CIC-START PhD Programme

The Crop Innovation Centre - Skills, Technology and Research Training Programme (CIC-START) is an industrial doctoral landscape award (IDLA) funded by BBSRC that tackles skills shortages in UK agriculture by training researchers who can translate crop science into practical innovations.

This collaboration between the Universities of Dundee, Nottingham, Harper Adams and the James Hutton Institute brings on board more than 20 industrial partners from across the barley, potato and cereals sectors. The programme will support resilient, sustainable production and will deliver benefits across crop supply chains with research projects aligned to three broad themes:

• Sustainable agricultural systems - resilient production via crop management and genetics, using precision phenotyping, new breeding technologies, AI and big data.
• Crop and soil health - resistance and integrated pest management (including AI-driven prediction) and improving the root-soil interface (carbon, water and nutrient availability; cover crops).
• Waste and GHG reductions - reducing inputs and losses, improving resource-use efficiency, mitigating emissions, and reducing post-harvest damage (e.g., bruising/spoilage).

Our 4-year PhD programme offers students the opportunity to become part of a collaborative community of researchers from both academia and industry. Each studentship covers full tuition fees, a stipend at the UKRI rate and a research grant to support project costs.

What you will gain:

• A high-quality PhD project embedded in a wider programme with strong academic and industry engagement - projects and training are co-created with industry to stay focused on real-world needs and include an industrial placement
• Structured training in general and specialist skills and individual development planning aligned to the Vitae Researcher Development Framework.
• Knowledge-exchange opportunities through placements and programme events, with regular chances to present your work to academic and industry stakeholders.
• A positive, supportive culture with clear feedback routes, and a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion (including flexible participation options for many projects).

How to apply

Projects available for September/October 2026 entry, more details on the individual projects are below, you can select up to three choices in your application form.

Complete your application form through the Apply Now link

The deadline for applications is Friday 3^rd April 2026

Project 26A - Soil-saving, carbon-catching perennial grains - the spirit of regenerative agriculture?

Supervisors:

• Lead Supervisor – Dr. Ed Dickin, Harper Adams University
• Additional Supervisors – Prof. Jim Monaghan, Harper Adams University & Prof. David Cook, University of Nottingham
• Industrial Supervisor – Prof Debbie Sparkes, Diageo

Location

This project will be based at Harper Adams University, Centre for Crop and Environmental Science

The project

This project will develop new perennial grain crops, growing in the same field for multiple years, enabling regenerative agriculture for UK farmers and providing high quality malt for distilling. Diageo – the company partner in this project - as part of its Spirit of Progress programme has a target to develop regenerative agriculture across its supply base. One approach is to grow perennial cereals in place of annual cereals such as barley. Perennial cereals are grain crops that can regrow after harvest, enabling multiple years of cropping without soil disturbance, as well as accumulating significant root biomass (and carbon). This project will optimise field production of these crops to support the uptake of these crops by UK growers.

Perennial cereals show promise for soil health and structure, carbon sequestration and greater resilience to drought and waterlogging, perhaps the ultimate destination of no-till, conservation agriculture or regenerative agriculture. Breeding approaches are to domesticate existing wild perennials (Kernza, Land Institute, Kansas) or to ‘perennialize’ annual cereals by wide hybridisation (Washington State University). Introducing perennial grains into UK arable rotations helps fulfil all five principles of regenerative agriculture – crop diversity, protect soil surface, maintain living roots, minimise soil disturbance and livestock integration (grazing can be used to manage perennial grains). However, the fundamental challenge of perennial cereals is that greater allocation of resources to the larger root system reduces grain yield. Current perennial cereals show a decline in yield after three or four years and hence may be more suited as a rotational ley. These challenges may be overcome through optimal sowing dates, crop nutrition, genotype selection and grazing schedule. Yield aspects will be studied in detail in this PhD along with the effect of agronomic factors on malting quality. Kernza has been used in beer and whiskey in USA with a pleasing flavour profile showing promise that this project could kickstart the introduction of a valuable crop for regenerative agriculture into commercial production, truly the spirit of regenerative agriculture.

The key objectives of the PhD are:

• Quantify benefits (soil carbon, soil structure, biodiversity etc.) of perennial cereals.
• Investigate agronomy of perennials – seed rates, sowing dates, N timing and rates.
• Explore the optimum options to integrate perennial cereals sustainable cropping systems – undersowing, intercropping and grazing.
• Test the suitability of perennial grains for alcohol production – grain quality, micro malting.

The work plan will be developed with the student, and will include:

• Assemble and test a range of perennials at Harper Adams University for suitability for UK – assess yield, post-harvest regrowth and grain quality parameters.
• Agronomy – time of sowing, seed rates, undersowing, choice of partner crop, intercropping, timing and rate of N.
• Soil health parameters vs. annual cereal: SOM, earthworms, infiltration etc.
• Micro-malting at the International Centre for Brewing Science, University of Nottingham.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team at HAU with wide experience in regenerative cropping systems – soil science, crop physiology and agronomy, as well as spend time at the UoN centre of excellence in brewing.
The successful candidate will be embedded in a wider CIC-START training programme with strong academic and industry engagement - projects and training are co-created with industry to stay focused on real-world needs and include an industrial placement, specialist training in a full range of crop and soil science techniques and statistical analysis will be provided at HAU and micro-malting and malt quality evaluation at UoN.

26B - Harnessing Legacy Soil Phosphorus for Sustainable Barley Production

Supervisors

• Lead Supervisor – Dr. Wakene Negassa
• Additional Supervisors – Dr. Lucy Crockford & Dr. Samuel Eze, Harper Adams University
• Industrial Supervisor – Prof Debbie Sparkes, Diageo 

Location 

This project will be based at James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie and the appointed student will register at Harper Adams University as the degree awarding institution.

The project

Phosphorus (P) underpins global food, feed, and beverage production, but its supply is geographically concentrated in only a few countries. As a result, P scarcity has exposed global agriculture to significant risk, particularly for import-dependent countries, such as the UK. At the same time, decades of inefficient use of P fertilisers have resulted in the accumulation of legacy P in UK agricultural soils, which represents both a major environmental challenge and a valuable, underutilised resource worth billions of pounds.

Unlocking legacy soil P is one way to sustain the UK's food, brewing, and distilling industries. However, conventional soil P tests underestimate the total amount, forms, and plant availability of legacy P, and underestimate the role of nature-based solutions (NbS) in plant P acquisition and use efficiency. Emerging research demonstrates that soil-plant-microbe interactions can enhance P mobilisation and use efficiency without additional P fertiliser application. This approach is especially important for barley, where P is crucial for grain development and the enzyme activities that drive malting and fermentation, processes that shape the quality of whisky and other beverages. Using NbS to tap into legacy P not only promotes sustainability but also supports industry standards for quality and environmental performance.

Expected impact of the project: This PhD project will inform sustainable strategies to maintain stable barley yields and quality by reducing reliance on chemical P fertilisers, reducing environmental pollution, and supporting climate-resilient crop production. Moreover, the project will train a highly skilled researcher with interdisciplinary expertise relevant to both academia and industry, supporting long-term capacity building in sustainable agriculture and agri-food systems.

Key research questions

1. How do long-term conventional and regenerative farming systems differ in the quantity, chemical forms, and plant availability of legacy soil P?
2. What is the key root architectural and physiological mechanisms in barley that contribute to the mobilization of legacy soil P?
3. How do soil–plant–microbe interactions drive the mobilisation legacy P to concurrently enhance plant P-uptake efficiency, growth, and grain quality traits relevant to food and beverage production?

Research approach and study sites: The PhD candidate will work at the long-term experiments of the James Hutton Institute and Harper Adams University, which have compared conventional and regenerative cropping systems for over two decades. To investigate the amount, form, and plant availability of legacy P (Research Question 1), the student will apply classic chemical P fractionation and advanced spectroscopic analytical methods. The contributions of root traits and physiology to P acquisition and use efficiency will be explored in a controlled environment (Research Question 2). At the same time, a field experiment will examine how soil–plant–microbial interactions contribute to legacy P mobilisation, use efficiency and grain quality (Research Question 3).

Training: The successful candidate will be embedded in a wider CIC-START training programme with strong academic and industry engagement - projects and training are co-created with industry to stay focused on real-world needs and include an industrial placement. The studentship will offer interdisciplinary training in soil biogeochemistry, plant physiology, and microbial ecology, with opportunities to engage with academia and industry. The student will also develop skills in classical chemical and advanced soil analysis, statistical data analysis, scientific communication, and experimental design in both the field and controlled environments.

26C - Genetic Dissection and High-Throughput Phenotyping of Internal Dry Matter Distribution to Improve Processing Quality in Potato

Supervisors 

• Lead Supervisor – Dr. Ingo Hein, University of Dundee
• Additional Supervisors – Dr. Xinwei Chen & Dr. Amanpreet Kaur, James Hutton Institute
• Industrial Supervisor – Matthew Smallwood, McCain Food 

Location

This project will be based at Plant Sciences, University of Dundee within the James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie

The project

Improving the consistency and efficiency of potato processing remains a major challenge for the food supply chain, with dry matter content acting as a critical determinant of product quality, yield, and waste. While average dry matter has long been used as a selection metric in breeding, emerging evidence shows that how dry matter is distributed within individual potato tubers is equally important. Variability between internal regions of the tuber can lead to inconsistent fry quality, reduced processing yield, higher energy and oil use, and increased rejection rates. However, the biological and genetic drivers of internal dry matter distribution remain poorly understood, limiting the ability of breeding programmes to select for this trait effectively.

This project addresses this gap by focusing on the genetic dissection and high-throughput phenotyping of internal dry matter distribution in potato. By developing new phenotyping capabilities and linking them directly to genetic information, the project aims to establish internal dry matter distribution as a robust, selectable trait. The outcomes are expected to support more consistent processing performance, reduced waste, and improved resource efficiency, delivering tangible benefits across the potato value chain.

The central research questions are:

• How is dry matter distributed within potato tubers, and how variable is this distribution across genotypes?
• What genetic factors control internal dry matter distribution?
• To what extent is internal dry matter distribution heritable and suitable for selection in breeding programmes?
• How does internal dry matter distribution relate to processing-relevant traits such as fry quality, yield, and waste?

The project will take an integrated approach combining advanced imaging, quantitative phenotyping, and genetics. A high-throughput phenotyping pipeline will be developed using advanced imaging to quantify internal dry matter distribution non-destructively. These high-resolution phenotypic data will be integrated with existing genetic information from a defined potato breeding population to identify genomic regions associated with the trait and to estimate its heritability. Links between internal dry matter distribution and processing performance metrics will be explored to ensure direct relevance to industrial application.

The successful candidate will be embedded in a wider CIC-START training programme with strong academic and industry engagement - projects and training are co-created with industry to stay focused on real-world needs and include an industrial placement. The project offers a strong and highly supportive research environment, designed to equip the student with a versatile skill set for a successful future career in academia, industry, or related sectors beyond traditional research pathways. The student will gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge imaging technologies, data-driven phenotyping, and quantitative genetic analysis. Training will span experimental design, image analysis, statistical modelling, and interpretation of complex biological datasets. The student will also develop valuable transferable skills through exposure to industry-aligned research, cross-institutional collaboration, and communication of findings to both academic and applied audiences. Collectively, this training positions the student to operate confidently at the interface of plant science, technology, and commercial innovation.

26D - Unravelling interactions between Potato leafroll virus, its aphid vectors and potato host for the development of sustainable control of aphid-borne viruses.

Supervisors

• Lead supervisor - Dr Eugene Ryabov, James Hutton Institute
• Additional supervisors – Alison Karley, James Hutton Institute & Professor Tom Pope, Harper Adams University
• Industry supervisor – Eric Anderson, Scottish Agronomy Ltd

Location

This project will be based at the James Hutton Institute, Dundee and the appointed student will register at Harper Adams University as the degree awarding institution.

The project

The project aims to further understand interactions between aphid-borne Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), its aphid vectors and host potato plants. Vector-borne plant viruses have a significant economic and societal impact. Previously, neonicotinoid insecticides provided effective control of aphids in the European Union and the UK. However, increased restrictions and bans due to environmental concerns, combined with the rapid spread of pesticide-resistant aphid clones, have created an urgent need for sustainable, environmentally friendly strategies. Ultimately, identifying drivers of virus epidemics will enable the creation of more accurate models of virus circulation and spread, guiding sustainable crop protection strategies.

Over the past five years, there has been a significant several fold increase in PLRV incidence in Scottish seed potatoes. As three quarters of the UK’s potato crop originates from Scottish seed tubers, the uncontrolled spread of PLRV could have widespread consequences for UK agriculture. Our recent genetic analysis of PLRV in seed potato crops revealed the spread of a novel phylogenetically distinct variant of PLRV (www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/10/1294) which by 2023 had replaced the historic lineage of the virus in Scotland and may contribute to the recent rise in PLRV incidence.

The project will use both historic and newly isolated strains of PLRV and current genotypes of potato aphids (Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae) to investigate the factors driving the increased epidemic potential of aphid-borne plant viruses. Using wild-type virus and cDNA clones of PLRV variants, virus replication dynamics, systemic spread in plants, symptom development, and aphid transmission efficiency will be analysed in field trials and in controlled environment experiments. The project will also focus on finding how virus infection influences plant-aphid interactions, including changes in plant attractiveness to aphids and the underlying mechanisms (e.g. through changes in volatile emissions). Additionally, the project will examine how horizontal (aphid-mediated) and vertical (tuber-mediated) transmission pathways shape the genetic evolution and biological properties of PLRV. The outcomes of this research will identify the biological traits of PLRV that most significantly influence its epidemic potential.

The research objectives are:

• Compare wild type and cDNA clones of PLRV variants for virus replication dynamics and disease symptom development
• Assess the effect of PLRV variant on aphid (Myzus persicae, Macrosiphum euphorbiae) attraction towards infected plants and virus transmission efficiency
• Determine the impact of horizontal and vertical virus transmission on virus evolution
• Integrate the research results into the Scottish Aphid Borne Virus Working Group industry guidance - ‘Six Steps for Effective Virus Management in Potato Crops’

The successful candidate will be embedded in a wider CIC-START training programme with strong academic and industry engagement - projects and training are co-created with industry to stay focused on real-world needs and include an industrial placement. The project provides excellent opportunities for training in multi-disciplinary skills and techniques spanning molecular virology, entomology, crop physiology, agroecology, experiment design, statistical analysis, bioinformatics, and knowledge translation that will be highly attractive to future employers in agricultural and life science fields. The project will suit candidates with an environmental or agricultural science background interested in working with agriculture industries and stakeholders to solve sustainability challenges facing the arable sector.

The work addresses the major threat to potatoes, the UK’s second most important food crop, posed by aphid-vectored viruses. By analysing potato-virus-aphid interactions to identify traits driving virus epidemic spread, this project will generate knowledge that supports innovative sustainable Integrated Pest Management strategies and reduces reliance on synthetic pesticides, benefiting the £0.5 billion Scottish seed potato sector and wider UK agriculture.

The project offers strong training for the student while strengthening and maintaining UK expertise in plant virology, entomology, crop physiology, agroecology, statistics, bioinformatics, and knowledge exchange - skills highly valued by agricultural and life science employers.

26E - Unlocking recombination for barley breeding

Supervisors

• Lead Supervisor – Dr. Isabelle Colas, James Hutton Institute
• Additional Supervisors – Dr. Paul Shaw, James Hutton Institute & Dr. Claudia Martinho, University of Dundee
• Industrial Supervisor – Nicholas Pitts, Scotch Whisky Research Institute

Location

This project will be based at the James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie and the appointed student will register at the University of Dundee as the Degree Awarding Institution.

The project

The creation of novel and stable new varieties relies on effective gene exchange (recombination). But in barley, large areas of the genome (centromere) rarely recombine. Our research group found gene variants (Arrieta et al, 2021; Orr. Mittmann et al, 2026 (Featured in the Press) which display increased distal recombination (end of the chromosomes), but the increase in the peri-centromeric region is still marginal. The centromeric region which encompasses nearly 70% of barley chromosomes is therefore not fully exploited.

Therefore, the first aim of this PhD is to Develop hyper-recombinogenic pre-breeding barley lines to unlock novel genetic variation for crop improvement. Recent studies have found that mutants in the DNA methylases (which cause a decrease in DNA methylation) could improve recombination whilst producing viable seeds. Therefore, we suggest to:

• Decrease genome-wide DNA methylation levels by generating DNA methylases variants in cultivated barley using Gene Editing CRISPR/Cas9 and look at their effect on recombination.
• Study recombination in F2 populations (plant prototypes) in conjunction with pro-crossover factors developed in our lab.
• Explore the use of temperature to further shift recombination in our plant prototypes (Phillips et al, 2015) and take advantage of our speed breeding condition.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now part of our everyday life and is seen as a clear opportunity to accelerate decision making in genetics selection, design “SMART” crops and assist with farming practice, but an AI system is fundamentally reliant on Data quality and management. Here the student will develop a novel AI-powered system for crossover prediction and breeding selection. For this the student will take advantage of F2 populations that we have characterised as “training Set” and test the model on the newly acquired plants prototypes generated in the first part of the PhD.

The successful candidate will be embedded in a wider CIC-START training programme with strong academic and industry engagement - projects and training are co-created with industry to stay focused on real-world needs and include an industrial placement. The student will gain interdisciplinary training on genetic selection, breeding, recombination, Gene Editing, and use the state-of-the-art super resolution microscopy, genomics and AI-based data analysis to study the epigenetic control of meiosis.

References:

Orr, Mittmann et al, 2026 doi.org/10.1111/nph.70757
Martinho et al, 2022 : doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2112240119
Arrieta et al, 2021: doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2021.706560
Phillips et al, 2015 : nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nph.13548

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