Practitioner Doctorate in Life Cycle Assessment: Composite Materials and Products, UK
The University of Surrey, in collaboration with NCC (National Composites Centre), is pleased to announce an exciting opportunity to join the Practitioner Doctorate in Sustainability programme. As a researcher you will be primarily based with your industrial sponsor, NCC, for the majority of your time on the programme, which will give you valuable industry experience that you could not otherwise gain from a “traditional” PhD. You will benefit from a personalised programme of skills training and academic modules; input from academic and industrial supervisors and a generous living stipend.
Background and Description
The NCC is the centre for innovation in composites manufacturing. Proudly one of seven UK High Value Manufacturing Catapult centres , with a highly regarded internationally reputation, we play a vital role accelerating the growth of the UK’s advanced manufacturing output, bridging academia and industry to change the world of composites manufacturing and application.
The NCC is seeing an increase in demand for sustainable solutions to engineering challenges, and the assessment of environmental impact is vital to achieving this. A new research group with a focus on sustainability was set up in April 2017 and has expanded steadily since its inception. Life cycle assessment forms a core capability of the group, and the role of this project is to provide expertise to develop methods and improve international consensus on carrying out LCA for composite materials and products.
Person specification
- English proficiency
- Masters level or equivalent in Engineering, Materials Science, Product Design, or Environmental Subjects
- Work experience outside of academic institutes is desirable, particularly experience with composite materials or the manufacturing industry would be beneficial.
- Expertise in engineering
- A passion for the environment
- Inquisitive nature
- Ability to work independently
- Strong communication skills are necessary and evidence of stakeholder engagement at all levels is required.
- The candidate must be able to display a capacity for independent thought, as well as a pragmatic attitude to working within industry
How to Apply
To apply for this project, please contact Laura Church pds@surrey.ac.ukand cc Mrs Deidre Richardson d.richardson@surrey.ac.uk for an information pack that will include:
- A Project Brief;
- Information about the Centre for Environment and Sustainability;
- Details of the Practitioner Doctorate in Sustainability programme.
Key Dates and Information
This project is due to begin in October 2018. The successful candidate will spend an initial 11 weeks in Guildford, UK undertaking intensive sustainability and personal development training after which they will be predominately based at the National Composites Centre (NCC), Bristol, UK.
The programme will run for four years.
The successful candidate will receive a generous stipend of £18,000 per annum throughout this time (with potential to increase to c. £20,000 per annum after two years). Stipends are usually tax-free and DPs will also benefit from an additional £500 p.a. allowance for attendance at conferences etc. In addition to this, full-time tuition fees (£4,260) will be covered at the current Home/EU rate for the duration of the programme.
Overseas students applying for 2018 entry will need to provide self-funding to bridge the fees between Home/EU (£4,260) and Overseas fees (£20,800). Details about how you intend to finance this difference MUST be included in your covering letter of application.
The deadline for applications is4PM UK Time Monday 3rdSeptember andInterviews for this post will take place on7thSeptember 2018 at the NCC in Bristol.