DTP 2020-2021 Cranfield University

An exclusively postgraduate focus; world-class, industrial-scale facilities; passionate experts; and our global community all add up to make Cranfield University a unique place to learn and to undertake research. Our closeness to business means we offer relevant, practical education that is firmly based on our transformational research spanning the technology readiness levels enabling us to make significant contributions to the world around us for over 70 years. We are ranked in the top ten in the UK for commercial research, consultancy and professional development. According to the Research Excellence Framework 2014, 81% of our research was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Cranfield's research addresses eight multi-disciplinary areas: Aerospace, Defence & Security, Energy & Power, Environment & Agrifood, Leadership & Management, Manufacturing, Transport Systems and Water. Our outstanding transformational research therefore provides a strong research culture in which students can carry out excellent research.

Our EPSRC DTP will support 3-year studentships (or part time equivalent) across EPSRC's remit, spanning the whole spectrum of our 8 multidisciplinary themes. We will prioritise proposals involving early career researchers and staff new to Cranfield. Collaboration with an industry partner with a financial commitment will be a requirement. We will use a proportion of our DTP funding to support strategic bids including new investigator awards, Global Challenge Research Fund bids, and programme grant bids. We will fund one Doctoral Prize to support one of the very best EPSRC PhD students from any university to undertake a Fellowship at Cranfield for 2 years.

All of our research degree students (ca. 750) are part of a cohort who come together through the Cranfield Doctoral Network (CDN) which runs various events and an annual, university-wide conference. The programme for the CDN is co-created with the students. Each multidisciplinary theme also has a Doctoral Community (Doc Com) led by a Theme Lead which runs events, seminars and discussion groups specific to the theme. The Doc Com also provides a focus for delivery of transferable skills training through the Centre for Andragogy and Academic Skills - the Cranfield Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme, based on the national Vitae researcher development framework. Individual research groups also run their own research-focused communities of practice, all of which goes to create a vibrant research culture.

Students are encouraged to join Cranfield at one of three set intake dates so that they can start to feel part of a cohort from day one. They are warmly welcomed by academic and professional service unit staff during welcome week, with a bespoke programme being provided for research degree students. They are assigned an expert supervision team which includes two supervisors a pastoral advisor and where appropriate a mentor or industrial advisor. A progress review team guides each student through a supportive process with feedback to completion within 3 years.

Academics at Cranfield can apply for DTP studentships through an open call for proposals. Applications will be reviewed by a DTP Panel including an independent academic reviewer at regular, scheduled meetings. Details and an application form will be posted on the Cranfield Intranet Research pages:
https://intranet.cranfield.ac.uk/RFS/Pages/EPSRC-DTP%20Call.aspx

Contact Michelle Carter: M.Carter@cranfield.ac.uk who can also assist in writing adverts.

Students can find out more about these exciting studentship opportunities and how to apply for them on our website: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/research/phd.

They are also advertised through other routes including FindaPhD and various social media channels. Supervisors advertise their studentship opportunities through their academic profile pages: https://www.cranfield.ac.uk/people