QUEX January 2026 Entry: Biotech innovations to optimise algae for human nutrition. [Public Health & Sport Science], PhD Studentship (Funded) Ref: 5528

Join a world-leading, cross-continental research team

The University of Exeter and the University of Queensland are seeking exceptional students to join a world-leading, cross-continental research team tackling major challenges facing the world’s population in global sustainability and wellbeing as part of the QUEX Institute. The joint PhD programme provides a fantastic opportunity for the most talented doctoral students to work closely with world-class research groups and benefit from the combined expertise and facilities offered at the two institutions, with a lead supervisor within each university. This prestigious programme provides full tuition fees, stipend, travel funds and research training support grants to the successful applicants.  The studentship provides funding for up to 42 months (3.5 years).

Eight generous, fully-funded studentships are available for the best applicants, four offered by the University of Exeter and four by the University of Queensland. This select group will spend at least one year at each University and will graduate with a joint degree from the University of Exeter and the University of Queensland.

Find out more about the PhD studentships www.exeter.ac.uk/quex/phds

Successful applicants will have a strong academic background and track record to undertake research projects based in one of the three themes of:  Healthy Living, Global Environmental Futures and Digital Worlds and Disruptive Technologies.

The closing date for applications is mid-day May 15th 2025 (BST), with interview to be w/c 16th June 2025 (tbc). The start date is expected to be Monday January 5th 2026.

Please note that of the eight Exeter led projects advertised, we expect that up to four studentships will be awarded to Exeter based students.

Theme: Healthy Living

Supervisors:

Exeter Academic Lead: Professor Benjamin Toby Wall

Queensland Academic Lead: Professor Benjamin Hankamer

Project Description

The challenge of how to sustainably feed a global population anticipated to move close to 10billion in coming decades centres around whether sufficient protein and micronutrient dense food can be produced whilst staying within planetary boundaries (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions). Aside from plant-based foods, various other alternatives to meat and dairy production have been suggested, but each has significant barriers limiting widespread commercialisation and, thus, meaningful environmental impact (van der Heijden et al. 2023a; Williamson et al. 2024a). We have recently reported proof-of-concept data to show algae can be consumed by humans in large enough boluses to provide meal-like amounts of protein and various micronutrients (van der Heijden et al. 2023b; van der Heijden et al. 2024; Williamson et al. 2024b). Further, we showed that this protein can be metabolised and utilised to synthesise skeletal muscle proteins; however, depending on species it showed low bioavailability and palatability.

The aims of the present work are (1) to utilise our collaboration with an innovative industry partner who have created a palatable novel algal source fit for human nutrition (‘white chlorella’; envisaged as a dairy alternative). We will perform human investigations to establish whether embedding this algal source within a habitual diet (e.g. daily ingestion as opposed to a single meal) is able to support healthy metabolism (e.g. muscle protein synthesis) and markers of health (e.g. insulin sensitivity, micronutrient status, microbiome, blood lipids etc.). This will be achieved by applying gold standard methods with human nutritional physiology, such as stable isotope approaches, muscle biopsy and blood sampling techniques, physical function analysis and the quantification of energy expenditure and cardio-metabolic health. This work will deliver a clear answer within an in vivo human trial setting as to whether exchanging meat and dairy in the diet for novel algal products affects robust markers of human health. (2) The work will then move on to take a biosciences approach, leveraging learnings from our previous work as well as that of our industry partner, to create novel algal formulations. Advanced isolation and protein purification steps, genetic manipulations and large scale algal screenings will be applied at Queensland, in work aimed ultimately to deliver a highly concentrated algal protein, rich in micronutrients and palatable, that can then move into this pipeline of human testing.

The work will harness the in vivo human nutritional physiological expertise and cutting edge facilities for human metabolic testing at the University of Exeter, the leading algal Biosciences brought by the centre for solar technology at University of Queenland as well as the innovaton of the commercial partner Algenuity who will provide product and consultation.

References: van der Heijden et al. 2023a J Nutr; van der Heijden et al. 2023b Nut Rev; van der Heijden et al. 2024 B J Nutr; Williamson et al 2024a Trends Plant Sci; Williamson et al. 2024b Front Nutr.

Entry requirements

Applicants should be highly motivated and have, or expect to obtain, either a first or upper-second class BA or BSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information and a list of acceptable alternative tests.

How to apply

Apply now

You will be asked to submit some personal details and upload a full CV,personal statement, academic transcripts and details of two academic referees. Your supporting statement should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project, with particular reference to the collaborative nature of the partnership with the University of Queensland, and how this will enhance your training and research.

Please quote reference 5528 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Summary