EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in UK Semiconductor Industry Future Skills

Up to 5 PhD projects will be available for October 2026 for UK applicants at the new EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in UK Semiconductor Industry Future Skills (UK-SIFS) at the University of Leeds.<br /> <br /> The award provides:<br /> <br /> Fees at standard Research Council home rate;<br /> A maintenance grant (&pound;21,805 in session 2026/27 for full time study, part time will be pro rata at 50%). This amount increases per annum in line with the Research Council UK rate;<br /> A TechX UK top up for UK applicants brings stipend annual payments to c. &pound;31,750;<br /> Full time awards provide full fees and maintenance for 4 years (part time awards are pro-rata).<br /> <br />

<p>The CDT is a joint initiative with the Swansea University’s Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials and will recruit at least 50 students over 5 annual cohorts between the two sites. Distinctive features and benefits of the CDT include:<br /> •    Cohort approach providing peer to peer support<br /> •    Multi-disciplinary projects with a broad range of semiconductor industry engagement opportunities<br /> •    Bespoke technical training and events (e.g. cleanroom fabrication skills, advanced characterisation, technology translation)<br /> •    Dedicated academic team at Leeds to support you<br /> •    Access to the Bragg Centre for Materials Research<br /> •    Access to a suite of specialist materials experimental facilities including equipment unique to the UK and Europe<br /> •    TechX UK top up for UK applicants bringing stipend annual payment to c. £31,750</p> <p>Details of the programme format can be found in the <a href="https://students.leeds.ac.uk/postgraduate-research-during-research/doc/programme-study-doctor-philosophy-semiconductor-industry-future-skills">Programme Specification</a>.</p> <p><br /> Applications are now open:</p> <ul> <li>Applications can be submitted for the predefined projects only (see below).  Please note that a maximum of 5 of the available projects will be funded.  </li> <li>Awards must be taken up by 1 October 2026</li> <li>Applicants who have previously been awarded a PhD or are currently registered on a PhD are excluded from applying.  Those who were previously studying for a PhD but did not complete may be considered.</li> <li>Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this studentship.</li> <li>All students are expected to take part in our training programme which will be held at the University of Leeds, University of Swansea and at Industrial partner sites. </li> </ul> <p><strong>Predefined projects</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/automating-electron-microscopy-workflows-nanoscale-volumes-and-native-state-analysis/?p195530">Automating electron microscopy workflows: nanoscale volumes and native state analysis</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/tuning-the-properties-of-silicon-oxynitride-coatings-for-micro-and-opto-electronic-applications/?p195536">Tuning the properties of silicon oxynitride coatings for micro- and opto-electronic applications</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/light-controlled-magnetic-materials-for-next-generation-computing/?p195534">Light-controlled magnetic materials for next-generation computing</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/ultra-fast-magneto-plasmonic-memory-for-next-generation-data-storage/?p195533">Ultra-fast magneto-plasmonic memory for next generation data storage</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/development-of-next-generation-fluidfm-probes-using-advanced-semiconductor-processing-technologies/?p195527">Development of next-generation FluidFM probes using advanced semiconductor processing technologies</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/the-physics-of-tunable-surface-acoustic-wave-devices-from-bismuth-ferrite/?p195532">The physics of tunable surface acoustic wave devices from bismuth ferrite</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/biased-solid-state-devices-for-linear-and-non-linear-terahertz-science/?p195528">Biased solid-state devices for linear and non-linear terahertz science</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/surface-acoustic-phonon-and-dirac-quasiparticle-interaction-in-semiconductors-with-strong-spin-orbit-coupling/?p195535">Surface acoustic phonon and Dirac quasiparticle interaction in semiconductors with strong spin orbit coupling</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/magnetic-kagome-thin-film-heterostructures/?p195531">Magnetic kagome thin film heterostructures</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/quantum-cascade-lasers-for-nuclear-fusion-monitoring/?p195529">Quantum cascade lasers for nuclear fusion monitoring</a></li> </ul> <p> </p>

<p>To apply for the scholarship, apply for a research place of study, through the<a href="https://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon"> online application form</a>. Please select the Planned Course of Study “<strong>EPSRC CDT in UK Semiconductor Industry Future Skills</strong>”.</p> <p>You will also need to state in the finance section that you are applying for the EPSRC CDT in Semiconductor Industry Future Skills and include the title of the Project you are applying to undertake (as outlined in the Predefined projects section of the advert).  You will be expected to meet our eligibility criteria<a href="https://ahc.leeds.ac.uk/music-research-degrees/doc/doctor-philosophy-phd-1"> </a>for PhD candidates as outlined below in the Entry Requirements section. </p> <p><strong>You will be required to provide a personal statement which outlines your interest in the project you are applying for, why you have chosen it and how your skills map onto the requirements of the project.</strong></p> <p>Applications will be considered after the closing date of <strong>Wednesday 8 April 2026</strong>.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application.  </p> <p>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of 8 April 2026:</p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date including the grading scheme</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this research degree programme should normally have minimum 2:1 or Merit Masters level degree (e.g. MEng, MChem, MPhys) degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline equivalent from areas including but not limited to: Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Physics and Mathematics'<br /> <br /> Applicants will also be considered with a degree equivalent to a UK upper second class bachelor honours degree in an engineering, mathematics or science discipline and with extensive industry experience.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid. Some schools and faculties have a higher requirement.

<p>For further information please contact the CDT via Bragg Centre via <a href="mailto:BraggCentre@leeds.ac.uk">BraggCentre@leeds.ac.uk</a> or contact the PGR Admissions Team via: <a href="mailto:phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk">phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk</a></p>