Training to address critical challenges

Over 40 new PhD students will begin work on critical engineering and scientific challenges this term as they join one of four new Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs).

The four CDTs – which will take around 200 students over the next five years – are Bioenergy, Complex Particulate Products and Processes, Fluid Dynamics, and Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine.

“It’s exciting to have these new CDTs on campus, as each of them will be considering the latest cutting-edge research,” explains Professor Peter Jimack, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. “The PhD students will be working with our academics and industry partners to address critical challenges in current research and recognised EPSRC priority areas.”

Particular research areas include investigating alternatives to fossil fuels, looking at complex formulated particulate products in healthcare, measuring and modelling fluid flows to innovate processes and products across a range of industries, and developing regenerative therapies and devices.

In total, the centres at Leeds have secured over £14m in funding to train and develop early career researchers. Overall, there are 115 new centres across the UK, representing a £500m investment by EPSRC, with an additional £450m coming from industry.

“CDTs have already proved to be a great success and the model is popular with students, business and industry. These new centres will give the country the highly trained scientists and engineers it needs and they will be equipped with skills to move on in their careers,” says Dr Paul Golby, Chairman of EPSRC.

The University is presently ranked 12 out of 106 universities in terms of the number of current grants awarded by EPSRC.