Our Sustainability programmes are interdisciplinary, bringing together scientists, engineers and social scientists to research issues and topics central to accelerating emissions reductions and enhancing sustainability and resilience at local, national and international scales.

Our research themes include Reaching Zero Emissions, Accelerating Social Change, Catalysing Adaptation and Resilience and Achieving Well-being. Our vibrant community researchers from diverse academic backgrounds offer a supportive and collaborative environment for world leading impactful research with strong links with stakeholders and excellent employability for graduates.

Programme description

Our Sustainability programmes are interdisciplinary, bringing together scientists, engineers and social scientists to research issues and topics central to accelerating emissions reductions and enhancing sustainability and resilience at local, national and international scales.

Our research themes include Reaching Zero Emissions, Accelerating Social Change, Catalysing Adaptation and Resilience and Achieving Well-being. Our vibrant community researchers from diverse academic backgrounds offer a supportive and collaborative environment for world leading impactful research with strong links with stakeholders and excellent employability for graduates.

Aims

The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded by the University in recognition of the successful completion of a course of supervised research, the results of which show evidence of originality and independent critical judgement and constitute an addition to knowledge.

A PhD is the target of most postgraduate students who relish the opportunity to undertake a research project with intellectual, scientific, industrial or commercial challenges. Individuals with relevant industrial experience are also encouraged to apply for this level of graduate work, which is of particular value for personal and professional development.

Our research students have the opportunity to develop their skills through robust and flexible training that is designed to:

Develop the research skills needed to plan and conduct research, write a thesis and disseminate research findings to stakeholders and the international research community

Gain understanding of the wide variety of research undertaken within the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering and in relevant disciplines across the University

Equip each student with the broader skills to become world leading industry professionals and researchers in the next generation.

Career opportunities

Undertaking a PhD in mechanical, aerospace and civil engineering is both challenging and rewarding. Not only does it provide you with the opportunity to strengthen your research ability but it will also help you to develop a much wider range of skills, required to develop your career in business and industry or in research and an academic environment.

Graduates from mechanical, aerospace and civil engineering leave with a breadth of strong technical and inter-personal skills and expertise far beyond their particular degree specialism. They progress into a wide variety of careers within engineering (e.g. consulting engineers, R&D companies, construction sector) academia, public services (e.g. civil service, policy change) and commerce (e.g. IT, finance). The acquisition of a PhD degree provides a significant career acceleration and facilitates entry into positions with greater responsibility and diverse opportunities. Furthermore, it increasingly provides entrepreneurial opportunities, exploiting skills and knowledge acquired during the programme.