DTP 2020-2021 University of Kent

The University of Kent supports exceptional PhD candidates through its EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. EPSRC PhD studentships are available in the following schools:
School of Physical Sciences www.kent.ac.uk/physical-sciences/
School of Computing www.cs.kent.ac.uk/
School of Engineering and Digital Arts www.kent.ac.uk/engineering-digital-arts
School of Mathematics and Actuarial Science www.kent.ac.uk/mathematics-statistics-actuarial-science

Our aim is to align the EPSRC allocation with our strategic plans and key research strengths which are the development of our Interdisciplinary Centre for Cyber Security https://cyber.kent.ac.uk/index.html , Network and Wireless Communications, Mathematics, Healthcare Technologies and Materials, and the research priorities of our schools.

The School of Physical Sciences focuses on physics and chemistry with substantial research capacity in condensed matter, materials for energy, supramolecular chemistry, polymer materials and healthcare technologies. The School of Computing specialises in programme languages and computing, computational intelligence (including cognitive neuroscience) and security computing education data science. The School of Engineering and Digital Arts focuses on healthcare, manufacturing, energy, communications, RF & microwave technology, mobile computing and human computer interaction. The School of Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences has a broad portfolio in pure and applied mathematics, statistics and actuarial science with a longstanding reputation in integrable systems, algebra and applied statistics (particularly statistical ecology).

In autumn, schools are invited to submit PhD projects which both support their departmental objectives, EPSRC research areas and the EPSRC Outcomes Framework. Information about how to apply for studentships is made available via email and the staff intranet. A panel of senior academics reviews and selects the final projects for advertisement on the University PhD Funding website www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search/FNADEPSRCS02 , jobs.ac.uk, FindaPhD.com and social media by January at the latest. High-quality candidates are shortlisted and interviewed in the spring at school level, with applicants informed of the outcome by the end of March.

Students have access to excellent supervisory support, resources and subject-specific research training provided by schools. Our schools have strong links with a range of industrial partners who collaborate with Kent to deliver joint PhD projects, training or placement opportunities for students. Partners have included Microsoft Research, BT, GCHQ, NHS Trusts and DSTL. Kent is active in seeking out new partnerships in line with its research interests. All students will attend a 1st year PhD workshop organised by the Graduate School, which provides them with the information, tools and approaches required to enable them to embark on their research effectively. Students are also required to undertake a training needs analysis, to identify areas for development in consultation with their Supervisory Team. The students have access to the Graduate School's Researcher Development Programme www.kent.ac.uk/graduateschool/skills/programmes/tstindex.html which includes courses on scientific writing, getting published in the sciences and research ethics for scientists. The programme is mapped to the four domains of the Vitae Researcher Development Framework. Third year students have access to support and advice for developing their future careers as researchers through support for CV writing, interviews and writing EPSRC grant applications. Kent Innovation and Enterprise works with researchers who have undertaken placements with partner institutions to explore opportunities for KTP development.