The Pirbright Institute is celebrating two major doctoral training initiatives funded by the UKRI Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), each offering unique opportunities for the next generation of scientists.
These programmes, awarded to consortia led by the University of Oxford and the University of Surrey, are set to train over 50 students per year across critical areas of interdisciplinary research in the life and environmental sciences.
Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Landscape Award
Led by the University of Oxford, the Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Landscape Award (ILESLA) is an innovative student-focused doctoral training programme co-funded by BBSRC and NERC. It offers an unprecedented opportunity for interdisciplinary research across life and environmental sciences.
Over 39 studentships will be awarded annually over a five-year period, providing access to cutting edge training and research facilities at partner institutions the University of Oxford, The Pirbright Institute, Oxford Brookes University, The Open University, Diamond Light Source and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source.
Dr Trevor Sweeney, Viral Gene Expression Group Leader and project co-lead on the University of Oxford ILESLA programme said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the University of Oxford on this BBSRC-NERC funded Landscape Award.
"This initiative strengthens Pirbright’s proud partnership with the University of Oxford in training the next generation of world-leading scientists. The programme offers a breadth of research opportunity to tailor training to student interests and development.”
Wessex One Health
The second successful award, the Wessex One Health doctoral training partnership led by the University of Surrey and funded by BBSRC, focuses on infection biosciences.
This award brings together four UK institutions with national capabilities in high-consequence pathogen research, including Pirbright, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
With additional partners at the University of Exeter (MRC Centre for Medical Mycology), University of Sussex (Brighton and Sussex Medical School), and Surrey’s own School of Veterinary Medicine and School of Medicine, the programme emphasises innovative approaches to understanding and addressing infectious threats arising from the complex interplay between animals and shared environments.
At least 10 BBSRC-funded places will be available annually, with a total cohort size of 15 students per year.
Dr Tim Downing, Genomics Group Leader and Wessex One Health project co-lead said “We are thrilled to be a part of this new doctoral training partnership. This programme unites leading institutions in pathogen research, equipping the next generation of scientists with the skills to identify, prevent and mitigate the dissemination and evolution of infectious threats.”
Prof. John Hammond, Pirbright's Director of Research said "We are excited to help train the next generation of scientists with such excellent scientific partners. These awards will help to maintain our dynamic and interdisciplinary postgraduate student cohort, who are key drivers of our science and collaborator network."
The first ILESLA and Wessex One Health cohorts will begin in October 2025. Studentships are expected to be advertised in early 2025.
