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Queen's University Belfast

Food Safety & Biotechnology - Research

Research Strategies
This programme focuses on applied aspects of advanced and emerging analytical technologies to address current issues in food safety, nutrition and food supply. It covers the entire food chain from farm to fork and places a strong emphasis on the link between improved food safety and nutrition and improved public health.

Learning Outcomes
A research degree offers students an opportunity to foster their capacity for independent research and critical thought. It also allows students to explore an area of interest and so understand and solve theoretical and practical problems within the field. Undertaking a research degree can enhance a student's written and oral communication skills.

Entry requirements

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students
For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.
•Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
•Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

Careers or further progression

Career Prospects
Introduction
Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes alongside sterling integration with business experts helps our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Further enquiries

People teaching you
Mr Peter Millar
Postgraduate Research Administrator
School of Biological Sciences
Contact: biosciences-pg@qub.ac.uk

Comment

Food Safety and Biotechnology highlights
Industry Links
•The School has a wide range of strong, international links with governments, academia and industry.

World Class Facilities
•Students will be based in modern, world-class laboratory facilities equipped with state-of-the-art, highly advanced analytical instruments.

Student Experience
•Students may gain excellent practical experience of advanced technology and bioanalytical techniques for food safety analysis and monitoring, such as: GC, HPLC and UPLC separation platforms ICP, IR, qToF and QqQ mass spectrometers Microbiological research facilities Antibody production and biomolecule binder development Cell culture suite and bioanalytical assay detection systems NMR, NIR and Raman spectrometers Proteomic and metabolomic profiling tools RT-PCR, transcriptomic profiling, Next-generation sequencing Multiplex biosensor platforms and LFD development.

Facilities
Full-time research students will have access to a shared office space and access to a desk with personal computer and internet access.

Assessment method

Assessment processes for the Research Degree differ from taught degrees. Students will be expected to present drafts of their work at regular intervals to their supervisor who will provide written and oral feedback; a formal assessment process takes place annually.

This Annual Progress Review requires students to present their work in writing and orally to a panel of academics from within the School. Successful completion of this process will allow students to register for the next academic year.

The final assessment of the research degree is both oral and written. Students will submit their thesis to an internal and external examining team who will review the written thesis before inviting the student to orally defend their work at a Viva Voce.

Feedback
Supervisors will offer feedback on draft work at regular intervals throughout the period of registration on the degree

Application date

How to Apply
Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal go.qub.ac.uk/pgapply and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Find a supervisor
If you're interested in a particular project, we suggest you contact the relevant academic before you apply, to introduce yourself and ask questions.

To find a potential supervisor aligned with your area of interest, or if you are unsure of who to contact, look through the staff profiles linked here.

www.qub.ac.uk/Study/PostgraduateStudy/Postgraduate-research/find-phd-sup...

You might be asked to provide a short outline of your proposal to help us identify potential supervisors.

Postgraduate Research
There is no standard closing date. You should however check both the University's website and refer to the relevant School/Institute webpage for information on deadline dates for postgraduate funding applications, as these will also determine when your application for admission should be submitted.

Research areas

Research Strengths
Advanced and emerging technological and analytical platforms (biosensors, isotopic and omics)
Animal food and feed safety
Animal health and disease diagnostics
Global food security
Food and nutrition metabolomics
Food and nutrition quality measurements
Food chemistry
Food safety detection methodology
Food traceability and authenticity
Immunodiagnostics for food contaminant and toxin detection
Natural compounds and their health applications
Novel and functional foods
Therapeutic biomolecules