DTP 2020-2021 University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews is renowned for the quality and impact of its research and teaching and the strong connection between them is fundamental to our reputation. Our University Strategy 2018-2023 (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/about/governance/university-strategy/) sets out how we will act on our core qualities and key ambitions to consolidate and grow in size, scale, and impact. These ambitions are expressed in four themes: World-leading St Andrews, Diverse St Andrews, Global St Andrews and Entrepreneurial St Andrews - themes well aligned with the EPSRC's priority areas.

St Andrews has the expertise to significantly contribute to national priorities such as the blue economy, advanced materials and photonics, health and the digital economy and policy development. We are committed to interdisciplinary research, and it is through this and our existing strengths that we intend to increase the scale and impact of our research. Identified priority areas relevant to EPSRC are: Evolution, Behaviour and Environment; Materials for the Modern World; Health, Infectious Disease, and Wellbeing; and Sustainability.

The EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership scheme enables St Andrews to nurture an excellent research environment through funding PhD students in areas within the EPSRC remit. PhD students in St Andrews are at the heart of St Leonard's College which provides opportunities for postgraduates to come together, socially and intellectually, and to make connections across disciplines.

All research areas foster high quality research with vibrant seminar series, which provide a source of external visitors and interactions which create a sense of community and expose students to the research within Schools. Students can present their research in the School, and have access to support, including funds, to present their research externally. The new "Global Fellows" program, focused on bringing the best talented scholars to St Andrews, coupled with existing programmes, augment our vibrant research environment.

The University provides a suite of workshops and programmes for our PhD students focused on improving the research capability and widen employability inside and outside of academia. Our GRADskills Programme provides over 50 different transferable skills workshops, and all PhD students can access the Professional Skills Curriculum (PSC) programme (endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management) with over 120 workshops annually focused on professional skills employers value. Doctoral students can also be matched with an external coach to help their personal development and participate in a peer mentoring scheme which supports the transition of students arriving at St Andrews.

Relevant information about the application process for prospective EPSRC funded students (and for academics seeking to supervise a funded student) is available on our website (https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/postgraduate/scholarships/research-council/epsrc/). We encourage applicants to speak to academics within the relevant School prior to application.

PhD supervision at St Andrews involves at least two people: a principal supervisor and a secondary supervisor or mentor. This breadth of experience and knowledge across the supervisory team ensures our students are well supported.

PhD students are encouraged to participate in our active public engagement programmes and we are committed to our PhD students gaining experience of industrial working environments and approaches. We have strong links with industrial partners and are closely connected to Innovation Centres in Scotland and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). In addition, we offer courses on entrepreneurship and industry skills.

PhD students at St Andrews have the opportunity to tutor and demonstrate for our undergraduates, with bespoke training, and students can also enroll in teaching-related modules and be supported to apply for an AdvanceHE fellowship.