EngBio4Env DFA PhD students receive a bespoke training programme designed around four pillars of core skills:

Technical Mastery

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Deep foundations in synthetic biology, environmental biotechnology, AI, and data science prepare students to develop scalable biotechnologies.

Cohort Intelligence

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Collaborative problem-solving, cross-cohort summer challenges, and peer-led networking to foster a supportive learning environment, breaking the isolation of the PhD. 

Professional Acculturation

Integrated industry placements and policy workshops, preparing PhD students to navigate academia, government, and commercial sectors. 

Research Excellence

PhD projects co-designed with industry partners generating high-impact outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, and patents.

The EngBio4Env PhD Journey: Core Programme Elements and Illustrative Timeline

Year 1
Induction semester

Introduction week

Core modules:

  • Introduction to Synthetic Biology and bioinformatics, Newcastle University
  • Water and wastewater treatment principles and engineering biology applications, Cranfield University
  • Biofilms and Microbial Communities, University of Southampton
Transferable Skills Programme 1

Collaborative and Creative Innovation

Cranfield University

Group Design Project

Interdisciplinary teams co-create innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges using engineered biology. Complemented by a Policy Primer delivered in collaboration with Brunel Public Policy, this project offers early exposure to regulatory landscapes and science-policy interactions.

EngBio4Env Conference & Summer Challenge

The Summer Challenge is an assessed, cross-cohort week held at rotating off-campus locations each July. Interdisciplinary teams tackle live environmental challenges set by industry partners, culminating in a one-day conference.

Year 2
Elective module 1

EngBio4Env PhD students complete two modules of their choice during the first three years of their project. 

Options include: 

  • Introduction to Metrology, Analytical quality and method validation (NML)
  • Sustainability, policy and governance (Brunel University of London)
  • Environmental biotechnology for wastewater treatment (The University of Glasgow)
  • Reclamation of contaminated land (The University of Glasgow)
  • Ethical, regulatory and social aspects of AI (Cranfield University)
  • Techno Economic leadership (IBioiC, The University of Glasgow)
  • Water and Environment Design (The University of Glasgow)
Transferable Skills Programme 2

Communication to Enable Change: Using Your Research to Inform Policy

Brunel University of London

EngBio4Env Conference & Summer Challenge

The Summer Challenge is an opportunity for our PhD students to come together and engage with a range of expert guest speakers, transferable skills sessions and innovative problem-solving challenges.  

Year 3
Elective module 2

Options include: 

  • Introduction to Metrology, Analytical quality and method validation (NML)
  • Sustainability, policy and governance (Brunel University of London)
  • Environmental biotechnology for wastewater treatment (The University of Glasgow)
  • Reclamation of contaminated land (The University of Glasgow)
  • Ethical, regulatory and social aspects of AI (Cranfield University)
  • Techno Economic leadership (IBioiC, The University of Glasgow)
  • Water and Environment Design (The University of Glasgow)
Industrial Placement

Placements with industry partners offer PhD students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and build their transferable skills

Transferable Skills Programme 3

Future Thinking, Risk and Resilience

The University of Glasgow

EngBio4Env Conference & Summer Challenge

At the conference, third-year PhD students present their research to date through a 3-ming poster pitch.

Year 4
Transferable Skills Programme 4

Career and Personal Skills Planning

The University of Southampton

EngBio4Env Conference

Final year PhD students deliver a full 15-minute conference talk on their research project and results. 

Completion of PhD!