Climate-Smart Net-Zero Vertical Farming for Sustainable Food Production

Summary

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) projects that global food production must
increase by approximately 70% to meet the nutritional demands of an estimated 9 billion
people by 2050. In the UK, food supply chains have faced increasing scrutiny due to
geopolitical shifts such as Brexit and global disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. These
events have exposed vulnerabilities in the UK’s heavy reliance on fresh food imports and
underscored the need for resilient, localised food systems.

Vertical farming has emerged as a transformative solution to address these challenges. By
growing crops in stacked layers within controlled indoor environments, vertical farming
significantly reduces land use, mitigates the impact of climate variability, and enables yearround
production of high-quality crops.

However, the energy-intensive nature of vertical farming, particularly its reliance on artificial lighting, climate control, and irrigation systems, poses critical challenges to its economic viability and environmental sustainability.

This PhD project aims to design, develop, and optimise a climate-smart, net-zero vertical
farming system that integrates renewable energy technologies, resource recovery, and digital
control systems under circular economy principles. The overarching goal is to develop a
scalable, resilient, and energy-positive vertical farming prototype that contributes to net-zero
community infrastructure.

The key Objectives of this project are
1. System design
2. Innovative Technologies for Productivity Enhancement
3. Circular resource flows
4. Experimental and Theoretical Analysis
5. Socioeconomic analysis

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Research proposal of no more than 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

• Department for the Economy (DfE)
• Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

PhD Scholarships are available for this project and will cover:

• Tuition fees.
• A maintenance allowance of approximately £22,000 (exact rate is to be confirmed) per annum for three years, subject to satisfactory academic performance.
• A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of approximately £900 per annum.

To be eligible for these scholarships applicants must: be a UK or Irish national; or have pre-settled or settled status; or have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

Applicants should also meet the residency criteria which requires that they have lived in the EEA, Switzerland, the UK or Gibraltar for at least the three years preceding the start date of the research degree programme i.e. September 2027.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year, or part-time equivalent, funded from any source, including self-financing students, are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Students in full-time employment are not eligible for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

Part-time PhD scholarships may be available at a 0.5 pro rata rate of the full-time scholarship, which would require a six-year registration period.

The University will award a successful candidate one of the following scholarships for the project, depending on the funding available at the time an admissions offer is made:

1. Department for the Economy (DfE) PhD Scholarships
2. Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS)

Please note that the Terms and Conditions for scholarships are subject to change for 2027/28.