PhD Agricultural Science and Technology University of Lincoln

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Lincoln's MPhil/PhD in Agricultural Science and Technology offers prospective students advanced research opportunities in transdisciplinary research combining studies on agriculture, people, and technology. The programme brings together the opportunity to study scientific, technological, and social innovations and how they can be developed, applied and reimagined to address global agricultural challenges at local or international scales.

This personal development opportunity provides a comprehensive mixture of theory, knowledge and skill development. Depending on the research areas of focus this could include, but is not limited to, crop phenotyping, precision agriculture, agri-robotics, applications of AI across the food production system, regenerative agriculture, weed science, soil and water, natural resource management, sustainable agroforestry systems, controlled environment agriculture, food systems, governance, and socio-political aspects of resilient, sustainable agriculture, and wider food production.

Graduates from this programme are well placed to embark on diverse career paths in either academia, research organisations, the agri-food industry, technology providers and start-ups, non-governmental organisations in food systems, land use and conservation, government departments, and the private sector in plant breeding and food production industries, to name a few. This programme offers the opportunity for a personal learning journey to develop the knowledge, skills and critical mindset needed for taking a leading role in a thriving agriculture and food sector now, and in the future.

Why Lincoln?

The Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology (LIAT) is a leading UK research organisation recognised for its world-leading multi-disciplinary research and collaboration with key academic and industrial partners in the agricultural sector – the largest industry in Lincolnshire.

The rapid growth of the institute benefits from strategic UK government funding granted to establish Lincoln as the national centre for excellence in agri-food technology. This includes significant grants from Research England to fund the Lincoln Agri-robotics Centre and from EPSRC for the Centre of Doctoral Training in Agri-food Robotics. LIAT has a growing reputation in crop and soil science research with access to an excellent 400-ha research farm at the Riseholme campus constituting arable, livestock, woodland and watercourses.

The team is actively working towards net-zero agriculture, and reducing chemical inputs in farming through precision agriculture and non-chemical weed control. Crop phenotyping, soil and irrigation management, and selective harvesting of strawberries are just some of the examples demonstrating the LIAT’s offering of practical sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions for improving farming practices.

What Does This Programme Offer?

This programme offers an opportunity to gain a PhD in a multi-disciplinary setting, combining the strength of agricultural science with technology in particular social contexts whether a student wants to study solely agricultural topics in crops, soils, water, or ecology or have these areas combined with technology namely remote sensing, computer vision, or precision agriculture.

The programme offers opportunities to develop skills and knowledge to tackle the problems facing agriculture today. This programme also integrates a social dimension to technology, to enhance technology design, development and deployment and increase its impact.

LIAT has a strong focus on industry-relevant research and education, delivering agronomy training (BASIS) to the agri-food sector, and hosting regular industry events such as Breakfast Briefings, with many of our research projects including industry partners. This provides students with an excellent opportunity to engage with key stakeholders in the agri-food sector.

How You Study

Over the course of your PhD, you will be expected to complete an original piece of research that makes a substantial contribution to the existing scholarship on and knowledge of the subject under scrutiny. You will be guided throughout this process by a team of well-published supervisors, from whom you will receive feedback and advice. Your PhD project might cross disciplinary boundaries and focus on multiple subject areas. In such cases, we will support you by allocating supervisors in relevant fields.

Students are required to produce appropriate written work which will be submitted to their supervisors for feedback and to agree on the next stage of work. Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, a significant amount of time will be spent on independent study and research. Students will meet regularly with their academic supervisor(s), but the regularity of these meetings will vary depending on individual requirements, subject area, and the stage of the programme.

Prioritising Face-to-Face Teaching

At the University of Lincoln, we strive to ensure our students’ experience is engaging, supportive, and academically challenging. Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we have adapted to Government guidance to keep our students, staff, and community safe. All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions in England were lifted in February 2022 under the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19, and we have embraced a safe return to in-person teaching on campus. Where appropriate, face-to-face teaching is enhanced by the use of digital tools and technology and may be complemented by online opportunities where these support learning outcomes.

We are fully prepared to adapt our plans if changes in Government guidance make this necessary, and we will endeavour to keep current and prospective students informed.

How You Are Assessed

A PhD is usually awarded based on the quality and originality of a student's thesis and their ability to present and successfully defend the chosen research topic in an oral examination (viva voce). Students are also expected to demonstrate how their research findings have contributed to knowledge in the subject area or developed existing theories or understandings.

Postgraduate Research Enrolment

To support your experience within the postgraduate research community, new students are encouraged to enrol in October, February, or May. In addition to meeting peers across the University who are starting their research programme at the same time, there is access to a central training programme designed around the first three months of study, and targeted support aligned to each stage of the postgraduate research journey. Alternative enrolment dates may be agreed upon with your supervisor on an individual basis.

Entry Requirements 2023-24

Students should possess at least a second-class honours degree in a relevant subject such as Crop and Plant Sciences, Agricultural Technology, Horticulture, Agriculture, or Ecology. We will also consider students from other disciplines such as socio-economics sciences discussing technology and others, where they can demonstrate relevant skills and genuine interest.

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages.

Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with a minimum of 6.0 in each element.

If you do not meet the above IELTS requirements, you may be able to take part in one of our Pre-session English and Academic Study Skills courses. These specialist courses are designed to help students meet the English language requirements for their intended programme of study.

Fees and Funding

For eligible students, there are more ways than ever before to fund your postgraduate study, whether you want to do a taught or research course. For those wishing to undertake a Master's course, UK students can apply for a loan as a contribution towards the course and living costs. Loans are also available to those who wish to undertake doctoral study. The University offers a number of scholarships and funded studentships for those interested in postgraduate study.

Career Opportunities

With a clear focus on improving productivity, efficiency, and sustainability through innovation, researchers at the Lincoln Institute for Agri-food Technology (LIAT) are engaged in impactful research designed to make a difference across the food chain.