EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing

We lead this unique collaboration between the Universities of Warwick, Exeter, and Cranfield, working to address industry-driven research challenges around sustainability, while training the research engineers and entrepreneurs of the future.
Supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), we are able to bring together diverse areas of expertise, and access cutting edge facilities from three leading Universities, to collaborate with industry in tackling today’s evolving issues, and future challenges.

Welcome to the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing

We are a unique collaboration between the Universities of Warwick, Exeter, and Cranfield, working to address industry-driven research challenges around sustainability, while training the research engineers and entrepreneurs of the future.
Supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), we are able to bring together diverse areas of expertise, and access cutting edge facilities from three leading Universities, to collaborate with industry in tackling today’s evolving issues, and future challenges.

Industry Collaboration

We provide excellent, bespoke research to our industry partners. Sponsoring a doctoral research project, addressing a challenge that you have identified, is an extremely cost-effective way of adding market value to your business. Talk to us about our EPSRC joint-funded opportunities.

Postgraduates

World-renowned academics and Industry Partners support your research into solutions for real-world challenges as part of your Engineering Doctorate, and MSc in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing.

Student Programme

Our EngD International programme combines original research based on real world industry challenges, taught modules at each of the three partner Universities to bring you up to best industrial practice, as well as international placements, group projects, conference attendance and business and academic networking.

Become a future business leader, with the high level understanding of interdisciplinary enterprise, research skills and experience, and an international view of sustainability and the circular economy, to compete in a global low carbon marketplace.
By applying rigorous analysis, innovative thinking and good management practice you will stand out above your competitors.

The EngD International Programme

As a ‘Research Engineer’ you’ll be working on a challenge submitted by one of our partner companies. That company will act as your sponsor for the duration of the four-year programme.
Each project is based at a ‘home’ university (either Warwick, Exeter or Cranfield), dependent on the type of project and its best match to the expertise of our institutions. You will split your time between the ‘home’ university and your sponsor company, as well as visiting the other two universities where you will have a secondary supervisor, attend taught modules and supporting events.
You will also undertake an international placement with one of our overseas partners, or a centre identified by you, to give you the broadest possible range of experiences. Our current overseas partners include Monash University in Australia, MPurdue (USA), Fribourg (Switzerland), Kyoto (Japan), IIT Bangalore (India), Queensland (Australia), British Columbia and McGill (Canada), and Jonköping (Sweden).

Creativity@home

You will also be part of Creativity@home, an EPSRC initiative which aims to generate and nurture creative thinking to help lead you to transformative research. This consists of workshops with fellow CDT engineers, led by a facilitator to enable you to think freely and explore new and exciting research.

Networking

The programme provides excellent opportunities for networking. As a Research Engineer with access to three universities academic communities, including a supervisor at a secondary university, you will experience a high level of networking. Your networking and interpersonal skills will be further developed through direct interactions with high level (often Board) executives at company based meetings and discussions. In addition, with your international placement and a generous budget that allows for attendance and presentations at conferences, you will be able to maximise networking opportunities during your EngD.

MSc

Embedded within the EngD International is an MSc in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing.
You will undertake nine modules (six core and three elective) during Years 1-3 of the programme.
Different modules will be delivered at each of the partner institutions.

Core Modules
Business Model Generation (Warwick)
Product Design and Development Management (Warwick)
Mechanics of Materials (Exeter)
Sustainable Energy and the Environment (Exeter)
Introduction to Manufacturing, Materials and Research Techniques (Cranfield)
Whole System Design (Cranfield)

Elective Modules

Three to be chosen from the list below (must include a module from each institution).
Project Planning Management and Control (Warwick)
Innovation (Warwick)
Advanced Materials and Processes (Warwick)
Financial Analysis and Control Systems (Warwick)
Lean Principles and Application (Warwick)
New Developments in Materials Engineering (Exeter)
Engineering Management Science (Exeter)
Computational Modelling (Exeter)
Principles of Sustainability (Cranfield)
Materials Selection (Cranfield)
Circular Waste Management: Resource, Recovery and Disposal (Cranfield)
Evaluating Sustainability (Cranfield)
Innovation Management (Cranfield)

Funding

Our current EngD International projects are fully funded for Home/EU students.
Eligible students will receive a tax free stipend of circa £20,000 per annum.
If you are an overseas applicant, please contact us to discuss your application and funding possibilities.

Minimum Entry Requirements

First or upper second class honours degree (or equivalent), in a related subject, e.g. Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Physics, Maths.
Applicants with an MSc in a related subject may be exempt from certain taught modules.

Read more: https://sustainablematerialsmanufacturing.com/