Training

Doctoral Candidates recruited to this network will participate in a comprehensive doctoral training programme with the following elements.

Research

Each Doctoral Candidate will be based primarily at their host institution, as specified within the description of the relevant PhD Research Project. They will be enrolled on a PhD programme at the host institution and pursue the research project's goals under the supervision of the named supervisor. All Doctoral Candidates will be a member of the relevant local research group and graduate schools, and will participate in local activities such as lecture courses, seminar series and social events.

A distinctive feature of this network is that each PhD project involves a novel combination of research methodologies. Therefore each Doctoral Candidate will have a co-supervisor based at a different academic partner institution, and will spend a period of time working at the partner institution. Please see the PhD Research Project descriptions for the arrangements that apply. All research costs, including secondments, are fully funded by the network.

Scientific and industrial skills training

Additional training will also be provided at the network level at annual in-person events at different locations within the network. This will provide an opportunity for the full cohort of Doctoral Candidates and their supervisors to be together, and to participate in specialised lectures, workshops and networking activities. These events will be run in partnership with our non-academic partners, and will therefore also feature training in industrially-relevant training as well as in transferable skills such as oral and written communication, project management, time management and team working. Some PhD research projects feature secondments with our non-academic partners for enhanced industrial experience.

The network will also run a final conference, as well as specialised thematic workshops throughout the programme, all in response to the needs and interests of the Doctoral Candidates.

Each Doctoral Candidate will develop a Career Development Plan with their supervisor, which will be reviewed regularly to ensure that the training provided is relevant to the candidate's individual career aspirations.

Public engagement

Doctoral Candidates will also participate in a structured public engagement programme, with training and time dedicated to developing and implementing their individual ideas.