Queen's University Belfast will train 32 PhD students across engineering and physical sciences, funded through an EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership. This investment addresses the need for a skilled research workforce in the UK. Without sustained doctoral training, the pipeline of scientists and engineers who drive innovation in industry and academia would shrink. The programme fills that gap by supporting early-career researchers in fields from chemistry to aerospace engineering. If successful, these students will go on to work in sectors that underpin modern life—electronics, communications, energy, manufacturing, and civil infrastructure. Their research could improve everything from computer chips to aircraft design, though the specific breakthroughs are not predetermined. The programme also strengthens ties with industry through collaborative PhD projects, meaning discoveries may move more quickly from lab to factory floor. The training itself is broad: students learn not just technical skills but also communication, ethics, and enterprise. This holistic approach aims to produce researchers who can lead, not just experiment. The university has formal recognition for supporting researcher careers, suggesting the environment is built to retain talent rather than lose it after graduation.
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Queen's University Belfast aims "to create a world-class postgraduate environment within which to realise the vision of: making Queen's the global choice for postgraduate education and research on global challenges; creating a postgraduate community built on excellence, intellectual challenge, and inclusiveness that will transform lives and inspire futures, and developing the Queen's postgraduate to be a leader and innovator." Our successful University Graduate School provides an enriched environment of learning, research and innovation for both the postgraduate and postdoctoral communities. All students engaged in the EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership are fully integrated into the Graduate School. The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) acknowledges that the research student population is an important driver for research and for the future of academy in its broadest sense, and is committed to working with the Graduate School to ensure students receive a world-class experience. The EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership at Queen's will provide support for 16 PhD positions in 2018-19 and 16 places in 2019-20. Awards will principally be allocated in the following areas - Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Maths and Physics, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Civil Engineering. Studentships will align with the University's Vision 2020 strategy and are strongly aligned to EPSRC priority areas delivered by EPS. Details of the DTP doctoral opportunities can be found on the respective School websites: http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofChemistryandChemicalEngineering/Research/PhDVacancies/ T30 http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/eeecs/Research/PhDStudyT30/ http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofMathematicsandPhysics/Study/PostgraduateResearch/ http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofMechanicalandAerospaceEngineering/Study/PostgraduateR esearch/PhDStudentships/ http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/NBE/Research/Studentships/ Queen's is committed to the strengthening of existing and building of new industrial collaborations. As such, we will offer a number of PhD projects (CASE studentships) which involve collaboration with industry. A small number of international studentships will also be available principally within Electronics, Communications and Information Technology. Queen's is committed to supporting and developing the next generation of researchers and has a strong track record of doctoral training and progression. Queen's has recognition under the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers and under the European Commission HR Excellence in Research Award (January 2012). A holistic approach to supporting students (from essential skills training through to pastoral care) is adopted. During the PhD programme, all DTP students will have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of different training and development opportunities delivered through a combination of formal training and integrated learning experiences, such as placements and project-based initiatives. Transferable skills training is mainly delivered through the Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme (PRDP), managed by the Graduate School in line with Vitae's Researcher Development Framework. The PRDP offers students a comprehensive range of training courses, 1-2-1 support and skills development opportunities. Training courses include presentation, writing and communication skills as well as specialist topics such as enterprise, ethics and IP. Recruitment is undertaken at a School level with support from the University's central Admission Office. A defined set of assessment criteria and minimum standards for previous academic performance are adopted. Prospective supervisors will be informed of the distribution of studentships in November and then subsequent to an external application process (details on School websites) students will be informed of outcomes in January.
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