Research and innovation

Our world-leading, collaborative research community spans the full breadth of biology, from genes, cells and human anatomy, to biotechnology and the biodiversity and climate crises. We're ranked UK top five for biological sciences research and number one for biomedical research in the UK (REF 2014).

Neuron cell system
Research themes 
Arthur Willis Controlled Environment Centre
Research facilities 
host pathogen interaction
Research centres and institutes 
Researcher in the lab
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Latest research

Covid-19 antibody tests

Scientists collaborate to understand antibody responses in Covid-19

A major interdisciplinary study has brought together teams of engineers, scientists and clinicians from across the University of Sheffield to find a way to manufacture SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) proteins en masse to set up over 2000 antibody tests.

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Repairing breaks in DNA

Experts discover toolkit to repair DNA breaks associated with ageing, cancer and motor neurone disease

A new ‘toolkit’ to repair damaged DNA that can lead to ageing, cancer and motor neurone disease (MND) has been discovered by scientists at the Universities of Sheffield and Oxford.

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A tractor spreads rock dust on a field

Applying rock dust to croplands could absorb up to 2 billion tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere

Adding crushed rock dust to farmland could draw down up to two billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air per year and help meet key global climate targets, according to a major new study led by the University of Sheffield.

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PhD opportunities

Students come from all over the world to study for their PhD in one of our world-class research groups.

Current PhD opportunities

Independent research fellowships

Our programme of externally funded Independent Research Fellowships is designed to establish you as a research leader.

More information

Seminar series

Our seminar series represents the wide range of research interests within the departments and are presented by experts in particular areas.

Upcoming seminars

Research ethics

In every discipline undertaking excellent research requires rigour, respect and responsibility - integrity as well as intellect.

Research ethics

Faculty of Science strategic themes

We have four strategic themes, from the fundamental to translational, drawn from our rich history, our skills and experience, and are framed around our critical mass of excellent research.

Find out more

Contact us

Find contact details for research staff across the three departments of Animal and Plant Sciences, Biomedical Science, and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

Our people