PhD studentships with the South West Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (SWBio DTP)

Up to 34 fully-funded 4-year PhD studentships* available to start in September 2026, across a wide range of bioscience disciplines.

To view projects available, and how to apply, visit the SWBio DTP website.

* Subject to eligibility requirements.

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.

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 life sciences 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

Our Students enjoying a day of Statistics training (Cardiff)

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.

Placements

To help broaden your career horizons, you will undertake

• a 3-month placement of your choice, outside of an academic research environment - examples include working within policy, science communication, industry and scientific publishing.
• or a 3-18 month industry placement with your CASE partner – CASE studentships only

These are to provide you with highly desirable skills, experience and knowledge that can be applied to many career sectors.

About our placement schemes

Cohort activities

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 multidisciplinary and supportive student network.

About our cohort activities

(Left) - At Glastonbury Festival

(Right) - Sharing their research at our Annual Student Conference (Exeter)

Funding and eligibility

Information about funding and eligibility

A limited number of funded-studentships are available for international applicants. Further information for international applicants.

Supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI)

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

DTP virtual support events

We have events available to help support you with deciding on a bioscience PhD, applications and interviews.

Further information

Application deadline

Midday, Wednesday 03 December 2025

How to apply and projects available