Doctor in lab

Doctoral training programme

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics provides a comprehensive training scheme to support all postgraduate students.

Our aim is to train the next generation of engineers and scientists to produce world-class research that has strong academic, societal, industrial and economic relevance. The skills you will acquire are designed to not only enhance your current research but to also provide you with the highest employability and ensure you are a step ahead in the race for jobs.

Postgraduate students benefit from specific training and development provided within the 4-year programmes of several UKRI Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) including:

  • Doctoral Training (CDT) on quantification and management of risk & uncertainty in complex systems & environments
  • EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in new & sustainable photovoltaics
  • EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in additive manufacturing and 3D printing
  • EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in the science and technology of fusion energy
  • EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in distributed algorithms
  • EPSRC next generation nuclear Centre for Doctoral Training
  • Leverhulme research centre for functional materials design

School seminar series

All first-year students come together once a week for a Doctoral Training seminar. These seminars are designed to strengthen students personal skills; not only are our students able to undertake great research but also to communicate this to the public, to work together with researchers from other subject areas and integrate into part of the wider research community.

We aim to improve analytical thinking, coherency, logic and writing skills as well as encouraging cross-area and interdisciplinary research collaboration or knowledge exchange with industry. Throughout the seminar series students are encouraged to consider how they communicate their research and how to best use social media, websites and blogs to their advantage. Students will also undertake group projects, peer review, welcome outside speakers and prepare presentations.  

Teaching

Many of our students will gain some teaching experience while studying with us. There are opportunities to work as graduate teaching assistants during undergraduate lab classes, providing feedback and marking student assignments.

Research skills workshop

During this three day workshop, participants work in teams to devise novel interdisciplinary projects, gaining skills in subjects such as peer review, writing effective abstracts and delivering oral presentations. Offering students the opportunity to meet and network with researchers from across the University, the first year workshop is designed to encourage interdisciplinary thinking and offer opportunities for developing research skills.

Research Skills for Engineering Students

This workshop specifically focuses on how to effectively use and find relevant journals and conference papers to enrich your research. You will also be introduced to our specialist departmental librarian and the specific postgraduate facilities including the postgraduate reading room.

University Poster Day

Each year the University hosts an annual poster conference day where 2nd year PhD students across the university come together to present their research. The day provides a fantastic opportunity for public communication of research and allows feedback from peers and senior staff from a range of disciplines and departments.

Careers Development

As well as one-to-one help and advice from academic supervisors, students also take part in structured seminars to support all stages of career preparation. Training is focused on topics such as career management, networking, self-employment and job applications. Moreover, the University has an award-winning careers department who can help you to explore career options and offer practical advice and tips.

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