2D Materials of Tomorrow University of Cambridge

Overview

This 2D Materials of Tomorrow from University of Cambridge is part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in 2D Materials of Tomorrow (CDT), and aims to provide students with the knowledge and skills for cutting edge, cross-disciplinary research in the science and applications of two-dimensional materials – a new class of advanced materials with potential to transform modern technologies, from clean energy to quantum engineering.

The first six months of the programme are based at the University of Manchester, during which time students will engage in a rigorous training programme combining teaching on the underlying scientific principles with a strong emphasis on experimental skills and techniques underpinning the development of 2D Materials applications. In the fourth month of the programme, students will be allocated their PhD project. For home students, the project selection will determine whether the student transfers to Cambridge or stays in Manchester. For international students, the destination institution is determined during the pre-application process, but they will still have a choice of projects within their destination institution.

Potential applicants should contact the CDT directly and receive instructions before accessing this application portal. Home students will be registered at Manchester in the first instance and will use this portal to transfer their registration if allocated a PhD project in Cambridge. International students will be registered at Cambridge from the beginning of the degree (but will still live and undertake the training in Manchester with the rest of the cohort).

Training within the initial phase aims to equip the student with the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and research skills necessary to engage fully with the research programme. More information about this is given below.

At the same time, the Department expects that students will leave with the wider skills necessary to be successful in either an academic or a non-academic career.

By the end of the training programme, students will:

• have proficiency in essential fabrication and characterisation techniques, and the basics of modelling and materials design;
• have knowledge of the scientific principles underpinning this practical work, including elements of fundamental and applied materials physics, chemistry, and engineering;
• be familiar with up-to-date literature in the field, and have had opportunities to develop skills in summarising and presenting research results.

By the end of the PhD programme, students will have:

• the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems;
• a detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry;
• produced a thesis for examination.