Our CDT has a multi-institutional, cohort-based training approach with strong industrial partnerships. It will maintain scholarly depth in a specialism and provide an understanding of the issues throughout the manufacturing process, fully equip you with transferable skills and supply a future-ready breadth of practical skills.
Our approach
Our approach is a 1+3 PhD where the first year is based in Cardiff. You’ll receive training in an environment with access to manufacturing tools and processes (including design), where an appreciation of the full manufacturing chain will be developed.
You will be working on your own research project, based on your interests and skills, and will be contributing to the aims of the Centre overall. There is a dedicated office/study space for the CDT with your own designated workspace, a kitchen area and adjacent staff offices.
Year 1
You will build a strong foundation by undertaking an MSc programme in either Compound Semiconductor Physics or Compound Semiconductor Electronic Engineering, depending on your interests. If you successfully complete all requirements, you can earn an MSc as part of the PhD programme.
Through the Masters modules and guest speaker programme, you will have an opportunity to become familiar with research across the four partners – Cardiff University, University of Manchester, University of Sheffield or University College London – and explore a variety of research projects prior to making a decision about your PhD project. You will develop the plan for the PhD project and the three-month summer project with your supervisor(s) as part of a structured taught module.
Note that the module choices available for the Masters course may be slightly reduced compared to the ‘stand-alone’ MSc course. Please see the Year One tab for more details of the CDT MSc structure.
Due to COVID-19, we have had a mixed mode of delivery for the 2020 intake. Autumn and Spring lab-based modules were delivered in-person in small groups with COVID-19 precautions. The remainder of modules, the CDT seminars and journal club have been held on-line. We held several in person CDT meetings, in between lockdowns, and students were able to use the CDT student office space on a rota basis, following COVID-safe guidelines. Updates for the 2021-22 session will provided as they become available.
Years 2 to 4
In years 2 to 4, you will undertake your PhD project at one of the four partners universities. All four institutions are leaders in compound semiconductor research with state-of-the-art facilities. You will continue to participate in group activities and maintain contact with your CDT colleagues.