The Boots Company CTP

We are recruiting a cohort of PhD students to start on a programme in October 2024 as part of the Biosciences and Biotechnology Research Council's (BBSRC) Collaborative Training Partnership (CTP) initiative.

The Boots Company plc is partnering with The University of Manchester to develop enterprising and entrepreneurial, highly trained doctorate scientists with transferable research and business skills through the BBSRC CTP scheme.

These skills will allow PhD students who complete the programme to make valuable contributions to the UK economy in tackling some of the bioscience challenges of the future.

About the programme

The projects within this CTP will:

  • focus on delivering world-class bioscience research in skin health to help us tackle important scientific challenges associated with skin's functional decline with age;
  • translate novel scientific insights into education and training content;
  • support the development of new therapeutic interventions, including both products and services, to help all people maximise their skin health throughout their lifetime;
  • address the lack of diversity within skin and cosmetics research, with project outcomes and aims designed from the outset to avoid delivering conclusions and insights that are only relevant to a specific skin type or ethnicity.

PhD students will benefit from the opportunity to go on placements within the No7 Beauty Company Research team and wider Boots Company plc business functions. Learn more about skincare research PhD opportunities with the No7 Beauty Company.

Short projects will be designed to expand your technical skills in an applied way, and build more business-oriented skills and knowledge.

Available projects

Projects available for entry in October 2024:

How to apply

If you are interested in applying, please make contact with the primary supervisor for your chosen project to discuss the project in more detail.

Full details on how to apply can be found on the main how to apply page, but the specific information you need to be aware of is noted below.

On the online application form, select the relevant PhD subject area as noted on the individual project listing, plus the supervisor’s name.

You must download and complete our anonymised CV template (Word). This will be used by the supervisory team and recruitment panel to shortlist candidates.

On the online application form, include your anonymised CV in the 'supporting statement' category (you are not required to submit a separate supporting statement) alongside all other documents.

The selection committee undertake blinded shortlisting and we require each applicant to comply with this. All documentation/information submitted to the online system will not be shared with the selection committee and are used for internal administrative purposes only (such as to check academic/English eligibility).

For the funding sources section on the online application form:

  • Select 'Yes' from the drop-down
  • Type of Funding: Research Council
  • Awarding Body: Boots CTP
  • Status of Funding – Awarded
  • Funding Covers – Fully Funded
  • Leave the remaining boxes blank

We welcome applications from all backgrounds and seek to create equality of opportunity for all our applicants and postgraduate researchers. See our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion statement.

The University is positive about flexible study. Reasonable adjustments may be considered.

Eligibility

Applicants must have obtained or be about to obtain a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an appropriate area of science or technology.

These studentships are available to UK and international applicants nationals and provide funding for tuition fees and stipend at the UKRI rate, subject to eligibility, for four years.

We are only able to offer a limited number of full studentships to applicants outside the UK. Therefore, full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality international candidates due to the competitive nature of this scheme, following interview days.

International applicants must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before applying. English language requirements can be found on the how to apply page.

For full details on eligibility, including qualifications and residence criteria, visit the UKRI website.