Signature Research Theme PhD scholars will receive the following:
2023/24 rates to be announced.
The deadline for applications is Monday 6th February 2023 at 23:59 GMT. Interview date is 22 February 2023.
We are looking for a forward-thinking and motivated individual to work in a highly collaborative project aiming at reducing viticultural waste by creating new upcycled foods with health benefits. The project involves performing biochemical analysis of viticultural waste, as well as market analysis and working directly with businesses to understand their waste streams. The successful applicant will therefore have a foundation in biological sciences and strong interest to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries.
The successful applicant will work directly with businesses and different research teams. The ability to work across disciplines and sectors and to effectively communicate in both verbal and written form is therefore a key requirement of this studentship. Applications must demonstrate a motivation and enthusiasm to engage with the different disciplines concerned with addressing environmental and health challenges.
Applicants are required to meet the entry requirements for a PhD in Biosciences: A minimum 2.1 honours degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine or equivalent. A Master’s degree and research experience is desirable.
The University of Kent is delighted to invite applications for a doctoral scholarship on a project starting in the academic year 2023 (from September 2023). This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional PhD candidate to lead research to reduce food waste by investigating the production of novel, healthy ‘upcycled’ foods made from viticultural waste. It is anticipated that findings from this project will generate transdisciplinary knowledge on viticultural waste streams that can be used to develop innovative high value upcycled foods while reducing waste and promoting health.
This project is funded by the University of Kent Signature Research Theme ‘Positive Environmental Futures’. The Signature Research Theme’s goal is to find innovative solutions to urgent environmental issues and to facilitate trans-disciplinary work to understand environmental challenges, enable innovative and equitable solutions and deliver change. The aspiration of ‘Positive Environmental Futures’ is to nurture active areas of research expertise, provide space for new and emerging collaborative activity to grow and to build inclusive relationships with a range of external partners.
Project overview
Food production generates large amounts of waste. Waste occurs at every stage of food production, reducing productivity and generating negative environmental impacts. Reducing waste requires innovative solutions; Upcycling of waste can in principle yield a supply of inexpensive healthy foods. In this project, we will innovate to reduce food waste by investigating the production of novel, healthy ‘upcycled’ foods made from viticultural waste. Upcycled foods are predicted to become a major food trend by analysts, retailers, media outlets, presenting major opportunities to reduce waste and increase the value of agricultural products.
The wine industry produces large amounts of waste from grape pressing and fruit deemed unsuitable for wine production. Grapes and grape skins have high levels of bioactive compounds with well-established health effects (anthocyanins and flavanols with cardiovascular-, neuro- and metabolic health promoting properties). Grape seeds are rich in prebiotic oligosaccharides (functional fibre improving gut health through the microbiome). Grape compounds have sensory attributes (smell, taste, texture) desirable for development of foods. Given that viticulture is rapidly expanding in Southeast England there are significant opportunities to reduce waste, increase productivity and profits by producing high-value upcycled foods.
Our project aims at innovating viticultural production to improve efficacy, reduce waste, generate new foods that improve health and create new business opportunities. The PhD student will work with the supervisory team to:
Transdisciplinary training
The project integrates natural and social sciences transcending traditional boundaries. We provide an excellent training environment in which the student gains the skills and experiences needed to work across disciplines to support a transition to a climate smart society. Emphasis will be placed on translating specific research outcomes between the identified activities. For example, understanding which bioactive compounds can be used to produce products that are highly valued by consumers. The student will be trained in methods from different disciplines; biochemical analysis, biomedical testing, microbiological testing, use of ethical and sustainable laboratory models, economic modelling, survey design, econometric and statistical analysis using R (specifically Apollo) and other relevant software, and business engagement.
The successful applicant will be supported by an interdisciplinary supervisory team with a broad range of conceptual and methodological expertise across the fields relevant to the research proposal:
The supervisory team will provide training on the methodological techniques and approaches to be employed with this project. Beyond the supervisory team, the successful applicant will engage with wine producers in the region and a range of development opportunities (personal, professional, and career) provided through the Graduate Research College as part of the researcher development programme.
Postgraduate research students are acknowledged and regarded as a core component of the University and our ability to develop and deliver high-quality research. The PhD student will join a cohort of postgraduate researchers based in the School of Biosciences (Division of Natural Sciences) and be part of a growing community of PhD students associated with the University of Kent’s Signature Research Themes.
Informal enquires can be made to Marina Ezcurra m.ezcurra@kent.ac.uk.
New students wishing to be considered for this scholarship must apply for a PhD place at the University of Kent by 6 February 2023. Applications must be made through the programme of Biochemistry.
Applicants should follow the University of Kent’s online application process. As part of the process, you must: