The Superconductivity-CDT programme aims to develop knowledge, understanding and conduct research in the broad interdisciplinary subject of superconductivity. The subject area is at the forefront of efforts to reduce use of fossil fuels, improve healthcare and develop novel quantum technologies. The training aspects of the CDT will give students holistic knowledge of the various aspects of superconductivity, ranging from the fundamental science, through the development of new materials and the optimisation of existing ones and to the use of superconductors for applications ranging from magnets for nuclear fusion reactors and magnetic resonance imaging machines, power transmission, and quantum devices such as those uses for quantum computing applications. The programme will draw on knowledge from Physics, Chemistry, Materials science and Engineering.  The programme includes training on transferrable skills such as writing and presentations skills, outreach and public engagement, and business and entrepreneurship.

An important aspect of the programme is that it places an emphasis on encouraging students to work together both as a cohort and between different year groups. It contains several specific mechanisms to promote cohort development. These include three cohort-wide residential training weeks distributed over the academic year, an annual conference, cross-cohort group projects and seminars, and shared mentoring. Students will benefit from each other’s knowledge and insights, understanding and taking interest in problems outside of their specialism and contributing to each other’s progress and training through peer-to-peer learning. For example, engineers who are using superconductors to make large scale machines and devices will gain a better understanding of the limits imposed by the fundamental physics and interact with materials scientists who are optimising the materials from which their devices are constructed. Likewise, students working on fundamental science will gain a better understanding of potential technological implications of their work and the pathway of development needed for its eventual practical application.

Research is central to the programme. The research project begins right at the start of the course and continues throughout, thus giving students perspective on the taught part of the course and building engagement. Throughout the programme each student will be assigned a primary Supervisor who will help with appropriate choices of lecture and practical modules and will be the first point of contact for direction in the research journey.

The first year of the programme consists of a series of modules which transitions students from undergraduates to independent scientists ready to pursue research in superconductivity at the graduate level, or alternatively to work outside academia with high level expertise in the field. This is accomplished through a balance of taught courses, seminars, and group and independent research projects, with both theoretical and practical aspects. The course is delivered in partnership between the Universities of Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford. Lecture courses will be delivered partially in hybrid form, or in-person during one of the 3 week long training weeks when the whole cohort comes together. Our industrial and facility partners will enrich these courses by delivering lectures that demonstrate real-world applications of superconducting technologies within their organizations.

Our first-year training programme includes a ‘Partner placement’ module which consists of a short project co-designed with one of our industrial / research facility partners and is normally done away from from the home institution. Partners are based in the UK, Europe and the USA. Funding for travel and accommodation during this placement will be provided by the CDT. For students who are unable to travel there is the possibility to conduct this ‘placement’ in the home institution with the partners interacting remotely.

Part of our first-year training programme involves Residential Weeks which will be alternate between Bristol, Cambridge and Oxford. It is expected that students will travel to these training weeks when away from the home institution.  Travel, accommodation and subsistence funding will be provided by the CDT.  There is no mandatory content in these residential weeks which cannot be accessed remotely.

Some of our research projects are partially or fully funded by our industrial / research facility partners. These projects will normally involve spending significant time with the partners at their location, which maybe in the UK or abroad.  Typically, this will be around 50% of the course duration (i.e. 2 years). Expectations for where the project is conducted will be made clear to students applying for specific projects at the recruitment stage.

It is possible to take the programme on a part time basis (half-time), with the first year being split across two years, and then a further 6 years for the further research component and write up. There is flexibility in how the units will be divided up between the first two years depending on the individual circumstances and when the programme is started.

The first year of the programme encompasses broad training in the science and techniques essential for cutting-edge research in superconductivity. The programme includes the following.

(i) Lecture courses to provide students with a comprehensive perspective on the subject, enabling them to comprehend and engage with literature and scientists beyond the scope of their specific research projects.

(ii) Practical Techniques modules to give training in experimental and computational skills.

(iii) A seminar module to give training in presentation and literature-based research skills.

iv) A group project to give training in team-working to solve complex problems.

(v) A mini project with our external industrial / research facility partners to give experience in working in a non-university setting and on a subject different from their main PhD research project. This will normally be completed off-site in a placement with one of our partners but there is an option to complete it at the home institution for those who are unable to travel.

(vi) A research project which gives in-depth training on practical techniques, project management, note taking and data analysis. This research project forms the first phase of the PhD project.