Fully Funded PhD Studentship Evaluation of Disparate Substrates for the Production of Mushrooms, Swansea University, UK

Fully Funded PhD Studentship Evaluation of Disparate Substrates for the Production of Mushrooms, Swansea University, UK

Swansea‘s Department of Biosciences Announce fully funded PhD studentship Evaluation of Disparate Substrates for the Production of Mushrooms, UK

Study Subject: Evaluation of Disparate Substrates for the Production of Mushrooms
Employer: Swansea University
Level: PhD

Scholarship Description: Swansea’s Department of Biosciences invites applications for a fully-funded PhD Studentship, funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) in collaboration with industrial partner Myco Solutions Ltd. Mushrooms constitute an important food commodity but also a source of valuable bioactive metabolites.  Commercial production of mushrooms has focussed on the field mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) grown on manure-based composts. However, there is considerable interest in the production of exotic mushrooms (Shiitake, oyster, beefsteak, ceps etc). The scholar will focus on two important commercial areas:
Investigate new inexpensive, sustainable substrates for the mass production of selected exotic mushrooms  Evaluation of end products to see if they have been altered in any way as regards their shelf life and nutritional value. This project will look at alternative sources of substrates and supplements and will be testing performance against traditional substrates/supplements, in terms of yield potential, cost-effectiveness and quality.

Eligibility:
# We are looking for a highly motivated student with a First or Upper Second Class Honours degree in Biological Sciences or related field.  A good knowledge of semiochemicals, insect physiology and insect behaviour is desirable.
# Applicants must be UK/EU citizens and resident, on enrolment, in the Convergence Area of Wales

Scholarship Application Deadline: 8 July 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application