Vice-Chancellor's Researcher Development Scheme - Nottingham Trent University

Purpose

Supporting research excellence, nurturing research talent
We create strong relationships that enable discovery, drive innovation, and change both the world and ourselves.

50 fully funded PhD studentships
We offer 50 fully funded PhD studentships across a broad range of disciplines.

Become a Vice-Chancellor's Scholar
Exceptional candidates will be offered the opportunity to become a Vice-Chancellor's Scholar with the option of a one-year position as a full-time research associate at NTU.

About

We create strong relationships that enable discovery, drive innovation, and change both the world and ourselves.

As part of our new strategic plan (2015-2020), we are committed to expanding our research excellence, and to nurturing the next generation of researchers as well as our existing research staff. We recognise the essential contribution our postgraduate community can make in the pursuit of research excellence and impact.

With our ambition to support and develop research excellence, the new Vice-Chancellor's Researcher Development Scheme will enable the strongest research students to take their first steps towards a career as a future research leader.

If you have, or expect to receive, a first-class honours degree, then we can offer you the opportunity to become a Vice-Chancellor's Scholar. This includes the chance to follow your PhD with a one-year position at NTU as a full-time postdoctoral research associate.

We are currently accepting applications for studentships funded under the Vice-Chancellor's Researcher Development Scheme in Arts and Humanities.

Undertaking an MPhil or PhD

Nottingham Trent University offers opportunities to study for an MPhil or PhD by research in all its academic schools. Supervision is available by full-time or part-time study, and can sometimes be provided by distance learning.

We are currently accepting applications for the following PhD projects:

Early modern generals and leadership
French prison cultures
Nuclear literature since the Cold War
Nostalgia for the future: re-imagining lost home in the European borderlands
American women writers and ther transnational connections
Transatlantic village literature
Discourse and the neoliberal university
Postcolonial studies: activism, resistance, conciousness
Maintaining cultural identity among UK-based Pacific islands diaspora
Literature and globalisation
Public health reasoning

We are also accepting applications for PhD research in the following broad areas:

Media, Film or Communication and Society
History or Heritage
English Studies
Languages, Cultures and Philosophy

Supporting your studies

Carrying out research for a PhD, MPhil or ProfD requires different skills from undergraduate or taught postgraduate study. You will mostly work on your own research project, but we also emphasise the importance of regular meetings with your supervisory team.

The team consists of a director of studies (who will usually have expertise in your subject area) and at least one other supervisor selected for their complementary expertise such as relevant research methods.

The Graduate School Team will support you from your initial enquiry, through the application process and the various stages of your degree, until your viva voce examination and subsequent graduation. Once you begin your studies, you will have induction sessions to introduce you to the University, help you settle in and meet other researchers.

Researcher training

In addition to studying for a research degree, students undertaking traditional route PhDs will participate in researcher training. This combines general research training with specific topics associated with your discipline. The training focuses on the requirements of external research funding bodies and government requirements.

We also provide a structured programme of transferable skills training and career development. This is informed by the work of Vitae, the national organisation which support researchers throughout their careers.

What you'll study

Conducting research for an MPhil or PhD degree requires different skills from undergraduate study. You will work independently and in-depth on an original project under the guidance of your supervisory team.

The team is led by a Director of Studies, who will usually have expertise in the specific subject area relevant to your research, and who will take primary responsibility for supervising your work and monitoring your progress. You will also be supported by one or two other supervisors, who will adopt complementary roles and responsibilities. Before applying, you are strongly encouraged to consult the staff profiles on the School website in order to acquaint yourself with the research activity and expertise in the School.

All of our research degrees incorporate a well-chosen programme of study and research training to help you acquire and develop competency in the appropriate methodologies and techniques to support your work.

Research practice programme

Students have the opportunity to take part in the Research Practice Course, a part-time, module-based programme in research practice methodology. This School-wide practical course provides the knowledge, skills and support for you as a postgraduate research student and allows you to work alongside other research students across the Arts and Humanities. The course assists in the transition to research work and into the academic community, while nurturing a reflexive, critical attitude to both.

Your career development

Nottingham Trent University prides itself on the real-world relevance of its courses, and places particular emphasis on helping students to develop the academic and practical know-how that encourages initiative, innovation and academic excellence.

All our research degrees incorporate a programme of supporting studies designed to develop knowledge and skills of all aspects of the research process, including the funding and dissemination of research. This will ensure that you have the necessary expertise to successfully complete your doctoral programme and lay sound foundations for your future career.

Participation in academic conferences, seminars and external networks will cultivate contacts, skills and knowledge essential for successful research practice. These abilities are also transferable to a wide range of other careers. Researchers are also invited to take part in our own Research Conferences giving you the opportunity to present your work and discuss with other researchers at NTU.

There are some opportunities for research students to prepare for an academic career by teaching undergraduate students or supervising laboratory work. Students may also take part in the Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education training programme.

Although formal placements are not a requirement of PhDs, the University has strong links with professionals in business and industry.

There are opportunities to participate in ERASMUS overseas exchanges in some subject areas. The University has links with many other institutions such as:

Sapienza Università di Roma
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
l'Université d'Angers
Universitat Ramon Llull (Barcelona)

Entry requirements

A minimum of a first or upper second-class degree or a Master's degree in a relevant discipline
A period of pre-PhD study is required for some subjects before entry to a PhD
And / or evidence of motivation and ability to conduct research at higher degree level
English language requirements - IELTS 6.5 (with minimum sub-scores of 6.0)
Applicants who have taken a higher degree at a UK university are normally exempt from the English language requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English language proficiency requirement will normally be asked to complete an English Language course.

Application process

To apply for a PhD/MPhil please submit a research proposal (between 1,000 and a maximum of 2,000 words) which addresses the following points:

Provisional title
The topic or area to be investigated (the subject or field that you are going to investigate)
The problem or hypothesis to be tested (the research questions or problem you want to address, the research objectives)
The relationship of the proposed research to the published literature and to current research in the field (how your project relates to other work)
An indication of the unique contribution to knowledge that the thesis is anticipated to make (the gap in research that your work will fill and what you hope to find out)
The methods and techniques to be used in the research (how you propose to go about the research)
A provisional timetable for the project, indicating anticipated activities
If applicable, details of your previous work in the proposed field, or relationship to prior experience or study
Bibliography of sources already consulted or identified as of relevance to your proposal.

How to apply

All applications should be emailed to the Graduate School.

To download the application form, please click on the "Further official information" link below.

Vice-Chancellor's Researcher Development Scheme - Nottingham Trent University

Deadline:

August 29, 2016

Disciplines:

Communication Studies, Culture, English Language and Literature, Film Studies, Foreign Languages and Literature, History, Leadership, Literature, Media, Philosophy, Public Health, Society