Industrial Collaboration PhD Studentships
Industrial CASE Studentships for 2026 are now OPEN. Please consult the list of projects below and apply before Thursday 27th November.
MIBTP has up to 12 CASE studentships available for October 2026 entry.
These studentships are an excellent opportunity to initiate new industrial contacts, develop existing links and help enhance the impact of research. The BBSRC-funded CASE studentships are designed to provide students with a first-rate challenging research training experience within the context of a mutually-beneficial research collaboration between academic and non-academic partner organisations. Joint supervision should provide the student with a unique and broadening perspective on the impact of collaborative research, and allows the student to acquire novel skills and expertise.
Through the industrial placement a CASE student will gain a wider understanding of, for example, applied research or policy development that will enhance their future career prospects. In addition to experience of an industrial research environment, the student will receive business-related training, for example, in project-management, business strategy and/or finance. BBSRC stipulates a placement period of a minimum of 3 months, and up to a maximum of 18 months. The required placement period can be accrued through a number of shorter placements, if appropriate.
Awarding these collaborative studentships through the Doctoral Training Partnerships enables the students to take advantage of the additional benefits offered by DTPs, such as cohort-based learning and skills training provision.
CASE students must fulfil the MIBTP entry requirements and will join the MIBTP cohort for the taught elements of the programme. CASE students will complete a 3-month mini-project (at a non-home institution) between January and August of year 1. They will remain as an integral part of the MIBTP cohort and take part in the core networking activities and transferable skills training.
2026 CASE Projects
Open for Application
Nanovector-mediated neurotoxicity management to increase safety of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in human neurons
Primary Supervisor: Dr Boris Kysela
University: Aston University
Industry Partner: AstraZeneca PLC
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Bioproduction of high value chemicals using engineering biology approaches
Primary Supervisor: Professor Alan Goddard
University: Aston University
Industry Partner: BioExtractions (Wales) Ltd.
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Understanding Staphylococcus capitis skin colonisation in atopic dermatitis
Primary Supervisor: Professor Joan Geoghegan
University: University of Birmingham
Industry Partner: L'Oréal
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Developing a realistic double envelope mimetic as a tool to study Gram-negative biology
Primary Supervisor: Professor Tim Dafforn
University: University of Birmingham
Industry Partner: ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Polyphenols as Therapeutic Agents for Skeletal Muscle Health: Implications in Muscle Pathology
Primary Supervisor: Dr Jason Tallis
University: Coventry University
Industry Partner: Bio-Synergy
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Targeting NAD+ Metabolism and Immune Glycosylation to Modulate Biological Age and Resilience in Humans
Primary Supervisor: Dr Richard Mackenzie
University: Coventry University
Industry Partner: Muto Longevity
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Understanding the Influence of Native and Supplemented Soil Microbiomes on Drought Stress Resistance in Forage Grass Ecosystems
Primary Supervisor: Dr Alexander Watson-Lazowski
University: Harper Adams University
Industry Partner: Barenbrug UK
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Development of a toolbox to characterise the structural cell compartment of the human lung
Primary Supervisor: Dr Harvinder Virk
University: University of Leicester
Industry Partner: Structural Genomics Consortium
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Rapid Characterisation of Mycobacterial Populations Using Bacterial Electrophysiology
Primary Supervisor: Dr Natalie Garton
University: University of Leicester
Industry Partner: Cytecom Ltd
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Assessment and engineering of the Brassica self-incompatibility locus to enhance seed production
Primary Supervisor: Dr Graham Teakle
University: University of Warwick
Industry Partner: Elsoms Seeds Ltd
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Integrating modelling & experimental studies to strengthen fungicide resistance management
Primary Supervisor: Dr Stephen Parnell
University: University of Warwick
Industry Partner: Syngenta Crop Protection
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Control of Male Fertility in Plants through Exogenous Small RNAs
Primary Supervisor: Professor Jose Gutierrez-Marcos
University: University of Warwick
Industry Partner: APOLO Biotech
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Bridging the Gap Between In Vitro and Whole-Plant Herbicide Screening Using Biosensors
Primary Supervisor: Professor Vardis Ntoukakis
University: University of Warwick
Industry Partner: Syngenta UK Life Sciences
Deadline: Thursday 27th November 2025
Closed for Application
None closed at present. Please note that some projects have now be re-categorised as standard projects.
Application
To apply for a CASE studentship, please check your eligibility and complete the MIBTP application processLink opens in a new window.
Please ensure that you clearly state you are applying for a CASE project and stipulate which project(s).