MPhil/PhD Studentship in Resilience to unknown threats: exploring novel threats to food supply networks

Investing in excellence: studentship opportunities

The University of Derby has an opportunity for a full-time postgraduate research studentship in the Business, Economic and Social Policy area of research in the Derby International Business School.

The successful applicant will receive a maintenance stipend (based on the minimum stipend defined by UKRI, currently £21,805 for the academic year 2026/27) and home MPhil/PhD tuition fees (£5,238 - subject to amendment) only up to the target submission date.

The intended intake period is January 2027.

International applicants may need to defer to March 2027 to allow sufficient time for CAS issuance and visa processing.

Please note: If your application is successful and you are assessed as international for fees purposes, you will need to pay the difference between the home fees and the international fees.

The successful applicant will be expected to complete their MPhil/PhD within 3 years on the MPhil/PhD route, contribute to the College REF submission and get involved in the wider research activities of the College.

Applicants will become part of a friendly and welcoming team and will be supported and managed by their supervisors.

The vacancy details are as follows:

Project description

Over the years, supply chains have become more complex, more interdependent and more vulnerable, making resilience an indispensable business capability. The need for resilience capabilities has reached high levels of urgency in the wake of recent and current conflicts around the world, unprecedented rupture in geopolitics, climate emergency, pandemics, technological changes, systemic competition etc. The economic, social and environmental impacts of these are so consequential that resilient supply chains are now viewed as national security matter.

Supply chains are complex adaptive networks that can change and reorganise to adapt to prevailing challenges. As these complex networks operate and interact with both exogenous and endogenous entities whilst adapting to threats, there is emergence of situations, circumstances, events, further threats and vulnerabilities that may not be known a-priori, and these can be seen as novelties.

Whilst a range of literature have explored strategies to address known threats and vulnerabilities, novel threats and vulnerabilities are under-explored particularly in supply networks. Novel threats and vulnerabilities affect all kinds of supply networks including food supply networks which have significant exposure. With the food sector being the UK’s biggest industrial sector, developing resilience capabilities in this sector is of high importance.

Purpose/objectives

The purpose of this research is to explore novel threats and vulnerabilities to food supply networks in order to develop resilience strategies. This will be carried out from three perspectives: systems thinking (complexity science); futures thinking (foresight); and artificial intelligence (AI). The objectives of the study are:

• to explore the phenomena behind novel threats and vulnerabilities in food supply networks, the drivers, patterns of interactions, characteristics;
• to explore how methodologies from systems thinking, futures thinking and artificial intelligence can be leveraged and deployed to explore, map, model and study food supply networks;
• to develop a conceptual framework that can be used to provide strategic resilience capabilities to novel threats and vulnerabilities;
• to assess the validity and applicability of the conceptual framework by seeking the views of senior leaders and practitioners in food supply networks who are involved in risk management and resilience.

Potential project impact 

The successful candidate will work within the Process Thinking cluster, a research group at the Centre for Supply Chain Improvement, Derby International Business School. The cluster aims to be a thought leader in supply network and business resilience. This project will support the cluster’s growth and contribute to the Research Excellence Framework 2029 outputs by: developing original research to be published in high ranking journals as well as policy documents for relevant stakeholders; support knowledge exchange activities particularly, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs); help develop and deepen collaborations; and explore funding opportunities.

• Who are we looking for? We seek an academically grounded and entrepreneurial minded candidate given our focuses on advanced/applied research, knowledge exchange and research commercialisation
• What’s in it for you? You’ll have the opportunity to work in cutting-edge research with highly experienced academics in a Gold-rated top University to kick-start your career

To apply

Please review our entry requirements before submitting your application and check out the 'Getting Started' section below.

Completed applications should be submitted via our online application system. It is important that you quote the funding reference: QR_DIBS_FOODSUPPLY_2627

Apply online

Closing dates for applications: Sunday 8 November 2026.

Interviews: 20 November 2026 to 26 November 2026.

If you have not been invited for an interview by the interview date, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.

For other enquiries which are subject-specific please contact:

Dr Tony Anosike - A.Anosike@derby.ac.uk

Dr Justin Okoli - J.Okoli@derby.ac.uk

Getting started

Before you begin your application, make sure you have the following:

Studentship funding reference code

It is important that you quote the funding reference: QR_DIBS_FOODSUPPLY_2627 in your application, at the top of your personal statement.

Required Documents

Before submitting your application, please ensure you upload all required documents to enable us to assess your application fully. References may be provided at a later stage.

Personal statement

A 500-word personal statement outlining your suitability for the studentship project. This is a mandatory requirement and you must upload it into your application. You should include your reasons for applying for the studentship, your experience in the field, how you feel you would benefit from studying and relevant information about your previous studies.

Your CV

A CV outlining your academic and professional experience.

Qualifications

Your qualification details including grades and dates taken. You will have the opportunity to upload scanned copies of your qualification certificates and transcripts in the application. If you have no formal qualifications, you can also state this in your application.

Photo ID

A scanned copy of your photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence. This will help us verify your application to study with us.

Academic references

Two signed academic references. This is optional at application stage but highly encouraged. If successful in your application, two academic references will be a mandatory requirement of admission. The references should be in written format, signed and dated from either a supervisor or tutor from your most recent studies.

For international applicants

The University of Derby has a network of international agents and representatives in different regions. For postgraduate research degree applications, depending on your country of origin, you may need to apply through an agent. You can contact any of our agents and apply to study with us through them.

Some agents may charge for provision of services so please check this directly with the agent. Please be aware that, if you apply directly to the University without going through an agent, we may contact you and you will be required to re-apply through an agent or representative before your application can be considered.