DTP 2018-19 University of Nottingham

Postgraduate Research (PGR) underpins the Research Strategy of the University of Nottingham (UoN). The EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) makes a significant and highly influential contribution to the University of Nottingham PGR strategy. Students are at the centre of this process, with the goal of providing a supportive, yet challenging, environment that instils new ways of working and develops independence alongside fostering collaborations. This will deliver highly skilled researchers that impact both locally and on the International stage to the economic competitiveness of the UK. Guided by EPSRC recommendations, & aligned with national best practice, funding is used strategically to promote innovative research & to develop research teams within and beyond the University. We aim to develop long-term, meaningful industrial partnerships, using studentship funds to leverage cross-disciplinary & industrial support. We provide high quality research training aligned to EPSRC priority areas that address key research targets of the University and industry; particular focus are priority areas aligned to the University's Beacons of Excellence, including alternative energy, green chemistry, food manufacture for optimal health, healthcare technologies, manufacturing the future and the digital economy.

Our Graduate School delivers bespoke, high quality PGR and development opportunities for our doctoral students (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/graduateschool). Increased emphasis is towards alignment to Industrial Strategy goals and the development of enterprise and entrepreneurial skills, enabling commercialisation of scientific research and inventions. Our provision is aligned with the Researcher Development Framework and the RCUK Statement of Expectations for Doctoral Training, and we draw on and share best practice across the university through our University DTP network and Faculty PGR forums. Our EPSRC DTP is overseen by a DTP Executive Committee, with senior representation from the Faculties of Science and Engineering, the Graduate School and relevant subject areas, with specific representation from Mathematical Sciences and targeted consideration of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. This Committee provides oversight of the allocation, data capture and reporting, and evaluation of policy implementation and outcomes.

The DTP Executive confirm funding allocations annually in Nov/Dec; this is communicated to prospective supervisors and students by January to enable the highest quality students to be recruited. All doctoral studentship opportunities at UoN are promoted from dedicated webpages (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/doctoral-training-centres/our-centres.aspx) and are part of the online postgraduate prospectus (http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/index.aspx).?Our flexible use of DTP funding enables us to respond strategically by carefully targeting studentship allocations and funding through a range of mechanisms:
Fundamental Research studentships focusing upon fundamental subjects and underlying blue skies research, leading to pioneering ideas that underpin future innovations.
Thematic Research studentships that are delivered via cohorts aligned to RCUK and University of Nottingham priorities, particularly our Beacons of Research Excellence.
CASE studentships promoting user engagement and high-impact research by encouraging links with key industrial users. We prioritise allocation to early career researchers to support the development of long-term relationships with industry.
Doctoral Prizes to reward excellent students in their transition to academic or industrial careers; emphasising the development of independence and maximum impact delivery.
Vacation Bursaries supporting high achieving undergraduates to gain experience of cutting edge research through paid summer placements, to encourage them to consider postgraduate research careers and broadening access to and supporting diversity in our STEM research.