Brunel University, London, together with eight other leading institutions, is creating a new London Doctoral Training Partnership specialising in training the next generation of environmental scientists, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).
Part of a £100 million programme involving 15 Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs) across the UK, the London group has been allocated 24 studentships per year for the next five years. These will be supplemented by 12 further studentships per year and international fee waivers offered by the participating institutions.
The DTPs offer postgraduate studentships and training across the full range of NERC disciplines, and in multidisciplinary environments. Students will receive in-depth, advanced research training, as well as training in the professional and transferable skills necessary to work effectively in modern economies.
Brunel’s partners in the London DTP are UCL, Birkbeck University of London, the Institute of Zoology, King’s College London, the Natural History Museum, Queen Mary University of London, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, and Royal Holloway University of London.
The members of the partnership have strong links to businesses, policy-makers, public and third sector organisations. 30 percent of the studentships will be offered as business-linked studentships, conducting research that is of direct relevance to the business partner.
Business organisations involved in the programme include AstraZeneca, Glaxosmithkline, Pfizer, Thames Water, BHP Billiton, Lloyds of London, Microsoft International and Ove Arup.
Leading the bid for Brunel, Head of Brunel’s Institute for the Environment Professor Susan Jobling said: “This partnership is a real boost for Brunel, for our students and for environmental science. It provides valuable opportunities for our PhD students during and after their study.”
Brunel's Business School will offer enrolment in their flagship Business Life Programme to all students. This highly successful employability programme includes a variety of events and training to enhance students' job-ready skills and work tools. Participation allows students to gain recognised qualifications and a genuine employability advantage.