DTP 2018-19 Cranfield University

An exclusively postgraduate focus; world-class, large-scale facilities; passionate experts; and our global community all add up to make Cranfield a unique place to learn. The university graduates 4% of the UK's engineering and technology PhDs and EngDs annually, creating leaders in technology and management. In REF 2014, 81% of our research was classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Our distinctive characteristics help set students and learners on a trajectory to success. Studying at Cranfield helps to unlock people's potential, developing their talent and greatly enhancing employability. 96% of our graduates are in relevant employment six months after graduation, securing jobs in some of the world's best-known organisations.

Cranfield's research addresses eight vital areas for business and policy-making: Aerospace,
Transport, Manufacturing, Water, Energy & Power, Environment & Agrifood, Leadership & Management, Defence & Security. Our closeness to business means we offer relevant, practical education that is firmly based on our transformational research.

Our DTP will be used to support hypothesis-driven research in areas of strategic priority across EPSRC's remit and which enable the career development of our early career academic staff. Priority will be given to:

- Projects addressing Industry Strategy priorities, Global Challenge research fund and EPSRC growth areas
- Projects including an element of training in mathematical sciences
- Collaborative proposals, especially those involving Aston University
- Proposals involving early and mid-career researchers
- Supporting major EPSRC investments at Cranfield
- Proposals building on major research infrastructure investments
Cranfield will be supporting a minimum of 11 studentships between 2018/19 - 2019/20. Projects will be selected by an internal panel from an open call for proposals. Students will be able to apply for fully funded places from early 2018 onwards for take-up from October 2018 onwards.
Our doctoral students are part of a dynamic, focused and professional study environment and are members of the Cranfield Doctoral Network (CDN) which provides a platform to share ideas, identify collaboration opportunities and create smaller communities of practice around specific research themes. The CDN is comprised of Doctoral Communities (Doc Coms), each aligned to one of the University's Themes. Through its own bespoke programme of events, each Doc Com offers the opportunity for research students to enhance their technical, interdisciplinary knowledge. Students are encouraged to get involved in generating ideas, running events and supporting fellow members. They also have opportunity to talk about their research with our many industry partners.
CDN activities are complimented by transferrable skills resources offered through the
Doctoral Researchers Core Development programme which is based on the established VITAE National Researcher Development Framework. Linked to our researcher
development strategy, it encompasses four areas of development: Knowledge & Intellectual Abilities, Personal Effectiveness, Research Governance & Organisation & Engagement, Influence & Impact. The programme is offered through a variety of routes; face-to-face workshops, interactive lectures, webinars, online material and other resources which are inclusive to those working off-site.
Students benefit from access to a dedicated Information Specialist in the Library who is the main point of contact and provides individual training and guidance on how to find the most appropriate materials to support their research.
Current research opportunities: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/Research/DoctoralResearch/Current-opportunities
Personalised Prospectus: http://www.cranfield.ac.uk/Study/Studying-at-Cranfield/Enquiriesand-events/Cranfield-University-Prospectus