Power Networks are at the heart of any approach to decarbonise the energy system. 

In the very near future, power networks will need to support the integration of renewable electrical generation, the conversion of heating provision from gas to electricity, the increased use of electric vehicles and the dynamics of demand management.

Delivering solutions to these challenges will not just require technical expertise but also social and behavioural change, new business and financial models, plus new approaches to planning and governance of power networks.

The Centre for Doctoral Training in Power Networks at The University of Manchester is specifically established to address these issues by providing a cross-disciplinary research environment.

Applications are invited for up to 13 fully-funded PhD places on this four-year programme, including a tax free stipend of £17,500pa (equivalent to a salary of circa £22,500pa).

By the end of the programme not only will you have received high quality training on a specific research topic, you will have also developed invaluable skills and experience from across research boundaries combined with the confidence to address the problems of users outside academia -including industry, government and the wider community.

The programme consists of an initial multi-disciplinary taught programme of nine months followed by a 3¼ year period of focused PhD level research, carried out under the supervision of a team of supervisors and advisors. Benefits of the programme include:

• access to an integrated group of PhD supervisors from Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Architecture, Planning, Humanities and Business disciplines.
• joining the UK’s largest power networks engineering research group with access to unique UK facilities
• a structured programme of personal and professional development activities alongside formal academic training
• strong involvement with industry partners from across the power networks value chain - these represent the OFGEM regulated network of operators, plant and equipment manufacturers, SMEs and companies that design, build and maintain the UK’s Power Network infrastructure. 

We welcome applications from UK and EU nationals resident in the UK for more than three years who have or expect to obtain a First or good Upper Second class UK honours degree, or a good first degree with an additional UK Masters degree at a distinction level (or international equivalents) in one of the subject areas listed below:

• Engineering: Electrical, Electronic, Mechanical or Civil
• Mathematics
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Geography/Planning
• Economics/Business
• Other subject areas of relevance and importance to the future power networks sector.

Further information can be obtained by visiting our website www.power-networks-cdt.manchester.ac.uk or by email to Power-Networks-CDT<στο>manchester.ac.uk