Food Security PhD / MPhil
Food Security focuses on improving food safety in the UK, EU, Africa and Asia through controlling major foodborne pathogens such as Campylobacter and Salmonella and increasing productivity through control of endemic disease in the UK including Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli and in Asia and Africa and through improvements in animal welfare.
Why study with us?
150
years of leading international reputation.
101
full-time academic staff.
£6.6m
awarded in new research income this year.
Overview
The University of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection and Global Health was established to bring together leading medical, veterinary and basic science researchers from across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. We also enjoy close and active collaboration with NHS colleagues through the Liverpool Health Partners Academic Health Science System.
We employ an interdisciplinary approach to our research that ranges from environmental survival of pathogens, through to their biology in foodstuffs. To achieve this we use epidemiological approaches, mathematical modeling, pathogen and host genomics to studies in microbial pathogenesis and host immune responses. As such the theme of Food Security involves researchers across all departments of IGH.
Research themes
Our research themes include:
- Understanding how stressors in poultry production impact on the immune response and vaccine efficacy
- Characterisation of the population biology of Campylobacter jejuni through poultry processing
- Determining the impact of chicken genotype on Campylobacter infection
- The risks of foodborne infection from backyard poultry production in Africa
- Developing novel adjuvants for Salmonella vaccines
- Survival of Campylobacter in food products
- Determining the pathogenesis of monophasic Salmonella Typhimurium variants.
Study options and fees
The fees below reflect one year of study during the 2024/25 academic year
| MPhil / PhD | Duration | UK students | International Students |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full time | 2-4 years | £4,786 |
|
| Part time | 4-6 years | £2,393 |
|
The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.
* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.
^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.
Entry requirements
Students will normally have a minimum of a 2:1 class honours degree in a relevant biological science subject, or an equivalent medical, veterinary or dental qualification. Applicants are selected on the basis of their curriculum vitae, qualifications and referees’ reports, together with their perceived ability to complete the programme successfully and on the value of the training offered to their subsequent career plans.
English language requirements
| IELTS Academic requirement - SELT and non-SELT | Overall 6.5 no band below 5.5 |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT requirement | Minimum 88 overall with L 17 W 17 R 17 and S 19 |
| C1 Advanced CAE requirement | Overall 176 with no less than 162 in any paper |
| Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE II) | ISE II with an overall pass with merit in components |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a First Language | Grade C |
| Cambridge IGCSE as a Second Language | Grade B |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Proficiency) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
| Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced) | Overall 176 with 162 in components |
How to apply
Research degree applications can be made online. You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.
Applications are open all year round.
More about applying for research degrees
Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal
Find a supervisor
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Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us
- IVES PGR Administrator
- Email: ivespgradmin@liverpool.ac.uk
- Phone: +44 (0)151 794 8032
Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects
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