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Plant Science

Sainsbury PhD Studentships

Gatsby attracts and develops exceptional talent among young plant scientists, who will become tomorrow’s leaders

A leaf under a microscope

Growing the future of plant science

This long-running programme has developed some of the highest quality plant science researchers in universities, and has influenced a large group who now work in teaching, commerce, finance, policy and industry.

It is the recognised gold standard for students taking a PhD in plant sciences and Sainsbury students consistently perform at a level above that of their contemporaries. This is in part due to the rigorous selection criteria that identify only the very best students, but is enhanced by the annual training weekend held each Easter in Cambridge. During the event students are mentored in giving talks, producing posters, and writing papers and dissertations, and have the chance to interact with professional plant scientists on a variety of topics.

How the programme works

Gatsby’s Plant Science Advisors select up to three Sainsbury postgraduate research students each year, after interviewing up to eight candidates.

The PhD studentships provide an enhanced stipend comparable to Wellcome studentships, as well as laboratory expenses and university fees for four years. Students are encouraged to spend part of their studentship at another university or institute to gain additional experience.

The Sainsbury Plant Sciences PhD programme plays a crucial role in training graduate cohorts from across the UK. Students establish professional networks at the very beginning of their career that they build on in later years whether they stay in research or not. Our goal is to embed plant sciences in as many walks of life as possible.

- Jane Langdale FRS, Professor of Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford and Former Chair of the Gatsby Plant Science Advisors

Recipients of Sainsbury PhD Studentships

The Gatsby Charitable Foundation

Gatsby is a foundation set up by David Sainsbury to realise his charitable objectives.

We work across a number of other sectors across the globe.