PhD Food, Nutrition and Health

The outstanding quality of our research is internationally recognised, making Reading one of the most highly regarded food and nutrition institutions in the world. By choosing to study your PhD with us, you will join this innovative community, and build your own sought-after expertise to lead into a research career in academia, food industry or beyond.

We offer the opportunity to carry out multidisciplinary research toward a PhD that tackle wide-ranging research questions, from understanding the factors that influence the development of food flavour, through to the gene-specific impact of personalised nutrition on health. PhDs are usually studied for on a full-time basis, but we can offer some part-time opportunities or the ability to pursue your PhD while working away.

As part of the research community in the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences, you will be supported throughout your time here. We are world-renowned for the quality of our research, making Reading an excellent environment for food scientists. Additionally, you will automatically be enrolled in the Graduate School and receive all associated benefits.

The Graduate School's Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP) offers a rich array of training sessions and workshops that have been especially designed to help you gain the additional skills that will enable you to carry out your research professionally and effectively. The RRDP is delivered primarily using the expertise of academic and specialist staff within the University and complements any subject-specific training that we provide. The RRDP includes training sessions on research methods, writing academic papers, getting published, public engagement and career planning.

To be accepted to study for a PhD, applicants will normally need to have an undergraduate degree of at least an Upper Second-class/2.1 (or equivalent) and/or a master's degree, in a subject related to the proposed PhD topic. In some areas of the University (particularly in the arts, humanities, social sciences and business) applicants are normally only accepted if they have a master's level qualification.