DTP 2020-2021 University of Plymouth

The University of Plymouth has delivered over 150 years of internationally recognised excellence in research and education. Focusing on our strengths across the remit of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) will provide an outstanding training environment to support the development of the next generation of world-leading researchers. The EPSRC DTP will focus on our research strengths in Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE), where we lead the Supergen ORE Hub (www.supergen-ore.net), and Health Technology, an area of strategic growth representing cross disciplinary collaborations, including the Centre for Health Technology (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/centre-for-health-technology).

The EPSRC DTP will support a minimum of 11 studentships, split between starting in October 2020 and October 2021. Three or four-year studentships are available dependent on experience and research area. Four year studentships will include subject specific training in year one, with the opportunity to select from ORE or Health Technology modules. All students can attend industry or international academic placements, including the Ocean University of China (OUC) and the University of Western Australia (UWA). Through our collaboration with OUC there is an option of co-supervision and dual degrees. Students will have access to summer schools and training activities through PRIMaRE (www.primare.org), MARINET2 (www.marinet2.eu) and Supergen via ORE linked CDTs. Further opportunities include working with SME partners, such as app and robotics developers.

Students will access world-class research facilities, for example, the COAST Lab (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/coast-laboratory) and Wolfson Nanomagnetics Laboratory (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/business-partners/business-services/enterprise-solutions/facilities-equipment-and-workspace/wolfson-nanomagnetics-laboratory). All students are supported by the Doctoral College, which provides a Research Development Programme (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/research-degrees/doctoral-college/researcher-development-programme). Alongside tailored subject specific training, this provides tools for personal and professional development. All new students are required to attend an induction (also offered via webinar) outlining available support (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/induction-day-for-new-research-students).

The selection process will be managed by the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics (SECaM) Research Committee, led by the School Associate Head for Research and comprising research group leads, postgraduate research Coordinator and Research & Innovation representation, EPSRC DTP theme leads and DTP Director. For the 2020 cohort, supervisory teams will be invited to submit proposals in September 2019. Supervisory teams will include at least one ECR together with one or more experienced researchers, and will be encouraged to work closely with external partners to co-create the project, identify opportunities for placements, and maximise the potential for impact. Proposals will be assessed against published criteria, including research excellence, alignment with strategy and potential for impact.

Studentships will be advertised in the December before each cohort on our webpages (see example https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/research-degrees/economic-and-social), our postgraduate studentship page (https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/ postgraduate-research-studentships) and www.jobs.ac.uk. Shortlisting will be made in the following April and interviews will be conducted by an interview panel comprising supervisors, and chaired by the DTP Director or DTP theme lead, allowing the highest quality candidates to be selected. Further details of our research degrees can be found at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/student-life/your-studies/research-degrees/applicants-and-enquirers.