Join the well-established Industry Doctoral Training Centre in Transport and the Environment and study for a 4-year Engineering Doctorate (EngD)

The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Transport and the Environment is jointly funded by EPSRC, The University of Southampton and partners from industry. It combines advanced technical and management training with PhD level research in collaboration with an industry partner/sponsor. Projects cover a wide range of topics in the interrelated, and globally critical area of transport and its impact on the environment.

Around 10 fully funded studentships are available for 2014. The EngD in Transport and the Environment is recruiting for its sixth academic year, so you will be joining a vibrant cohort of like-minded students at various stages of their EngD journey and an interesting alumni community.

In this dynamic area, the topics evolve each year. However, all projects incorporate strong transport and environmental aspects. Recent topics have included:

• Reducing exhaust emissions through alternative fuel sources (including the production of hydrogen fuels, improved battery design for low-carbon vehicles and the safety of nuclear ship propulsion)
• Minimising the emission and transmission of noise pollution (including both aircraft engine and turbulence modelling and underwater noise transmission from boats)
• Lifetime analysis to achieve sustainable use of resources (including holistic views of rail environmental performance, and damage tolerance criteria for aged ships)
• Creating the non-transport infrastructure necessary to support more sustainable transport (including the implications for the UK energy grid of battery, hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles)
• Efficient operation of existing transport systems (including sustainable logistics, and improving the flows of vehicles in urban areas)

How is the degree structured?
The EngD is a four year programme, comprising a one year taught component, followed by a three year research element. The taught component involves modules on core skills, concepts, tools and methodologies focussed on your training needs and the requirements of your future research. Years 2 - 4 involve full-time applied research with the opportunity to gain the valuable experience of engaging with industry through periods of placement with the sponsoring organisation.

In 2013, in addition to undertaking training and research, Transport and the Environment EngD students found time to:

• win awards for their work (The Cooling Prize, now won by a Southampton EngD student for four successive years; runners-up prize in the National Instruments' Graphical Systems Design Achievement Awards, second only to Aston Martin.)
• engage in outreach and participation and public engagement events, such as the annual University Science Week
• self organise to take on projects. This year a team of EngD students is involved in designing and building a submarine for a national competition.
• use their leadership skills on a voluntary basis – over the summer an EngD student led a team of scouts to Everest base camp.

How does the funding work?
All projects are supported by both the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and an industrial sponsoring company. This provides for full fees (UK/EU level) for the 4 years and enhanced tax-free stipends (typically between £16,000-£20,000 per year), along with support for project related costs.

What are the benefits?
The broad range of projects enables the students and their industrial sponsors to gain a holistic view of the multi-faceted interactions between transport and the environment and understand how their precise research topic contributes to a more sustainable future.

Other benefits to students include:

• working in close collaboration with industry
• the intellectual challenge of PhD level research at a globally renowned UK University
• linkage with world-class research groups, including the Univeristy of Southampton Faculty of Engineering and the Environment Graduate School
• joining a vibrant, established EngD community at Southampton with links with other Centres in the UK through the Association of EngDs
• training in advanced technical topics
• management modules that could count towards an MBA after your EngD is successfully completed
• contributing to public engagement and the promotion of engineering and the University of Southampton at local, national and international events

Who is eligible for a studentship?
Applicants for the IDTC EngD must have, or expect to gain, a good first degree in engineering, science or mathematics. A limited number of EPSRC supported, competitively awarded, studentships are available each year. The scheme offers full funding to UK and certain EU nationals. However, outstanding international applicants, currently based in the UK and able to attend an interview at The University of Southampton, who have the equivalent of a very good first class UK degree (typically with 75% or above overall) may be eligible for an international doctoral scholarship (IDS) on the EngD scheme. If you wish to apply for an IDS, please indicate this on your application form and ensure a personal statement, full degree transcripts and two references are included on applying.

Come and join us and change the world for the better!

Enquiries from potential students and industrial sponsors are always welcomed, with the main project and studentship allocation process taking place in January - March each year.

Available Projects

For more information...

Please visit: www.southampton.ac.uk/idtc or email engd@southampton.ac.uk