AMRC launches Industrial Doctorate Centre
1 min read
A new Industrial Doctorate Centre (IDC), aimed at helping the brightest engineering postgraduates work with industry to develop new technologies and skills, has been launched by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) with Boeing.
The centre, to be operated jointly by the AMRC and the University's department of mechanical engineering, will provide engineering doctorate (EngD) training with a focus on machining science. EngD is a well-established programme for talented postgraduate engineers who want a career in industry, providing a vocationally-oriented alternative to the traditional PhD. The industrial doctorate combines taught modules to bring students up to best industrial practice, with original research based on real business problems, brought together under a common theme.
The Sheffield IDC will be based at the AMRC's facilities on the Advanced Manufacturing Park. It will take in an initial five postgraduate students per year for four years, with each studying for four years of fully-funded research. Once the centre is established, it will be able to take up to 20 students per year.
The Sheffield centre is one of five nationwide to secure stimulus funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The research council is providing £1.25 million towards launch costs, with the remainder coming from the universities and industrial partners.
Professor Keith Ridgway, research director at the AMRC with Boeing, said: "This new doctorate centre gives the AMRC a valuable new resource in our mission to carry out world-class research in collaboration with our industrial partners, and maintain our position as a global centre of research excellence. Students will have the opportunity to work in our state-of-the-art facilities alongside our world-leading experts in machining science, carrying out research of real technical and commercial significance.
The Sheffield IDC is supported by global businesses including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems and Messier-Dowty, and leading local manufacturers such as Technicut and Dormer Tools. The new centre will also encourage SMEs to become involved with research students, allowing the regional manufacturing base to benefit from the brightest engineering talent.
