BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
The University of Sheffield is a key partner in a newly created Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) being led by the University of Leeds. Launching in 2025, the partnership will train bioscientists to address global challenges including climate change and food security.
The Yorkshire Bioscience DTP will expand the work of the existing White Rose BBSRC DTP, a partnership that brings together research from molecular and cellular bioscience centres at the universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York and additionally support students at the universities of Bradford, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside.
The expansion has been secured by a package of funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), together with additional investment from the partner universities.
The partnership will provide nine doctoral studentships per year to the University of Sheffield over the next five years.
The University of Sheffield will also be a partner in a NERC Doctoral Landscape Award, ACCE+, and lead on a new NERC Focal Award, ECOSOLUTIONS.
NERC: Adapting to the Challenges of a Changing Environment (ACCE+)
ACCE+ brings together the complementary strengths of world-class environmental scientists from the Universities of Sheffield, Liverpool and York, with the unique expertise and resources of the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, the Natural History Museum and the National Oceanography Centre.
Operating across the NERC remit, and working with partners from the public and private sectors, the award will allow training 95 PhD students (30 of which will be in Sheffield) in 5 cohorts. Students will be trained to conduct cutting-edge research into the challenges associated with the nature, causes, and consequences of environmental change.
NERC: ECOSOLUTIONS
ECOSOLUTIONS will train 39 transdisciplinary, solution-focussed PhD students who can apply systems-thinking to facilitate the delivery of a non-toxic UK environment and sustainable chemicals products sector.
Chemicals are essential to society and the chemical industry is a major contributor to the UK economy yet chemicals pose a threat to biodiversity and human health globally and in the UK. To address this challenge a new way of working is needed where chemical impacts on whole systems,now and into the future, are considered and which has a greater focus on management and mitigation.
Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, UKRI Chief Executive, said: “UKRI’s investments in Doctoral Training are pivotal for the UK’s research and innovation endeavour.
“The awards provide funding for Universities across the UK to nurture a cadre of creative, talented people to develop their skills and knowledge, to build partnerships and networks, and to pursue the discoveries that will transform tomorrow, with diverse benefits for society and economic growth.”