High-Gravity Fermentation for Sustainable Scotch Whisky Production

PhD
Written By Andrew Bonnar

  • Heriot-Watt University

  • Application closing date: 7th October 2026

  • Interviews expected: Approximately two to three weeks after the application closing date.

  • Expected PhD Start date: January 2027

We are pleased to offer a fully funded, four-year PhD studentship based at the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh Campus.

The studentship is jointly funded by Heriot-Watt University, the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI), and the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC).

Funding package

This studentship provides a financial package including UK tuition fees, a tax-free student stipend, and an allocated consumables budget.

Please note that international tuition fees are not covered. International applicants would therefore be required to fund the difference between the home and international tuition fee rates (approx. £8,000 per year).

The project is supported by the Scotch Whisky Research Institute (SWRI), who will provide strong industrial relevance, access to sector expertise, and opportunities for industry engagement and placement throughout the PhD.

Through IBioIC, the successful candidate will also undertake training in data analysis, communication, public engagement, and wider skills development opportunities.

About the Project

Scotch whisky is one of the UK’s most globally recognised premium beverages, with exports exceeding £5 billion annually. Fermentation lies at the heart of whisky production and represents a critical industrial biotechnology leverage point for improving sustainability.

High-gravity fermentation uses increased concentrations of fermentable sugar to produce high-strength alcohol. Previous modelling work has demonstrated its potential to reduce water consumption, energy demand, and associated processing costs in whisky production: https://doi.org/10.58430/jib.v132i2.97

The project aims to investigate the practical implications of high-gravity fermentation for Scotch whisky production. The successful candidate will investigate how high-gravity fermentation influences spirit character, assess its impact on distilling co-products, and evaluate economic and sustainability performance using techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA).

By integrating experimental data with systems-level analysis, the project will generate evidence-based knowledge to support future process innovation, distillery capacity design and decarbonisation strategies across the Scotch whisky sector. The knowledge generated is expected to apply to other spirit categories and wider industrial biotechnology sectors that rely on fermentation-based processes.

Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Shiwen Zhuang (S.Zhuang@hw.ac.uk) or Dr Jane White (J.White@hw.ac.uk)

Training and research experience

The project offers a multidisciplinary training environment that bridges fermentation science, engineering, industrial biotechnology, and sustainability. The student will gain hands-on skills in:

  • whisky production at both laboratory and pilot scale

  • chemical and instrumental analysis of spirit;

  • sensory evaluation;

  • co-product characterisation;

  • techno-economic analysis;

  • life-cycle assessment;

  • data interpretation and scientific communication.

Candidate requirements

This project would suit candidates with a background in brewing, distilling, chemical engineering, industrial biotechnology, chemistry, analytical chemistry, or those with a background in food science and microbiology who are keen to move to a more process-focused area.

The ideal candidate will have a 1st or strong 2:1 Honours degree or a Master's in a biological science, chemical or biochemical engineering (or similar scientific discipline).

Strong laboratory, quantitative, and engineering skills would be beneficial. Relevant industrial experience may also strengthen an application but is not essential.

How to Apply

Please use the Heriot-Watt online system to submit your CV, Academic Transcript and a cover letter outlining your suitability for this project.

When completing your application, please ensure you also provide the following information:

a)    in ‘Study Option’: You will need to select ‘Edinburgh’ and ‘Postgraduate Research’. ‘Programme’ presents you with a drop-down menu - Choose ‘Bioengineering PhD’ and select ‘January 2027’ for the study option (this can be updated at a later date if required)

b)    in ‘Research Project Information’: You will be provided with a free text box for details of your research project. Enter Title of the project for which you are applying and also enter the supervisor’s name (Dr Shiwen Zhuang). In addition, applicants are also welcome to submit a short research proposal outlining their initial ideas and perspectives on the project. This is encouraged but is not essential.

This information will greatly assist us in tracking your application.

 

To apply
Andrew Bonnar