Key information
- Funding
- Self-funded
- School
- Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Location
- Edinburgh
- Award
- PhD
- Delivery type
- Full-time
- Start date
- September
Yeast physiology with a distinct molecular biological basis is a major research area within Life Sciences and the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD). Many projects relate to the behaviour of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in brewery and distillery fermentations and include the genetics and biochemistry of sugar uptake in yeast, the regulation of ester production during fermentation, the effect of metal ions on yeast fermentation performance, the uptake and metabolism of sulphate, the stress effects of high gravity brewing, and the influence of acid washing on yeast quality.
Research projects
The ICBD was a partner in a collaborative project to develop the first genetically modified brewing yeast approved for production use in the UK. Researchers are also using yeast to detect mutagenic chemicals in food. Factors that influence beer and spirit instability and flavour are also being studied.
In addition to the applied research on yeast, the group also studies yeast, as a model eukaryote, to answer fundamental biological questions. For example, the response of organisms to environmental stress, the ageing process and enzyme structure/function relationships, in particular an enzyme which produces an essential substrate for nucleotide and amino acid metabolism.
Entry requirements
Candidate criteria
English language requirements
If your first language is not English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.
The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no score lower than 6.0.
If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies.
For more information about your application and our English Language requirements, please see Section 10 of our page on English Language Requirements as part of your application.
Funding information
| Status | Full Time |
|---|---|
| Scotland | £5,151 |
| England / Wales / N Ireland | £5,151 |
| International | £26,296 |
- Status: Your residency status is usually defined as the country where you have been ordinarily resident for the three years before the start of your course.
- International: 'International' includes applicants from European Union countries who do not hold Pre-Settled or Settled status in UK. (This does not include students from the Republic of Ireland - see above).
We offer a number of competitive funded scholarships for research degrees. Full or partial support may be available for well-qualified candidates from UK research councils, research pools, charities or industry.
View our full range of scholarships.
Why Heriot-Watt
We have been producing career-ready graduates since 1821. With our roots as the world’s first Mechanics Institute, Heriot-Watt is a pioneering university with a global reach.
At Heriot-Watt, learning goes beyond the lecture theatre. We tackle real world challenges through extraordinary research – from climate change to protecting our oceans, to advancing life-saving medical breakthroughs and shaping the next generation of AI. We are also committed to developing forward-thinking design and sustainable business practices that impact industries worldwide. On our campuses you’ll find some of the world’s most advanced facilities, while our strong industry links set you up for career success. This is why almost 90% of our graduates are in employment or further education (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
