BBSRC South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio)

Programme overview

You will be recruited directly to a broad, interdisciplinary project, supported by a multidisciplinary supervisory team, with many cross-institutional projects available. There are also opportunities to:

• apply your research in an industry setting (DTP CASE studentships).
• undertake research jointly with our core and associate partners (Standard DTP studentships with an associate partner).
• work with other national/international researchers.
• undertake fieldwork.

The SWBio DTP differs from most other bioscience doctoral training schemes in providing a hybrid scheme that combines the best of traditional project-focussed studies with a supporting but focussed taught first year with directed rotation projects, then concentrating on your PhD project from years 2-4 (supplemented with partnership-wide cohort activities and placement opportunities).

For further information please visit the SWBio DTP Programme overview webpage.

Our structured training programme will ensure you are well equipped as a bioscience researcher, supporting careers into academia, industry and beyond.

First year

We provide a broad awareness of the fundamental research approaches in biosciences and how they could be applied to real-life situations through:

• two rotation projects - both allied with but in different disciplinary areas related to the PhD project.
• three taught units - training in Statistics, Bioinformatics, coding, experimental design, innovation and understanding the impact of your research.

Note: You will need to complete the first year to progress into your second year of studies.  Also, if you are unable to continue your PhD, an MRes exit route is available upon completion of the first year.

Further information >>

Second to fourth years

The remaining years will be more like a conventional PhD, where you will focus on your PhD project.

Note: The PhD thesis must be submitted within 4 years (full-time equivalent) of starting the programme

To help broaden your career horizons, you will undertake

• a PIPS (Professional Internships for PhD Students) - a 3-month full-time placement (or part-time equivalent) outside of an academic research environment during your second or third year (optional for CASE studentships)
• or a placement with a CASE partner - a minimum of 3-months placement during your studies with your listed CASE partner (CASE studentships only)

Placements are increasingly being seen as essential steps in many career and are intended to broaden the scope of your employability post-graduation, in particular encouraging you to use your doctoral training skills in a broader range of careers.

About our placement schemes >>

You will have the opportunity to join many partnership cohort activities, such as student conferences, workshops and outreach events. Here you will meet students across the partnership, giving you access to a thriving multidisciplinary and supportive student network.

About our cohort activities >>

Projects advertised during the main SWBio DTP recruitment period (this period will be indicated by an application deadline) are all 4 years fully-funded (subject to being made a studentship offer following the SWBio interview day).

A fully-funded four year SWBio DTP studentship will cover:

• a stipend* (at the standard UKRI rate; £21,805 per annum for 2026-2027)
• research and training costs
• tuition fees **
• additional ring-fenced funds to support your training, including a 3-month placement

A limited number (up to 30%) of UKRI fully-funded studentships are available through the SWBio DTP, that applicants who would be classed as an International student are eligible for.  This also means that there are normally no restrictions on applying to any project that is advertised (unless otherwise indicated).   Further information about residence criteria >>

* An enhanced stipend is available for students with a recognised veterinary degree qualification.  There may also be enhanced stipends associated with projects that have a CASE partner (CASE projects are highlighted as *CASE in the project lists).

** International students will not be required to cover the difference between home and international tuition fees.

Please click on the following hyperlinks for full detail about funding and eligibility

We support inclusive and flexible work environments, and welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities.

Our SWBio DTP EDI statement >>

How we support our diverse student cohort >>

PhD study adjustments and support >>

Our aim as the SWBio DTP is to support students from a range of backgrounds and circumstances.  Where needed, we will work with you to take into consideration reasonable project adaptations (for example to support caring responsibilities, disabilities, other significant personal circumstances) as well as flexible working and part-time study requests, to enable greater access to a PhD.  All our supervisors support with this aim, so please feel comfortable in discussing further the the listed PhD project supervisors to see what is feasible. 

A number of FREE events available through the DTP to give you an insight into a PhD in the biosciences as well as support for applying and interviewing for PhD studentships.

• Insight into a bioscience PhD
  • • Virtual PhD Discovery Event
  • • Virtual PhD Taster Summer School

• Support for applying and interviewing for PhD studentships
  • • Applying for a PhD Guidance Session
    • Interview with Confidence Workshop

To find out more about the events being held please visit https://www.swbio.ac.uk/dtp-events-to-help-support-your-phd-journey-into-the-biosciences/

We have a number of projects available at Exeter as part of the SWBio DTP Studentship competition.  

The SWBio DTP offers projects in world-class bioscience that encompasses the following three research theme areas:

• Agriculture & Environmental Biosciences
• Engineering Biology
• Molecular Mechanisms & Pathways

PhD Research Projects available for September 2027 entry are listed in the drop down(s) below.