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- Tasks: Launch a science-based company tackling global challenges in health, climate, and agriculture.
- Company: Join Deep Science Ventures, a leader in venture creation and innovation.
- Benefits: Tuition covered, £2,800 monthly stipend, and majority ownership in your venture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while building a global science company in just three years.
- Qualifications: Impact-driven with a Master's in science/engineering; entrepreneurial spirit required.
- Other info: Remote work with access to a global network of science entrepreneurs and top-tier investors.
Venture Science Doctorate: venture-creation PhD program (funded scholarship)
Join to apply for the Venture Science Doctorate: venture-creation PhD program (funded scholarship) role at Deep Science Ventures.
The Venture Science Doctorate (VSD) program, 3rd cohort, starting January 2026. Applications for the January 2026 intake are now CLOSED. You can still submit an application if you\’re interested in being considered for future programs.
About VSD
The world\’s first 3-year venture creation focused PhD program run by Deep Science Venture College at Woolf University: a globally recognised, decentralised institution widening access to higher education. Our focus is exclusively on solving global challenges in health, climate, agriculture and computation through science as the basis for designing research projects from first-principles, and creating new companies founded by candidates based on this research.
The VSD is backed by a philanthropic consortium of mission aligned Partners, including Schmidt Futures, Innovate UK and SPRIN-D (Germany), and embedded in a global R&D coalition of universities and national labs, including National Physical Laboratory, the James Hutton Institute, Imperial College, Max Planck, the University of Edinburgh, University College London, Goldsmiths, University of London, Cornell University, the Mayo Clinic, and many others.
Program outline
The aim of year 1 is for candidates to familiarise themselves with a given industry and map the landscape to identify areas of opportunity for high-impact venture creation. In a process called Scoping, candidates will identify the optimal solution to a given problem and – alongside accredited courses such as experimental design – perform lab work to develop their hypotheses, and contact partner research groups for further experimentation.
Year 2 is focused on invention and further developing the initial hypotheses, working within leading research groups to prove the technology against the original hypothesis and validate it through techno-economic analysis.
The goal for year 3 is building further on the research from the previous two years to develop a scalable technology capable of product market fit. If necessary, candidates may join multiple different research groups to do this. Having validated the technology, candidates will work with experienced venture partners to build a complementary team and a rock-solid investment case before venture incorporation and spin-out.
At incorporation, all the intellectual property is transferred into the new venture, which the candidate continues to lead as a co-founder, with continuous support from DSV.
The VSD program includes full details of the program, including FAQs and Prospectus Download available on the dedicated VSD site here.
Requirements
The program is full-time and primarily remote (from anywhere) with in-person study conducted in research laboratories. Applicants for VSD should be impact-driven, want to launch a science company using advanced research and be determined to do this in just a few years.
- You\’re impact-driven and have demonstrated interest in investigating or solving large-scale societal problems in climate, agriculture, health or computation;
- You want to build a global science-based company that will make a huge positive impact;
- You\’re entrepreneurial and can share examples of past experience related to innovation/new technology development/startups/etc.;
- You have a Masters degree related to science/engineering (BSc and equivalent also accepted, PhD also accepted);
- You\’re determined enough to spend 1 week, during the application process, finding an optimal approach to a societal problem in your own time, using Deep Science Ventures\’ scoping ideation methodology
We actively welcome candidates from any part of the world and any walks of life to apply – our primary focus is on mission alignment and the desire to create impact through science.
Benefits
Deep Science Ventures College will cover the tuition and all other expenses related to programme curriculum and research activities. Additionally, each student will receive a monthly stipend of £2,800 (living costs + health insurance subsidy) and upon spin-out you/your co-founder(s) will have the majority ownership in the venture. You\\\’ll join a global community of >200 science entrepreneurs across our portfolio and programs, work with some of the world\\\’s most entrepreneurial professors, research labs and government agencies supporting the VSD, and access top-tier investors/funders backing deeptech ventures.
About DSV
Deep Science Ventures is creating a future in which both humans and the planet can thrive. We use our unique venture creation process to create, invest in, and spin-out science companies. We empower entrepreneurial scientists to combine scientific expertise and models for business to synthesise high-impact ventures de novo. We are a team of operators who have founded companies and led the translation of science at some of the most respected universities, charities, funds, and government agencies. You will access our industry network and receive advice on follow-on fundraising strategy, including introductions to seed investors and potential customers from our global network. Furthermore, you will receive support with term sheet negotiation, grant applications to leverage further non-dilutive funding and value uplift, and access to a community of seasoned science founders in our portfolio. We offer mentorship and guidance through weekly deep-dive work sessions, access to our opportunity insights and knowledge base, a global network of experts, a community of other science founders working on launching their own companies, and a curated collection of resources and proprietary tools. To learn more about why we launched the VSD program, visit our article on Why we need to reinvent the PhD.
Seniority level
- Internship
Employment type
- Full-time
Job function
- Research
Industries
- IT Services and IT Consulting
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Venture Science Doctorate: venture-creation PhD program (funded scholarship) employer: Deep Science Ventures
Contact Detail:
Deep Science Ventures Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Venture Science Doctorate: venture-creation PhD program (funded scholarship)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or past participants of the Venture Science Doctorate programme. They can give you insider tips and maybe even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with anyone from Deep Science Ventures, make sure to express your enthusiasm for solving global challenges. Let them see how driven you are to make an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the latest trends in health, climate, agriculture, and computation. Being well-versed in these areas will help you stand out as a candidate who’s ready to tackle big problems.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, you’ll find all the resources you need to ace the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Venture Science Doctorate: venture-creation PhD program (funded scholarship)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your passion for science and venture creation, so don’t hold back on sharing your unique experiences and motivations.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to align with the VSD program's goals. Highlight your impact-driven mindset and any relevant experience in tackling societal challenges, as this is what we're really looking for!
Showcase Your Entrepreneurial Spirit: We love candidates who are entrepreneurial! Share examples of your past experiences related to innovation or startups. This will help us understand how you can contribute to building a science-based company.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and can consider you for future programs. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Deep Science Ventures
✨Know Your Impact
Before the interview, think deeply about how your background and experiences align with the mission of Deep Science Ventures. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've tackled societal challenges in health, climate, agriculture, or computation. This will show your genuine interest in making a positive impact.
✨Master the Scoping Methodology
Familiarise yourself with the scoping ideation methodology mentioned in the job description. Prepare to explain how you would approach identifying an optimal solution to a societal problem. This demonstrates not only your understanding of the program but also your proactive mindset.
✨Showcase Your Entrepreneurial Spirit
Bring along examples of your past experiences related to innovation, technology development, or startups. Whether it's a project from your studies or a personal venture, sharing these stories will highlight your entrepreneurial spirit and readiness for the challenges of the VSD programme.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the programme and its structure. Inquire about the types of research groups you might work with or how the mentorship process works. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the programme aligns with your goals.
