DTP 2020-2021 University of Huddersfield

The University of Huddersfield (UoH) DTP will be allocated to projects in materials research and allied subject areas primarily across two academic schools - Computing & Engineering and Applied Sciences. Materials research continues to be an area of growth and strategic importance for UoH and underpins multiple pillars and challenges within the Government's Industrial Strategy.
Areas of particular importance with alignment to EPSRC research areas include: manufacturing technologies and materials engineering, functional materials, biomaterials, catalysis, nuclear fission, materials for energy applications, surface science, synthetic and computational chemistry. In addition, mathematical research linked to these areas will be supported.

Doctoral research opportunities are advertised externally on the UoH website at: https://research.hud.ac.uk/researchdegrees/researchscholarships/phdstudentshipsinmaterialsscience/, as is information for staff regarding application processes for studentship projects at: https://research.hud.ac.uk/research-degrees/researchscholarships/phdstudentshipsinmaterialsscience/epsrcmaterialssciencephdsupervisorinformation/

The next DTP cohort will commence Sept 2020 for a two year period.

A Research Skills Development Programme (RSDP) is available for postgraduate researchers (PGRs) offering maximum flexibility to meet development priorities, build skills, abilities and intellectual qualities whilst completing a research degree and for their longer term career goals. The programme is based on the national Vitae Researcher Development Framework and encompasses four key areas: Knowledge & Intellectual Abilities, Personal Effectiveness, Research Governance & Organisation, Engagement Influence & Impact. Training includes:

Explore all aspects of being a PGR
Personal strengths
Prioritise areas for professional development
Write a plan, monitor progress and success
Productive discussions with others
Formal and informal development opportunities
Routes to impact for research
Preparing for one-to-one progress reviews, appraisals or career development conversations

When considering future career options and goals, help is provided to:

Consider capabilities and experiences to enhance career prospects
Assess opportunities offered within the institution for continued research
Explore development opportunities outside research area
Highlight, articulate and provide evidence of the transferability of capabilities and expertise in a CV, in job applications and at interviews.
Develop entrepreneurial skills through various support programmes

All PGRs attend the central welcome and induction event designed to help them familiarise with life as a postgraduate researcher. This provides an opportunity to meet other researchers from their own and other disciplines, to meet key university staff and to ask any questions regarding their programme of study. PGRs meet the Dean of the Graduate School.

Topics covered at central and local induction include:

Expectations of Supervisors and Postgraduate Researchers
Research Skills Training
Virtual Learning Environment
Library & IT, Open Access, Wellbeing, Careers
Supervision and Progression Monitoring
Research Council funded student and supervisory requirements including, Je-S, Research Fish and Gateway to Research

Discipline and cohort specific training is also provided within the two academic schools.

Funding will provide ~10 studentships per annum across two intakes. We will aim to convert a minimum of one studentship into a CASE award and to support at least 3 ECRs per intake. Where possible, we will seek to lever match funding from industry or other bodies to increase the number of studentships supported through the DTP. We intend to use any surplus funding over the DTP period to provide vacation bursaries for outstanding undergraduate students planning to undertake research on completion of their studies.