Centres for Doctoral Training

• AHRC North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership 

The NWCDTP brings together the Universities of Manchester, Keele, Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester Metropolitan, the Royal Northern College of Music and Salford. The DTP offers postgraduate studentships and training across a wide range of the AHRC’s disciplines.

• BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership 

All DTP projects are designed to provide multidisciplinary challenges for students with backgrounds including bioscience, biomedical, mathematical and physical sciences. The focus will be on ‘Interdisciplinary Training’, ‘Enabling New Ways of Working’ and development of ‘Niche Skills’.

The following CDTs are currently open for recruitment:

Manchester-based CDTs

• AI CDT in Decision Making for Complex Systems 

Led by Dr Mauricio A Álvarez, this CDT will train the next generation of AI researchers to develop AI methods designed to accelerate new scientific discoveries.

• CDT in SATURN (Skills and Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear)

Led by Professor Scott Heath, the primary aim of SATURN is to provide high quality research training in science and engineering, underpinning nuclear fission technology. 

• CDT in 2D Materials of Tomorrow (recruiting from September 2025)

Led by Professor Irina Grigorieva, this CDT will focus on a new class of advanced materials with potential to transform modern technologies, from clean energy to quantum engineering.

• CDT in Robotics and AI for Net Zero (RAINZ)

Led by Dr Simon Watson, this CDT will train and develop the next generation of multi-disciplinary robotic systems engineers to help revolutionise lifecycle asset management, in support of the UK’s Net Zero Strategy.

• CDT in Materials 4.0

The CDT in Materials 4.0 with the Henry Royce Institute will train a new generation of researchers from learners to leaders in Materials 4.0, an exciting new field bringing together high-throughput experimentation and modelling, big data and and machine learning to transform materials science. 

External CDTs

• CDT in Aerosol Science

The EPSRC CDT in Aerosol Science is being led by the University of Bristol in partnership with six other institutions of which The University of Manchester is one. The CDT is multidisciplinary, bringing together researchers across the physical, environmental and health sciences, and engineering.

• CDT in Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing (CSM)
  

The EPSRC CDT in Compound Semiconductor Manufacturing is being led by Cardiff University in partnership with The University of Manchester and two other institutions. It has been designed to complement the aims of the world’s first Compound Semiconductor Cluster established in the UK.

• CDT in Fusion Energy Science and Technology
  

The EPSRC CDT in Fusion Power provides training from world-leading experts in a range of fusion-relevant disciplines: materials science, plasma physics, nuclear physics, technology, laser physics, and instrumentation.

• CDT in Developing National Capability in Materials 4.0

The EPSRC CDT in Developing National Capability in Materials 4.0 aims to develop and advocate for new capabilities (methods and techniques) to drive forward the digitalisation of materials research and innovation. 

 

The following CDTs are no longer recruiting:

Manchester-based CDTs

• CDT in Advanced Biomedical Materials

Undertake a fully-funded, four-year EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) PhD in Advanced Biomedical Materials and form part of a strong, internationally leading cohort of interdisciplinary researchers that will help shape the future of biomedical materials research in the UK, and further afield.

• CDT in Science and Applications of Graphene and Related Nanomaterials

This CDT is being replaced by the CDT in 2D Materials of Tomorrow.

Established in 2013 with EPSRC funding and now supported by The University of Manchester and industry, Graphene NOWNANO CDT offers PhD training in science and applications of the fast-growing family of 2D materials. Working closely with the National Graphene Institute and Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre, the CDT offers a unique environment combining academic research and opportunities for innovation.

• CDT in Nuclear Energy - GREEN

This CDT is being replaced by the CDT in SATURN. 

The GREEN CDT is a consortium of the five universities of Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield, which aims to train the next generation of expert nuclear scientists and engineers.

• CDT in Integrated Catalysis (iCAT)

Our fully-funded, four-year EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) PhD in Integrated Catalysis (iCAT) will train students in process engineering, chemical catalysis and biological catalysis, connecting these disciplines and helping to transform the way molecules are made.

External CDTs

• CDT in Advanced Metallic Systems 

Graduates from physical science and engineering disciplines are trained in fundamental metallurgical science and engineering as well as undertaking an industry sponsored, multi-disciplinary cutting-edge doctoral project through our four-year programme.

• CDT in BioDesign Engineering
  

The EPSRC CDT in BioDesign Engineering is being led by Imperial College London in partnership with The University of Manchester and University College London. This CDT will integrate data science alongside engineering and biology as the three key pillars of the training platform.

• CDT in Future Innovation in Non-Destructive evaluation (FIND) 

The FIND EPSRC CDT is being led by the University of Bristol in partnership with five institutions including The University of Manchester. This is a continuation of the previous CDT in Quantitative Non-Destructive Evaluation that ran until 2018.

• North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership 

The University of Manchester, as part of the NWSSDTP consortium, has received ESRC accreditation and funding for doctoral training from 2017 to 2022. The Partnership will offer up to 60 studentships per year to outstanding candidates wishing to pursue doctoral studies in social sciences.

• ESRC-BBSRC Biosocial Research Centre for Doctoral Training

Soc-B CDT is a one of a kind CDT which offers doctoral training in the new and rapidly expanding field of biosocial science research. It is jointly funded by ESRC and BBSRC and a collaboration between UCL, The University of Manchester and The University of Essex to train students researching into links and interplay between a person’s social environment, behaviours and biology.

• ESRC Data Analytics and Society Centre for Doctoral Training

The new Data Analytics and Society CDT is a partnership between the Universities of Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool. It is the only ESRC-funded CDT in New Forms of Data with focus on doctoral training in research involving data created by new technologies, real-time data analysis, data linkage and interoperability of data from different sources research. It will offers at least 10 studentships per year from 2017-18.

• MRC Doctoral Training Partnership 

 Through extended 4 year training the MRC DTP equips early-career researchers across a range of disciplines to apply their expertise into unmet healthcare areas of UK and global importance.  

• Regenerative Medicine CDT (not currently recruiting new students)

The CDT encompasses formal training and PhD research projects that integrate elements of bioengineering, nanotechnology and biomaterials, stem cell biology, extracellular matrix and inflammation, translational gene/cell therapies and tissue engineering.  (Funded jointly with EPSRC.)

•  NERC Doctoral Training Partnership 

The NERC DTP is a partnership between the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool, together with the National Oceanographic Centre. The aim of the DTP is to expose students to the breadth of research in the environmental sciences, while at the same time developing them as cutting-edge scientists in their chosen field.

Fusion Engineering CDT is led by Professor Lee Margetts and aims to provide high quality research and training in fusion engineering.

This underpins the development of UK skills and training for the UK Atomic Energy Authority's Fusion Skills and Training, Education and Training (FOSTER) programme.