PhD in Impacts of Water-Use Efficiency: This scholarship offers a chance to pursue a PhD focused on enhancing strawberry production through improved water-use efficiency. The research aims to characterize stomatal traits and develop better crop varieties to address challenges posed by climate change.
PhD in Impacts of Water-Use Efficiency on Strawberry Fruit Production and Quality
Designation:
- PhD Scholarship
Table of Details
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Research Area | Water-Use Efficiency in Strawberries |
| Location | Niab (National Institute of Agricultural Botany), East Malling; registered at the University of Kent, Canterbury |
| Eligibility/Qualification | Honours Degree (minimum 2.1) in Plant Sciences, Genetics, Computational Biology, Applied Statistics, or related fields; relevant Master’s degree encouraged; English proficiency required |
| Scholarship Value | Tuition fees at Home rate and annual stipend at the standard Research Council rate (£20,780 in 2025/26) for 3.5 years |
| Application Deadline | 30th May 2025 (23:59 BST) |
Research Area
- The project explores the impacts of water-use efficiency on strawberry fruit production and quality, addressing the effects of climate change on agriculture and freshwater demand.
Location
- The student will be based at Niab East Malling, with accommodations available, and registered at the University of Kent, Canterbury. Opportunities to work at Niab’s headquarters in Cambridge are also included.
Eligibility/Qualification
- Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- A minimum of a 2.1 Honours Degree in relevant fields.
- Candidates with a Master’s degree in related areas are particularly encouraged to apply.
- Proficiency in English is necessary for those whose first language is not English.
Description
- The research aims to:
- Characterize stomatal traits that influence water-use efficiency across a broad collection of strawberry germplasm.
- Identify genetic markers for breeding purposes to produce novel strawberry varieties with improved water relations.
- Assess how these traits affect plant resource utilization, growth rates, and fruit quality.
- Evaluate the sustainability of increased water-use efficiency in strawberry production amidst climate variability.
- This PhD project is part of the Soft-Fruit Genetic Improvement Network, which aims to enhance genetic resources in the UK soft-fruit industries.
How to Apply
- Interested candidates should apply for a full-time PhD place on Genetics for September 2025 entry at the University of Kent by the deadline of 30th May 2025, at 23:59 BST. After applying, please complete a Scholarship Declaration of Interest Form.
For specific inquiries regarding the research content, contact Dr. Graham Dow at graham.dow@niab.com.
Last Date to Apply
- 30th May 2025 (23:59 BST)
This scholarship presents an excellent opportunity for students passionate about agricultural research and wanting to contribute significantly to sustainability in strawberry production.
