Future 100: Leicester seeks next generation of world-changing researchers

The University of Leicester has today (Wednesday) called for the next generation of world-changing researchers to be part of its Future 100.

Following a £9 million investment announced in November by University President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, as a cornerstone of the University’s 10-year strategy, applications are now open for 100 funded PhD opportunities across all three Colleges, and its seven interdisciplinary Research Institutes.

This prestigious scholarship programme will nurture tomorrow’s research leaders in celebration of the University’s Centenary.

The Future 100 scholarships are central to a new strategy, Citizens of Change: Our Second Century, which seeks to both reinforce and expand ambitious innovation, research and enterprise in Leicester over the next decade.

PhD projects are available across a wide range of disciplines, for example:

• The effect of healthy ageing and Alzheimer’s disease on higher-level cognitive functions crucial to daily living
• Investigating the susceptibility of tropical forests to climate change
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in marketing: exploring changing consumer identities
• Black British experiences in 18th and 19th Century England and Wales

Professor Philip Baker, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Enterprise at the University of Leicester, said: “Nurturing the next generation of early-career researchers is a key aim of the University of Leicester’s research strategy. As we set out on our second Century, we are committed to our postgraduate researchers, those at the very start of our research pipeline.

“We recognise and value the huge contribution they make in delivering our ambitious research mission.

“With a quarter of the projects offered through our interdisciplinary Research Institutes, we are committed to addressing contemporary global challenges that span the breadth of subject areas.”

Future 100 opportunities are available within all five of Leicester’s refreshed Research Institutes, which serve as flagships for driving increased research in areas of strategic importance;

• Digital Culture;
• Environmental Futures;
• Precision Medicine;
• Structural and Chemical Biology;
• Space Science;

As well as within our institutes for Advanced Studies and for Inclusivity in Higher Education.

Interdisciplinary programmes, such as an available PhD project exploring Space Policy in the Global Space Age, will draw on Leicester expertise in multiple fields to further our understanding of some of the most important questions of our time.

In addition to the expertise of experienced supervisors across the University, research career development opportunities for all PhD and early-career researchers are offered by Leicester’s Doctoral College. Support ranges from formal training sessions to networking and other generic skills growth.

Leicester has a long-standing and proud research heritage. These new PhD scholarships, complementing our other investments in research, will be critical to the University’s strategic research mission which seeks to attract the brightest and most talented young investigators to join an environment where they can flourish and be successful.

PhDs funded by this initiative will commence in the 2022/23 academic year. Apply now for your funded PhD, applications close on Friday 11 March 2022.