Fund your future in industrial biotechnology with an IBioIC PhD studentship

IBioIC PhD studentships are industry-championed, academically rigorous and designed to fast-track your transition from researcher to industry leader. With funded projects at Scotland's top universities and real company partnerships from day one, this is where your biotech career begins.

IBioIC-funded PhD Projects - now open for student applications

Skills training database

PectoCAZy: mining plant pathogens for industrially-relevant enzyme mixtures

Development of an efficient chemoenzymatic route for site selective antibody-peptide conjugation

Aquatic to agronomic: making progress towards mechanistic functional understanding of algal biostimulants for agriculture

Industry from day one

Every project is co-led by an industry partner and an IBioIC academic. Your research solves real commercial challenges.

Minimum 3-month placement

Work embedded in your industry partner's organisation, building the practical experience and professional network that sets you apart.

Where an IBioIC PhD can take you

Research Scientist

Biotech innovation manager

CPD-accredited training

Complete our Working with Industry course and Business Start-Up Simulation — discrete modules designed for the transition from academia to industry.

Process development scientist

Funded up to 50%

IBioIC co-funds PhD projects at standard UKRI intervention rates — reducing the barrier for both students and industry partners.

R&D leader

Also funded through IBioIC-supported programmes

IBioIC also supports PhD students through a range of partner programmes. Explore the options below:

EastBio

NW Bio

DiveIn

NBIC

NAPIC

PhD student stories

Hear from researchers who have been through the IBioIC PhD programme:

Case Study Database

Fiona's PhD has focused on the circular economy of critical metals

In this case study, Fiona talks about her research in using Biological approaches towards the circular economy of critical metals and her hopes for a career in the sustainable biotechnology space.

Alex's PhD is allowing him to transfer knowledge on cell line development to an industry setting

Alex is working with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies on his PhD project to engineer a lactate sensing and controlling system in CHO cells. In this case study, Alex reveals his passion for working at the intersection of academia and industry to drive progress in this area.

Jess’ interest in sustainability and protecting the environment lead them to a PHD with Unilever

For this PHD, Jess Tallis is investigating Optimisation of glycosylated triterpenoid production in S. cerevisiae, with Unilever. Jess tells us about their passion for teaching and how the outcomes from this PhD have the potential to extend into other areas including vaccine production, cancer therapeutics and treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.

Glen’s MSc led him to continue his work for a PHD with The Antibody Company

For his PHD, Glen Watt is Generating a Novel High-affinity Multi-targeting Therapeutic Antibody for Multiple Myeloma, with The Antibody Company. In this case study, Glen hopes tells us about his PhD and how he hopes to help improve the poor patient survival rate for Multiple Myeloma.

Rebecca’s PhD aims to turn innovative synthetic biology into practical solutions that can benefit society

For Rebecca’s PHD, she worked with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies on Novel insulators that can enhance and sustain transgene production. In this case study, Rebecca shares her desire to help guide and inspire as well and discussing how advancements in synthetic biology have the potential to revolutionize IB

An interest in working with industry on real-world problems led Nisreen to start a PHD

Nisreen Chahid is undertaking a collaborative PhD project with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies, looking at Novel Strategies to Improve Yeast as an Expression Platform. For this case study, Nisreen shares their hopes for the future and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) could lead us into exciting new directions.

Liam’s PHD investigates how light can control gene expression

For his PHD, Liam Forbes is Applying Optogenetics in Green Cell Factories, with Xanthella. In this case study, he tells us about his hopes for the future regarding photosynthetic organisms and how one day they may be used to make products using light and CO2.

James is looking to make a positive impact on the pharmaceutical industry when he completes his PhD.

The opportunity to work with Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies on his PhD project was an opportunity James Donaldson couldn’t pass up. He tells us about his ambition and motivation to improve patient healthcare, in our latest PhD case study.

Industrial collaboration convinced Elmira to undertake her PhD project

Having done the IBioIC Industrial Biotechnology MSc, Elmira understands the value of industry collaboration and wants to maintain the connection between industry and academia in her future career.

Federica has her eye on a career as a patent attorney after her PhD

PhD candidate Federica Casolari is undertaking a PhD project on Developing an enzymatic system for methacrylate intermediates and esters with University of Aberdeen and Ingenza Ltd. In this case study, she talks about coming to a biology focused PhD from a chemistry background, her ambition to become a patent attorney, and her love of baking.

Frequently asked questions

Project calls open each October for the following academic year. Applications are open to any Scottish higher education institution and must include a named industry partner. All projects are independently reviewed by at least two reviewers and awarded on a competitive basis. Successful projects must be advertised openly to support a diverse applicant pool.
Yes. Every project must have at least one industry partner, and the research must demonstrate a clearly defined benefit to that company and to the wider biotechnology ecosystem. The industry supervisor participates in regular meetings with the student and the full supervisory team throughout the project.
IBioIC funds up to 50% of PhD project costs at standard UKRI intervention rates. Live calls for both project proposals and student applications are published on our funding calls page.
View project calls
View calls for student applications
All IBioIC studentships include a minimum of three months based with your industry partner. Your industry-based supervisor will be actively involved in regular supervisory meetings alongside your academic team, giving you genuine exposure to commercial R&D environments and professional networks from early in your studies.
Yes. IBioIC is committed to flexible routes through education and actively supports PhD@Work programmes for professionals who want to upskill without leaving employment. Get in touch to discuss the options available to you and your employer.
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IBioIC projects are hosted at Scottish higher education institutions. Eligibility for funding varies by call. Full details are included in each project advertisement. We encourage applications from candidates with diverse backgrounds, wherever you are based.

Ready to take the next step?

Browse our live PhD calls above or get in touch with the IBioIC team to discuss whether a studentship is right for you.

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