DTP - University of St Andrews

The University of St Andrews will train a new cohort of doctoral researchers across engineering and physical sciences, funded through EPSRC's Doctoral Training Partnership. This matters because the UK depends on a steady pipeline of highly skilled scientists and engineers to sustain its research base and industrial innovation. Doctoral training programmes are the primary route through which the next generation of researchers acquire the technical depth, problem-solving skills, and collaborative experience needed to tackle complex challenges. Without sustained investment in training, the country risks gaps in expertise across fields that underpin everything from semiconductor manufacturing to quantum computing. If successful, this partnership will produce PhD graduates equipped to work in academia, industry, or the public sector. Their research during training could advance fundamental science or lead to practical improvements in areas such as energy storage, medical imaging, data security, or advanced materials. The specific outcomes will depend on the individual projects students pursue, but the broader impact is a strengthened national research workforce capable of driving future innovation.