Over the next decades, global demand for electricity is set to soar driven by new applications including for example, the transition to zero carbon emissions vehicles, autonomous electric aero-taxis, wearable devices and healthcare that extends beyond hospital walls. In order to meet this demand and place the United Kingdom in a leading position, highly skilled doctoral graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines are needed.
ReNU is offering a 4 year training programme through funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), that will create the next generation of specialists, in small scale renewable and sustainable distributed energy applications.
ReNU students can expect:
Home and International students (inc. EU) are welcome to apply. The studentship is available to Home and International (including EU) students and includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2022/23 full-time study this is £17,668 per year) and full tuition fees. Also significant additional funding to cover research costs and local, national and international travel (conferences and exchanges).
Applicants should be aware of the following additional costs that you may incur as these are not covered by the studentship.
If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, it is important that you read this information very carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application otherwise your visa may be refused.
Check this guidance for COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England.
Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be borne by the CDT. Please see individual adverts for further details of the English Language requirements for the university you are applying to.
All open positions can be found on ReNU’s dedicated recruitment page here.
The CDT in ReNU is a collaboration between Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham Universities. The unique co-location of this expertise in the North East of England will allow you to access state-of-the-art research equipment and high quality supervision.
Doing a PhD at ReNU is no ordinary PhD! In addition to working on a research project at the frontiers of science and engineering, you will benefit from significant additional training over the course of a 4-year programme. This includes business and innovation training, energy policy and opportunities for international travel.
A key objective of ReNU is to develop doctoral graduates who have excellent scientific and technical skills while at the same time, are readily able to understand the business context for innovation in the energy sector. This means that you will develop an understanding that spans from molecules to systems as well as the environmental, political and societal implications for energy research.
ReNU offers projects within the following topics:
In additional to individual institutional training programme, ReNU will provide cohort training. The training programme consists three parts: core modules, optional modules and flexible modules. The general structure of the ReNU training programme is illustrated in figure 1 below. Note that this is provisional and subject to change.
The first year of the CDT training programme aims to provide you with fundamental knowledge of renewable and sustainable energy technologies (C2). This includes the physical principles behind batteries, fuel cells, solar cells and many other devices and materials found at the cutting-edge of energy research. Importantly, the energy sector extends well beyond a single technology and the factors which determine the success or failure of a clean energy technology include policy, economics and society. Some of these factors are considered in C4 which sets the context for innovation in the energy sector.
In addition to developing knowledge, the first year focuses on developing key skills for research relating to analysis, communication and responsible research and innovation (C3). The combination of this training with optional training modules and the flagship CDT Week will provide a solid background for success in the following years. Note also that equality, diversity and inclusivity is an important theme within ReNU and all students and academic staff will received training in this area.
The second year includes further training in whole energy systems and you will have the opportunity through an extended mini-project (C5) to consider your individual research in a broader context. The second year allow allows you to develop key skills in innovation (C6) and business (C7a) with specialists in this area. It is also the intention that every ReNU student will have an international experience (C8) and presently, this includes a visit to the Institute for Clean and Renewable Energy in Wuhan, China.
In the third year of your training, there is increased emphasis on your individual research project as you become the expert this area. This is mixed with another extended group mini-project aimed at tacking an industrial R&D challenge (C9). You will also complete the second part of a mini-MBA business training (C7b) during this year.
The fourth year of your project is focused on finishing your thesis (including writing up) and consolidating all your training such that you are ready for employment after your PhD.
Ten core modules covering scientific fundamentals and principles relevant to RE and DE, introduction on whole energy systems, research skills and methodology, business and innovation, interaction with industry to tackle industrial challenges and enhancing employability.
Please see individual adverts on ReNU's dedicated recruitment page for eligibility details.
We have a limited number of International awards available. Please note to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:
If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student.
ReNU invites applications from top quality graduates with a degree (or about to gain a degree) in physics, chemistry, engineering or mathematics or equivalent. You should have, or expect to obtain, at least an upper second class degree and be strongly motivated by doing independent research. ReNU also welcomes applications from mature students.
If you wish to discuss your application informally then please contact the relevant ReNU Institution Director for the project you are interested in which at Northumbria is Dr Vincent Barrioz (vincent.barrioz@northumbria.ac.uk), at Newcastle, Prof Elizabeth Gibson (elizabeth.gibson@newcaslte.ac.uk) and at Durham, Prof Chris Groves (chris.groves@durham.ac.uk).
Please see a list of available projects and how to apply on our dedicated recruitment page. For more information about ReNU visit https://renu.northumbria.ac.uk/
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