UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS - EPSRC CENTRE FOR DOCTORAL TRAINING IN MOLECULES TO PRODUCT
University of Leeds EPSRC Molecules to Product PhD Studentships
full · phd
- Up to 15 studentshipsAvailable across the cohort
- 6 subject areasEligible graduate backgrounds
- ~GBP 17,668 / year (est.)Maintenance allowance (2022/23 basis)
- Full fees coveredEPSRC award (UK fee-rated)
- 3 major facilitiesBragg Centre, Royce Institute, Diamond Light Source
- 4 continentsInternational placement partners
At a glance
full
Funding
€27k
Max amount
Apr 24, 2027
Deadline
United Kingdom (for full EPSRC award)
Country
University of Leeds - EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Molecules to Product
Provider
The University of Leeds, founded in 1904 and a member of the Russell Group, offers fully funded PhD studentships through the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Molecules to Product. The Centre advertises up to 15 studentships for graduates from chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, physics, mathematics and statistics, chemistry, and food science. Its goal is to train researchers who can design, characterise and develop chemical and material-based products with superior performance, shifting from a trial-and-error route to a 'design and supply' paradigm that cuts development time, cost and failure risk for industry. Students access analytical facilities in the Bragg Centre, partnerships with the Sir Henry Royce Institute and Diamond Light Source, and training placements with universities and organisations across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. EPSRC studentship awards for the cycle cover full University of Leeds fees (around GBP 4,600 in the 2022/23 session) plus a maintenance allowance (around GBP 17,668 in 2022/23). Full awards are open to UK fee-rated applicants, while international students with their own funding may also apply. Confirm the current fee level, stipend figure and deadline on the official Centre page before you apply.
What's covered
- Tuition fees — Full coverage of University of Leeds PhD fees for funded students (around ~GBP 4,600 in the 2022/23 session; confirm the current rate on the official page).
- Maintenance allowance — An annual tax-free maintenance stipend for living costs, around ~GBP 17,668 (est.) per year on the 2022/23 basis and uprated each cycle.
- Interdisciplinary training — A structured training programme under experienced researchers, covering decision-making, innovation and enterprise skills alongside the research project.
- Industrial placements — Opportunities for industrial research placements with the Centre's industry partners to apply research in a commercial setting.
- Research facilities access — Access to analytical science facilities in the Bragg Centre, plus partnerships with the Sir Henry Royce Institute and Diamond Light Source.
- International placements — Funded collaborations and training placements at universities and organisations in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia.
How to apply
Applications are made through the University of Leeds online application portal. You apply to the PhD programme and reference the Molecules to Product CDT in the funding and research-area sections.
- Review eligible subjects — Check that your background matches one of the eligible disciplines and read the Centre's research themes to identify a project fit.
- Open the online application — Visit the University of Leeds website and go to the online application portal for postgraduate research.
- Complete the application form — Provide your proposed primary and secondary research areas, a one-paragraph summary of your research interests, and your degree classifications.
- Upload supporting documents — Upload a personal statement showing your motivation and research goals, plus a CV covering your education, experience, publications and any research.
- Reference the CDT and submit — Add the Centre for Doctoral Training in Molecules to Product to both the 'funding' and 'research area/title' sections, then submit before the deadline.
Eligibility
Academic backgroundA good degree (typically a strong 2:1 or first, or equivalent) in chemical engineering, materials science, physics, mathematics, statistics, chemistry or food science.
Funding eligibilityFull EPSRC studentship awards are open to UK fee-rated applicants.
International applicantsInternational students who have their own funding may also apply for a place.
Research fitProposed primary and secondary research areas should align with the Molecules to Product PhD programme.
Add the Centre for Doctoral Training in Molecules to Product to both the 'funding' and 'research area/title' sections of the application form. Confirm the current fee-status rules and stipend on the official Centre page.
Eligible countries
United Kingdom (for full EPSRC award), International applicants with own funding
Deadlines
October 2026 entry (2026/2027 session)~24 April 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applicants are assessed on academic background, the fit of their proposed research areas with the Centre's themes, and the strength of their personal statement and CV. Strong academic performance is preferred, and competitive applicants are typically contacted by the Management Team to discuss project options.
Verified sources
- EPSRC CDT in Molecules to Product - University of Leedsmolecules-to-product.orgofficial
- University of Leeds - PhD applicationsphd.leeds.ac.ukofficial
About the provider
The University of Leeds is a Russell Group university founded in 1904, with strong research in engineering, the physical sciences and food science. Its EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Molecules to Product trains doctoral researchers in the design and development of chemical and material-based products with industry partners.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Molecules to Product CDT?
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It is the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Leeds that funds PhD students to design, characterise and develop high-performance chemical and material-based products.
How many studentships are available?
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The Centre advertises up to 15 studentships for graduates across its eligible disciplines, though numbers vary by cohort.
Which subjects can I come from?
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Chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, physics, mathematics and statistics, chemistry, and food science.
What does the studentship cover?
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Full University of Leeds fees plus an annual maintenance allowance (around ~GBP 17,668 (est.) on the 2022/23 basis), interdisciplinary training and placements.
Can international students apply?
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Full EPSRC awards are open to UK fee-rated applicants, but international students who have their own funding may also apply for a place.
How much is the stipend?
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The maintenance allowance was around GBP 17,668 in the 2022/23 session and is uprated each year. Confirm the current figure on the official page.
What facilities will I access?
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The Bragg Centre analytical facilities, plus partnerships with the Sir Henry Royce Institute and Diamond Light Source.
Are placements part of the programme?
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Yes. Students can take industrial research placements and international training placements across the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia.
How do I apply?
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Apply through the University of Leeds online portal and add the Centre for Doctoral Training in Molecules to Product to the funding and research-area sections.
What documents do I need?
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A completed application form, personal statement, CV, degree transcripts and a short summary of your research interests.
When is the deadline?
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For the equivalent 2026/2027 session the deadline is estimated around 24 April 2026 (est.). Confirm the exact date on the official page.
When does the PhD start?
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The studentships are advertised for an autumn start, estimated around October 2026 (est.) for the upcoming cycle.