DProf Reliability Engineering & Asset Management

Research in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering covers six broad research themes ; aerospace engineering, innovative manufacturing, modelling and simulation, nuclear engineering, resilient systems, and structures in extreme environments. 

The Professional Doctorate (DProf) Programme is a unique opportunity for practising engineers and professionals already working in industry to do applied research in the area of plant maintenance, reliability and asset management. As this is a distance learning programme, candidates can study the DProf from outside the UK while continuing their employment.

At the end of the programme, candidates will make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in general, and to their workplace specifically.  The results of this research shall then be published in high standard/quality journals and finally needs to be submitted in the thesis form for the final examination.

The research project is intended to address a real plant issues in maintenance (reliability) engineering and asset management. The research outcome must be innovative work e.g. development of new method(s) in the plant maintenance and reliability engineering, novel industrial application of different methods, innovative field trials to reduce plant maintenance overhead and enhance plant reliability etc. To achieve this aim, candidates will demonstrate an ability to meet the intended learning outcomes:

• To discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge through original applied industrial research in maintenance, reliability and asset management.
• To produce research outputs that are publishable in high quality journals.
• To present and defend research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or relevant area of professional practice.
• To systematically demonstrate extensive knowledge of the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills.
• To independently and proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses to design, develop and implement plans by which to evaluate these.
• To critically and creatively evaluate current plant issues, research and professional practice.
• To develop advanced levels of interests and informed decisions about a discipline and/or professional practice.
• To clearly communicate research findings and conclusions.
• To make an original contribution to their chosen field.

Apply online

In your application you’ll need to include:

• The name of this programme
• Your research project title (i.e. the advertised project name or proposed project name) or area of research
• Your proposed supervisor’s name
• If you already have funding or you wish to be considered for any of the available funding
• A supporting statement (see 'Advice to Applicants' for what to include)
• Details of your previous university level study
• Names and contact details of your two referees.

• Identified the specific research project, CDT or dual-award you'd like to apply for or, if you already have funding, determined your own research project and title and discussed this with a supervisor.
• Contacted the project supervisor and spoken to them about your suitability for the project.
• Browsed funding you are eligible for and discussed this with your supervisor, if you don't already have your own funding.  

• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research, the area(s) of research you’re interested in, why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed.
• Certificates and transcripts: Certificates and final transcripts of any completed university-level qualifications and interim transcripts for qualifications in progress. If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must provide an official English translation. If your current weighted average mark or GPA is not included on these documents, please also include an official document from your university verifying this information.
• CV: Summarising your academic record and highlighting experience that demonstrates your potential to conduct research.  
• English language proof: A certificate or evidence demonstrating your English language ability and proficiency. Applications can be considered without this evidence but any offer would be conditional on meeting minimum requirements.  
• Referees: Names and contact details of two academic referees who we can get in contact with and will support your application.

Research in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering covers six broad research themes ; aerospace engineering, innovative manufacturing, modelling and simulation, nuclear engineering, resilient systems, and structures in extreme environments. 

The Professional Doctorate (DProf) Programme is a unique opportunity for practising engineers and professionals already working in industry to do applied research in the area of plant maintenance, reliability and asset management. As this is a distance learning programme, candidates can study the DProf from outside the UK while continuing their employment.

At the end of the programme, candidates will make a significant and original contribution to knowledge in general, and to their workplace specifically.  The results of this research shall then be published in high standard/quality journals and finally needs to be submitted in the thesis form for the final examination.

The research project is intended to address a real plant issues in maintenance (reliability) engineering and asset management. The research outcome must be innovative work e.g. development of new method(s) in the plant maintenance and reliability engineering, novel industrial application of different methods, innovative field trials to reduce plant maintenance overhead and enhance plant reliability etc. To achieve this aim, candidates will demonstrate an ability to meet the intended learning outcomes:

• To discover, interpret and communicate new knowledge through original applied industrial research in maintenance, reliability and asset management.
• To produce research outputs that are publishable in high quality journals.
• To present and defend research outcomes which extend the forefront of a discipline or relevant area of professional practice.
• To systematically demonstrate extensive knowledge of the subject area and expertise in generic and subject/professional skills.
• To independently and proactively formulate ideas and hypotheses to design, develop and implement plans by which to evaluate these.
• To critically and creatively evaluate current plant issues, research and professional practice.
• To develop advanced levels of interests and informed decisions about a discipline and/or professional practice.
• To clearly communicate research findings and conclusions.
• To make an original contribution to their chosen field.

Candidates will be assigned a supervisory team comprising at least two members of staff in the chosen field of reliability engineering and asset management (REAM).  Candidates will also be assigned an industrial supervisor.  Since the research topic is likely to be related to the candidate's organisation, the industrial supervisor will be identified once candidates are registered on the course.  The industrial supervisor will act as a sounding board for advice on the ongoing relevance of the research within the organisation.  The involvement of the industrial supervisor will also provide opportunities for early dissemination of ongoing findings and for delivering impacts from the research project.

The candidate will meet the supervisory team formally at least once every two months through video conferencing.  The purpose of these meetings is to provide on-going feedback to the candidate on his/her progress.

Assessment of research progress is made formally towards the end of each year, in accordance with the University policy.  There are no formal taught lectures, but candidates will be supported by eight residential sessions, which they choose to attend when appropriate.  There is no summative assessment of the residential sessions, but candidates will receive feedback on their performance and must complete the eight residential sessions before they can submit the final thesis.  The residential sessions are designed to provide guidance on a range of matters concerning academic research (e.g. the role of the literature, methods, and academic writing) as the candidate makes progress in the research project. 

An annual conference will also be organised, and this conference will coincide with the running of the residential sessions where possible.  The conferences will provide a useful forum for candidates to present their DProf research outputs and network with one another.