Plant Protein Processing and Digestibility for Sustainable Animal Nutrition

About the project

About the Project One full-time PhD scholarship is available in the School of Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds, commencing in February 2027. The studentship is associated with PROFEED (Progressive Solutions for European Feed Autonomy through Sustainable Plant Protein Value Chains), a Horizon Europe research and innovation project. The funding covers UK tuition fees as well as a UKRI matched stipend (currently £21,805 in 2026/27). International Overseas rated candidates are welcome to apply but would have to pay the difference between UK and International fees. For more information on funding eligibility, please see the funding section. To see the full project advert, click the link to the University webpage. Europe remains highly dependent on imported protein-rich feed ingredients, particularly soybean meal. Increasing the use of locally grown crops could strengthen feed security, reduce environmental pressures and support more resilient agricultural systems. However, successful adoption requires robust evidence that alternative ingredients deliver appropriate protein quality, digestibility, safety and animal performance. Focusing on the University of Leeds research programme, this PhD will investigate the nutritional and functional quality of European-grown protein crops and the ingredients and feed formulations produced from them. Selected materials, including soybean, lupin, alfalfa and other legumes or forage crops, will be evaluated before and after sustainable processing. The project will use Leeds expertise in plant-protein chemistry, protein quality and in vitro digestion, including an INFOGEST-based model adapted to simulate porcine gastrointestinal digestion. The PhD project involves: Characterisation of raw and processed protein crops and feed ingredients, including protein content, amino acid composition and relevant techno-functional properties. Quantification of key antinutritional factors, such as tannins, phytic acid, saponins, oligosaccharides and quinolizidine alkaloids, and assess their implications for feed quality. Determination how fractionation, hydrolysis, fermentation, drying and other processing strategies influence protein structure, nutritional quality and antinutritional-factor reduction. Evaluation of protein and feed digestibility using adapted in vitro gastrointestinal models, including protein hydrolysis, amino acid bioaccessibility and digestible indispensable amino acid profiles. Integration of in vitro findings with outcomes from the University of Leeds pig-feeding study, including growth, feed-conversion efficiency, health and carcass-quality indicators, to identify the most promising crop-processing-formulation combinations. Opportunity for involvement in other animal species feed applications i.e. marine through partner in Murcia, Spain. Opportunity for engagement in other consortium-wide project activities. The successful candidate will receive interdisciplinary training in plant-protein analysis, analytical biochemistry, in vitro digestion, feed science and data interpretation, while contributing to an international programme seeking to reduce reliance on imported soybean meal and accelerate sustainable European feed innovation. In addition to most of the experimental work will be carried out at the University of Leeds, there is involvement of Prof Francisco M Goycoolea, Universidad de Murcia, as external supervisor, providing an opportunity for the student to conduct some of the work at Universidad de Murcia, Spain. Information about the Award We are offering 1 full-time PHD scholarship in the School of Food Science and Nutrition for one UK candidate, covering a maintenance grant of £21,805 per year in 2026/27and UK tuition fees for 3.5 years, all subject to satisfactory progress. Duration of the Award Full-time (3.5 years). The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to three years, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Other Conditions Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree. Awards must be taken up by 1st February 2027. Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship.

Research areas