Doctoral Training Programmes

Geophysics fieldwork at an extinction landscape

What are Doctoral Training Programmes?

Doctoral Training Programmes (ie Centres for Doctoral Training or Doctoral Training Partnerships) aim to train tomorrow's leading researchers to address problems for the benefit of society. Doctoral Training Programmes provide structured PhD training which focus on interdisciplinary research in a defined area.

How long is a typical Doctoral Training Programme?

Each programme varies in structure, but usually lasts 3-4 years. During the four years, you will develop high-level expertise in a particular topic but with the excitement of working in multidisciplinary environments. You will be provided with the training required to successfully undertake your research.

Opportunities in the Faculty Environment

Our academics contribute to the following Doctoral Training Programmes and Centres for Doctoral Training:

  • The Panorama NERC Doctoral Training Partnership encompasses research activities across the full spectrum of environmental sciences from atmospheric science to geology to ecological and soil sciences. A number of funded projects are advertised each year. To apply, visit the Panorama NERC DTP project pages.
  • The White Rose ESRC Doctoral Training Centre is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in 2016, and is a collaboration across the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Sheffield Hallam, Hull, and Manchester Metropolitan. We offer 3 and 4 year programmes of full-time study leading to the award of a PhD (part-time versions are also available) opportunities available each year.
  • The Centre for Satellite Data in Environmental Science (SENSE) is co-directed by Dr Anna Hogg and will enable 50 fully-funded PhD researchers to harness satellite data to tackle global environmental challenges. Join this CDT to transform environmental science in the UK using both advanced data science and Earth Observation techniques.
  • The Extinction Studies DTP is an exciting interdisciplinary training programme giving PhD researchers the opportunity to explore rich connections between the biological, cultural and social meanings of the global extinction crisis, and to clarify the responses and impacts that extinction is currently having upon societies and cultures across the world.

Other Centres for Doctoral Training

  • Molecules to Product – Design, characterise and develop the next generation of chemical and material-based products with the potential to deliver superior performance and properties.
  • Fluid Dynamics – Measure, model and predict fluid flows that are critically important to the innovation of processes and products across all industries, and to monitoring and predicting environmental processes.
  • Water and Waste Infrastructure Systems Engineered for Resilience (Water-WISER) – Contribute to the generation of new knowledge about sustainable water, sanitation and waste management services to aid the poorest and most marginalised people globally.

Partner Doctoral Training Centres

Other doctoral training funding options

If you would prefer to undertake a standard PhD we offer a number of funded and competition funded opportunities across a range of disciplines.