Aston University is training a new generation of PhD researchers to fill the high-skilled, high-paid jobs that the UK economy needs to grow. This matters because the UK faces a shortage of scientists and engineers with the technical, mathematical, and digital skills required by industry. Without a steady pipeline of such researchers, businesses cannot innovate, and economic growth stalls. The programme addresses this gap by funding doctoral studentships in core engineering and physical science disciplines, from chemical engineering to computer science. If successful, the programme will produce PhD graduates equipped to solve real-world problems in areas such as photonics, bioenergy, and urban technologies. These fields quietly underpin everything from faster internet connections and medical diagnostics to renewable energy grids and smarter city infrastructure. The funding also supports early-career researchers by letting them supervise their first doctoral students, building the next generation of academic leaders. By collaborating across disciplines and with industrial partners, the programme ensures that research remains relevant to business needs, driving innovation that keeps the UK competitive.
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Aston's institutional strategy focuses on our beneficiaries: students (including post-graduate researchers); businesses and the professions; the region, and society. Our focus on beneficiaries means that impact is embedded in our research in providing innovative solutions to real world problems. Our Research Strategy 2018-2023 prioritises impact, excellence, collaboration and sustainability. Our excellent Post-Graduate Researchers (PGRs) are both key enablers and beneficiaries of this strategy; we commit to providing a high quality, nurturing and challenging environment for PGRs. The School of Engineering and the Applied Science (SEAS) is organised into six academic departments delivering teaching and undertaking research in core disciplines: Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry (CEAC); Mathematics; Computer Science (CS); Mechanical Engineering and Design (MED); Engineering and System Management (ESM); Electrical, Electronics and Power Engineering (EEPE). Three interdisciplinary research institutes represent areas of critical mass, international reputation and research excellence in Engineering and Physical Science (EPS) disciplines: Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT) [https://www2.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups/photonics/research-areas;] European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) [https://www2.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups/ebri/research]; Aston Institute of Urban Technologies and the Environment (ASTUTE) [https://www2.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/institutes/astute/index]. Research conducted by these Institutes includes collaborations with the Schools of Life and Health Sciences (LHS), Aston Business School (ABS) and Aston Medical School (AMS), as well as with academic and industrial partners in the UK and abroad. A key feature of research at Aston is that we collaborate across traditional disciplinary boundaries to encourage and promote interdisciplinary projects. The Aston Graduate School (AGS) is a core element of our EPSRC DTP, and has responsibility for ensuring the quality of research degree programmes. AGS and the academic Schools work together to provide a supportive environment and enriching experience for all PGRs. We will deliver a comprehensive programme of PGR training, with SEAS responsible for subject-specific post-graduate training and AGS providing an annual programme of training opportunities in more generic academic research methods and skills. It supports inter-disciplinary work and also Aston Postgraduate Research Society to promote academic and social events. The Graduate Development Team (Library Services, Career Development, Research and Knowledge Exchange) provides training and development opportunities for research students and supervisors. EPSRC DTP funding will be used to: Equip our PhD graduates with the technical, mathematical, digital, scientific and engineering skills needed in order to secure the high-paid, high-skilled jobs of the future; these skills are critical in order to fulfil the UK's business needs and to drive economic growth. Support early career researchers (ECRs) by providing them with funding to supervise their first doctoral students. Ensure the sustainability of underpinning EPS disciplines by funding high quality studentships in our core areas of research priority. Work with industrial collaborators to provide students with cutting-edge research in industrially relevant topics. Promote interdisciplinary, challenge-led research, by funding high quality studentships in our Institutes and growing interdisciplinary research opportunities, within (EAS) and cross-Schools (LHS, ABS). We will use the Graduate School website (https://www2.aston.ac.uk/current-students/graduate-school/about/index) both to advertise our internal call for supervisors to propose PGR projects for funding through the EPSRC DTP, and for prospective students to search for EPSRC-funded PhD opportunities.
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