Current undergraduate training of engineers, chemists and biologists does not prepare them for the challenge of working in bioprocess development distinguished by disciplinary interfaces.

The EngD programme will address a strategic shortfall and a new generation of graduates made accessible to industry to drive both the research agenda and knowledge transfer of underlying concepts into industry.

The EngD philosophy is particularly appropriate in providing the degree of industrial interaction, exposure to commercial realities and the provision of industrial facing research that will impact in an appropriate time frame on the business sector.

Whereas PhD learning is typically examined against research capability in a tightly focused area, the EngD assessment criteria require additional skill sets to be acquired in terms of business acumen.

‘39% of pharmaceutical companies have long-term vacancies’

UK industry has successfully relied on the implementation of advanced science and technical capability to remain ahead in fields such as drug development. However the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies report that over a quarter of bioscience companies do not have sufficient science skills. 39% of bioscience/ pharmaceutical companies have long-term vacancies; with 22% having skill shortages in the science arena (five times that for other sectors).

An assessment of the increase needed in terms of trained people entering the sector was made by bioProcessUK. Their industrial survey reported by Tony Bradshaw, Director of bioProcessUK, estimated an increase of 100 trained personnel was required by industry on top of the current 150 doctoral level candidates graduating per year.

The objective of the EngD is to directly address this shortfall through the training of graduates who have the necessary skill set to address this gap.

 

Association of Engineering Doctorate (AEngD)

 

AEngD is a 'shared service' organisation that supports Industrial Doctorate Centres (IDC), funded by EPSRC UK and sponsored by various Industries across the UK.

Their primary objective is to recruit and retain full cohorts each year-on-year of high calibre Research Engineers and to provide them with an innovative and exciting training experience of high industrial relevance as well as academically rigorous.

Engineering Doctorate (EngD) programmes, provided by IDCs, offer a multi and cross disciplinary education and training at a post graduate level in engineering and related disciplines.

More information can be found on the AEngD website

+ 03.01 EngD (Learn more)