Explore our opportunities to work with leading experts in virology and study viral diseases affecting livestock and their potential to spread to humans. 

At Pirbright, our community of over 40 PhD students, affiliated with universities across the UK, benefit from access to world-class facilities in a vibrant environment that fosters research and collaboration.

We have partnered with various universities and industries to offer a selection of PhD studentships. These partnerships offer students an exceptional opportunity to obtain a broad view of infectious disease research in a dynamic and unique research environment. 

Students can work with project partners, allowing for interdisciplinary, cross-institutional approaches to solving the challenges of livestock diseases. This approach is complemented by core skills training at the student's host institutions, providing flexible training options and experiences that support a wide range of career paths.

Funding

PhD studentships for UK students are primarily funded by the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).

International students are welcome to apply, but they must secure funding through scholarships or other means, as detailed in each specific studentship advert.

Available studentships

ILESLA-Pirbright Studentship

The Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Landscape Award (ILESLA) will train a new generation of creative, collaborative and entrepreneurial researchers to tackle challenges, from climate change and food security to infectious diseases, biodiversity declines and sustainability.

This is a jointly funded studentship between the ILESLA programme and The Pirbright Institute. The successful applicant will participate fully in all aspects of ILESLA training, including the initial period of training at Oxford, rotations and the mandatory 12 week internship, but will be required to choose a substantive doctoral project that has a group leader at the Pirbright Institute as the primary supervisor. 

Start date: September 2025

Deadline to apply: 11 July

For full details and to apply, please visit the ILESLA website