Supporting the UK bioeconomy with the next generation of researchers

Posted on Thursday 18 December 2025

YBDTP has been established to train the bioscience researchers of the future, and to make sure they are fully equipped to address fundamental and strategic biological questions of national and global importance.

Major investment

Building on the success of the previous White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership in Mechanistic Biology, the collaboration has attracted major investment from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and from the partner institutions.

The partnership will offer cutting-edge research projects in bioscience and biotechnology, complemented by an interdisciplinary training programme and professional placements to give students the variety of skills needed for the UK bioeconomy.

The partnership is a collaboration of nine universities: the University of Leeds, the University of Sheffield, the University of York, Leeds Beckett University, Sheffield Hallam University, Teesside University, the University of Bradford, the University of Huddersfield and the University of Hull. 

Training and opportunities 

The first cohort of PhD students recently attended a multi-day induction event at the YHA National Forest in Derbyshire, which provided training and opportunities to build networks across the partnership.

Training was delivered by representatives from the University of Leeds, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of York and focused on some of the key elements of PhD research.

Building connections

During the residential, students also had the opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of the partnership, taking part in creative workshop sessions to explore the development of YBDTP’s identity as well as team-building activities that enabled them to explore their own research projects and build connections with their peers.

Dr Daphne Ezer, a Lecturer in Computational Biology, said: “"This PhD programme will support critical skills training to develop and retain talent in the Yorkshire and Teesside regions, helping support the bioeconomy in the North of England.  It is really important for us to ensure that the students develop a sense of community, forming a research network that they will take forward for the rest of their careers."

PhD Student El Cholmondeley, said: “There was a very big sense of community, and it was inspiring to be in a room full of people who are so passionate. The training was brilliant, very insightful and useful information. It prompted me to think about the bigger picture of my PhD.”

Applications for entry to projects for 2026 are now open. For further information, including how to apply, visit the YBDTP website.