Recipient organisationCardiff UniversitySource-published name: Cardiff University
Funding£1.6M
PeriodSept 2016 — Sept 2021
In plain English
AI plain-English summary
Cardiff University is training 39 PhD students across engineering, chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, and brain imaging, with projects spanning energy systems, catalysis, quantum materials, and data science. This matters because the UK needs a steady pipeline of researchers who can tackle complex, interdisciplinary problems—from sustainable energy generation to advanced brain imaging—that no single discipline can solve alone. The programme explicitly connects engineers with physicists, chemists with computer scientists, and biomedical researchers with mathematicians, breaking down the silos that often slow progress. If successful, these students will become the next generation of research leaders and innovators. Their work could improve things people rarely think about: more efficient solar cells, faster medical diagnostics, secure energy grids, or better manufacturing processes. The programme also includes industrial partnerships through CASE Awards, meaning some research will directly feed into real-world products and services. Much of the fundamental science here—such as molecular synthesis, spectroscopy, or computational mathematics—has no immediate practical application. But similar curiosity-driven research in the past led to technologies like MRI scanners, lithium-ion batteries, and the internet. Deeper understanding of quantum materials or photonics could unlock future breakthroughs in computing, sensing, or communications.
View original technical description
The Cardiff University EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership will be offering 39 PhD studentships across 2016-17 and 2017-18, including 2 CASE Awards. Studentships are available in a variety of projects across 7 Schools and 2 interdisciplinary Research Institutes and offer students the opportunity to benefit from an excellent local research environment as well as a comprehensive programme of research and professional skills development from the University Graduate College. PhD projects are available across a range of topics that align with Cardiff's research strengths & EPSRC's priorities. Projects will be rooted in an academic school but may work at the interfaces with other disciplines, be connected to an interdisciplinary Research Institute, & involve collaborations with other scientific researchers, industrial partners and other organisations. Specific projects will vary by year; they will be available in the following areas: Engineering: Environment and Sustainability; Mechanics, Materials & Advanced Manufacturing; Energy; and Health, Technology & the Digital World. Chemistry: Biological Chemistry; Catalysis & Interfacial Science; Materials & Energy; Molecular Synthesis; Spectroscopy & Dynamics. Physics and Astronomy: Photonics & Biophotonics (with colleagues in Biosciences); Quantum Materials & Devices; Nanoscale Science & Technology; Theory & Computational Physics; an Imaging, Sensors & Instrumentation. Computer Science and Informatics: Distributed & Scientific Computing; Informatics; and Visual Computing Mathematics: Mathematical Analysis; Applied & Computational Mathematics; Geometry, Algebra, Mathematical Physics & Topology; Operational Research; and statistics. Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre (CUBRIC): which brings together world-leading expertise in brain mapping with the very latest in brain imaging and brain stimulation, and connects biomedical researchers with engineers, physicists, mathematicians and computer scientists. Data Innovation Research Institute: launched in 2015, the Institute researches aspects of managing, analysing and interpreting massive volumes of textual and numerical information. Energy Systems Research Institute: launched in 2015, the Institute researches sustainable, affordable, socially acceptable and secure energy systems, to tackle global challenges in how we generate, distribute and utilise energy. Common to all studentships in the Cardiff University EPSRC DTP is our objective to train the next generation of research leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in the physical sciences and engineering, by: equipping students with advanced research skills, supported by expert supervision, a well-funded infrastructure and dynamic research culture supporting them to communicate their research through seminars, external conferences and networking fostering interdisciplinary research through groupings of engineering, physical, chemical, biological, medical and social scientists offering a comprehensive programme of professional and career development opportunities (www.cardiff.ac.uk/ugcp) hosting cohort activities that encourage interactions of doctoral students across disciplines engendering a commitment to research excellence and impact, and explorations of new ways of thinking. Research at Cardiff is supported by excellent facilities that range from environmental characterisation labs, performance engineering, biotechnology services, high performance computing & brain imaging through to gas turbine combustors, rigs, and lightning laboratories. (http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/explore/research-facilities)Information about the PhD projects available for 2016/17, including the timeline for applying will be provided here: www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/postgraduate/funding/options/research-councils/epsrc.html General information about undertaking a PhD at Cardiff University is here:www.cardiff.ac.uk/for/prospective/postgraduate/research.html
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