The FAQ
Why do a PhD in Nanoscience?
Nanotechnology is one of the most rapidly expanding fields of R&D, with an expected global value of over a trillion dollars by 2015 and with much of this value coming from work in information technology. For the UK to play a significant role it requires highly qualified scientists and engineers, and multidisciplinary teams with links to industry. New technologies are required to underpin this future industry, and the research to be pursued within the DTC will target exploitable technologies to give the UK a significant edge in nanoscience, and contribute to producing the innovative workforce needed. The application of nanotechnology in medicine is in both the current NIH roadmap and in the RS 2005 report and is one of the grand challenges in the EPSRC nanotechnology strategy.
How does DTC training differ from a traditional PhD?
The challenges presented by nanoscience are inherently interdisciplinary, and for the UK to remain at the forefront of its development and exploitation requires training that crosses discipline boundaries and produces experts capable of communicating across professions. Postgraduate students in the DTC will be provided with a great awareness of developments outside the narrower remit of their research project and be able to discuss and reflect on a range of science that falls within the heading of nanoscience and its exploitation. These goals are difficult within ‘conventional’ PhD programmes, where students are often associated with specific projects and disciplines from the outset of their postgraduate career. Therefore the aims of the training within NOWNANO are:
- To create a group of scientists, engineers and clinicians that think instinctively in a cross-disciplinary fashion; this aim will be achieved by all DTC students developing a common knowledge base by attending a specially designed package of courses during the first six-months of the project which will allow us to expose the students to a range of the facets of nanoscience. Training in employment related transferable skills, enterprise training, science communication to the general public and intellectual property issues will pervade the whole extent of the programme.
- To create a cohesive group of students throughout the duration of their postgraduate studies mutually benefitting from their variable backgrounds and developing projects. A series of internal and external research lectures will be attended by all students; there will be poster evenings and presentations by students which will all build a sense of community within the cohort.
- To grow a new generation of experts trained in advanced methods and technologies of modern nanoscience that will be able to carry knowledge of several conjoint disciplines applicable to a broad range of fundamental and applied research and development in academia and industry.
Why does it take four years?
In a conventional PhD, the student has 3 to 3.5 years funding. In practice, most students take a few months longer, without funding, to write up. The NOWNANO PhD will take four years because during the first six months we will give you the opportunity to learn about many aspects of nanoscience, and to be trained in a range of important skills, while you develop the outline of your own research project. You’ll begin this PhD research during the first year, with a considerable headstart from the first six months training, and hence we expect you to complete and submit your thesis during the four years of funding. There will be no unfunded writing up period. We also have funding to cover the relatively high running and travel costs of our DTC studentships, including support for presenting your results at international conferences and for visiting international collaborators where appropriate.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from graduates with a good degree (first or upper second) in science, engineering or medical disciplines. Nanoscience may make significant contributions to clinical practice, so we welcome medics just as much as physicists!
