Postgraduate Research Opportunities

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Our research and associated education and engagement are in two broad themes – Food System Transformation; and Healthy People, Healthy Planet - and especially the interactions between them​​​​​. 

Our research

Improving the effectiveness and sustainability of agri-food systems is vital to tackling the challenges of global population growth, rapid urbanisation, food and environmental security, and diet and health. These challenges occur in low and middle income countries, as well as more industrialised nations. Achieving sustainable, healthy diets underpins many of the Sustainable Development Goals – especially those concerned with hunger, poverty, health, gender equality, responsible consumption and production, and climate action.

We welcome applicants whose research interests are aligned to address one or more of these challenges, and who hold the potential to develop and translate scientific advances into policy and practice. Most of our research is interdisciplinary in its approach, and we collaborate with other Schools and groups across the University of Edinburgh, and with a wide range of national and international partners.

Our current specific expertise spans:

Nutrition and health of humans, livestock, crops and soils; environmental and agri-food systems; crop and livestock production systems; climate smart agriculture; agricultural and natural resource economics; development; data science and mathematical modelling; the science-policy interface; food and land rights and law.

We welcome applicants with interests in these areas. Please also see staff webpages for more details of potential supervisor research interests.

Our people

To begin an application, visit the programme information on the University's course finder webpages.

PhD Agriculture and Food Security

Study is by supervised research. Individual students are integrated within their supervisor’s group, the Global Academy and School, and participate fully in activities such as journal clubs, group meetings and seminar programmes. You will be expected to complete a piece of original research, directed towards solving important, novel and open questions.

Depending on the field of study you are interested in, you may be able to apply for a pre-defined PhD project, or you may need to develop your own research idea. 

The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems provides a vibrant community and forum for development of ideas, collaboration, and

Research projects are usually co-designed by students and supervisors, and guidance throughout the PhD is also offered by the student’s thesis committee. Training needs are identified by the thesis committee and will be both generic skills based and project specific.

The University’s Institute for Academic Development provides a range of training courses, resources and support for researchers including PhD students https://www.ed.ac.uk/institute-academic-development/postgraduate/doctoral

There will also be the opportunity, where appropriate, to attend Global Academy MSc degree programme lectures and to make use of online learning materials.

There is also the opportunity for industry engagement or placements within the PhD programme.

The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems has access to an impressive range of facilities and services across the University and is involved with a number of collaborative centres of research excellence locally, nationally and internationally. We are exceptionally well-equipped with the latest technologies to enable our researchers to stay at the forefront of their fields.

A wide range of career paths will be available to our graduates depending on their area of research study, these include: researchers in academia or industry; policy advisors for government departments, NGOs (non-governmental organisations), charities or industry bodies; technical advisors; consultants; teachers; economists; marketing and management roles throughout the agri-food chain.

Depending on the field of study you are interested in, you may be able to apply for a pre-defined PhD project, or you may need to develop your own research idea.

Our funded studentships are advertised on FindaPhD.com and on our webpage (https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/applying/research/phds/phd-research-projects). These include projects within the BBSRC Eastbio and NERC E4 doctoral training programmes, Jameel Observatory studentships, and University/School studentships. These studentships are usually advertised in October to December each year, for starting September the following year.

We welcome applicants who can identify their own source of funding, including scholarships and self-funding. Appling this way allows you to propose your own research project as part of your application and to contact a supervisor before you apply. You can apply this way at any time, and if accepted can start study at any time. If you wish to apply this way, please complete an online application via this webpage (https://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/applying ). As part of your application you are required to upload a brief research project proposal. Please ensure your project aligns with the research interests of our staff . We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments. The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/postgraduate/uk-eu/other-funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for funding: https://www.ed.ac.uk/student-funding/search-scholarships

These entry requirements are for the 2023/24 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2024/25 academic year will be published on 2 October 2023

A UK 2:1 honours degree or its international equivalent in a related subject.

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country

English language requirements

You must demonstrate a level of English language competency at a level that will enable you to succeed in your studies, regardless of your nationality or country of residence.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified*:

• IELTS Academic: total 6.5 with at least 6.0 in each component.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 92 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
• CAE and CPE: total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
• Trinity ISE: ISE II with distinctions in all four components.
• PTE Academic: 62 overall with at least 59 in each component.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.

(*Revised 17 November 2021 to add accepted PTE Academic qualifications.)

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must have been awarded no more than three and a half years ago at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

• English language requirements

For application process queries:

Postgraduate Secretary, PG Research Team

Contact: RDSVS.PGR.Admin@ed.ac.uk

For academic queries:

Professor Liz Baggs

Contact: liz.baggs@ed.ac.uk

Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems

The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

University of Edinburgh

Easter Bush

Midlothian

EH25 9RG

UK

Programme: Agriculture and Food Security

School: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

College: Medicine & Veterinary Medicine

PhD and MScR opportunities at the Roslin Institute and the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

We would like to hear your views on potential new short courses and a Masters degree in Disease, Risk and Epidemiology.

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