University benefits from major investment in next generation of scientists

Three Doctoral Landscape Awards will enable us to train and support more research students across science, engineering and health
Emily Vernon. PhD title: Assessing the impact of ionising radiation on aquatic organisms
The University of Plymouth is to receive a share of more than £500million being invested across the UK to support the next generation of researchers.
The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding will support doctoral students to develop skills and experience across the biological sciences, engineering and physical sciences, and natural and environmental sciences.
It is being administered through two schemes – Doctoral Landscape Awards and Doctoral Focal Awards – launched by UKRI to create increased expertise and opportunities across a range of disciplines.
Within that, the University has secured funding to either lead or collaborate on three Doctoral Landscape Awards schemes for at least the next five years.
It will enable the University to enhance its existing expertise in disciplines including environmental science, biology, offshore renewable energy and health technologies.

This funding is great news for the University.

I am delighted that we have been able to secure support from UKRI to train more outstanding research students. These are disciplines critical to the future health and prosperity of our planet and all its living species, and we can now work to equip these aspiring researchers with essential skills so they can play a key role in tackling these important global challenges.

Kevin JonesProfessor Kevin Jones
Deputy Vice-Chancellor - Research and Innovation

 

Innovations in Healthy and Carbon neutral living (IHC)

The University is leading a new Doctoral Landscape Award designed to foster a new generation of researchers in offshore renewable energy and health and medical technologies.
Funded through a grant of over £1.7million from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the initiative will build on existing areas of research excellence spearheaded by the University’s Centre for Decarbonisation and Offshore Renewable Energy and Centre for Health Technology .
Working in partnership with universities and industry at a national and international level, it will focus on subjects including engineering, AI and digital data, and the potential for technology to transform health and healthcare.
“Fields such as climate change and social robotics may seem on the face of it to have little in common. But the emerging science that underpins them both spans subjects including mathematical science, physical sciences, engineering and computing. This new funding will enable research students to benefit from a wide range of expertise and facilities to explore new innovations in these areas.”

Advanced Research and Innovation in the Environmental Sciences (ARIES)

The ARIES Doctoral Training was launched in 2018 thanks to funding from the Natural Environment Research Council. Since then, a number of students have commenced or completed their PhDs, going on to secure further research posts or careers in the private sector.
The new ARIES Doctoral Landscape Award, also funded by NERC, will see Plymouth working as part of a consortium of UK universities.
Research students coming to Plymouth will be trained to conduct cutting-edge research, in areas such as atmospheric and ocean science, biodiversity and conservation, geosciences and natural hazards, the application of microbiological and genetic science to environmental problems, and sustainability of water, energy and food supplies.
Professor Gregory Price , Professor of Earth Sciences and Deputy Director of ARIES, said:
“We are truly delighted to receive this UKRI funding and the opportunity to continue working as part of the ARIES partnership. It is testimony to the success of this collaboration and we look forward to training more postgraduate research students in all aspects of environmental sciences in the forthcoming years.”

South West Biosciences (SWBio)

The University has become a new associate member of the SWBio DTP consortium, supported by a £22.4million investment from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
It will work alongside the other DTP partners to train early career researchers in agriculture, health and biosciences, including specific disciplines such as crop and animal sciences, aquaculture, and soil health.
Dr Mick Hanley , Associate Professor of Plant-Animal Interactions and the University’s representative on the SWBIO Management Board, said:
“We are delighted to be joining this exceptionally prestigious consortium and play our part in providing the UK with the scientists needed to grow our economy and help solve complex scientific problems. The award also recognises and confirms the University’s status as an emerging international player in biosciences research.”
 

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