The University of Glasgow is training the next generation of engineers and scientists through a doctoral training programme funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. This matters because the UK needs a steady pipeline of skilled researchers to keep its science and technology sectors competitive. The programme addresses a gap between academic research and real-world application by embedding students in interdisciplinary environments and connecting them with industry partners. If successful, this training will produce graduates who can tackle challenges in areas that quietly underpin modern life—energy storage, water treatment, robotics, quantum devices, and human-computer interaction. Students gain skills in science communication, project management, and enterprise, preparing them to work in both academic and industrial settings. The programme prioritises fields such as synthetic biology, catalysis, and clinical technologies, ensuring that doctoral research aligns with national strategic strengths. By funding students across chemistry, computing, engineering, mathematics, and physics, it builds professional networks that will shape the UK’s research landscape for decades.
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The University of Glasgow provides a vibrant and internationally diverse environment for doctoral students. EPSRC DTP-funded students at Glasgow are split between the Colleges of Science and Engineering (the majority) and Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences. In the former, students are selected for projects across five Schools (Chemistry, Computing Science, Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics and Physics & Astronomy). In the latter, students are engaged in projects mainly in the Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology broadly related to biomedical engineering. College-level Graduate Schools provide a focus for activity for students and embed them in an environment of equal opportunity for all. This maximises the opportunities for students to benefit from inter-disciplinary interactions, engage with other students who will form the professional networks that will enhance their future careers and benefit from opportunities to engage with external stakeholders of their research. Studentships are allocated across Schools broadly using an approach based on the value of the current research portfolio to ensure that students are aligned to areas of particular strength within EPSRC research areas. This is further refined through consideration of large projects that would provide supportive environments for students, areas where significant investment has already taken place or an emerging collaboration is making an impact or to develop early career researchers who are ready to take on more supervision. Areas given priority for developing studentship projects in the near future are: -Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering -Catalysis -Chemical Biology and Biological Chemistry -Chemical Structure -Clinical technologies (excluding imaging) -Condensed Matter: Magnetism and Magnetic Materials -Energy Efficiency (End Use Energy Demand) -Energy Storage -Fluid Dynamics and Aerodynamics -Human Communication in ICT -Human-Computer Interaction -ICT Networks & Distributed Systems -Materials for energy applications -Microelectronic Device Technology -Microelectronics Design -Microsystems -Non CMOS Device Technology -Optical Communications -Optical Devices and Subsystems -Quantum Devices, Components and Systems -Quantum Optics and Information -RF & Microwave Devices -Robotics and Autonomous Systems -Sensors and Instrumentation -Statistics and Applied Probability -Synthetic Biology -Synthetic Coordination Chemistry -Water Engineering The DTP studentship application process is identical to other University of Glasgow scholarships. In response to advertised studentships or research group openings, students submit on-line applications and a standard set documentation (e.g. transcripts, CV, references and a project outline where appropriate). Scholarship funding calls are released in the autumn, generally with early spring deadlines. Students may apply for several funding opportunities and students applying for DTP funding are considered alongside the wider cohort. Excellent students may be asked if they would like to be considered for DTP funding where they are eligible. DTP funded students at Glasgow benefit from School-level subject specific training to support the development of their research skills. They further benefit from Graduate School and University level programmes that support their personal and professional development. There is an impressive range of activity on offer and students have opportunities to develop, for example, basic skills (presentation, project management), research-related skills (research integrity, data management), science communication and public engagement skills (Science Slam, Three Minute Thesis, Ideas Exchange, Explorathon) and enterprise skills (Insights to Industry, Innovation Platform, activities). These activities also allow students to interact with industry partners, students from other areas within the University as well as students from other institutions.
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