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Seven universities, one programme.
STAND-UP is delivered by a consortium of seven leading UK research universities, led by the University of Strathclyde, with funding from EPSRC and UKRI. Each partner brings distinct expertise that contributes to the EngD programme's research themes and training.
Lead institution
University of Strathclyde.
Lead partner
Hosted by the SEARCH centre at Strathclyde.
The University of Strathclyde leads the STAND-UP consortium through the SEARCH centre, the Sensor Enabled Automation Robotics & Control Hub, which sits within the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering (CUE). SEARCH is one of the UK's leading research groupings for sensor systems, automated inspection and robotics in safety-critical sectors.
Strathclyde co-ordinates programme governance, the 12 month taught component, the five three-week residentials and EngD@Work places, alongside running its own portfolio of STAND-UP projects.
Partner universities
Six partner institutions delivering the consortium.
Lancaster University
Robotics, teleoperation, tactile sensing, edge intelligence and autonomous inspection for nuclear maintenance and decommissioning. Lead institution for three STAND-UP projects covering shared autonomy, embedded edge AI and control-aware underwater inspection.
Lancaster University
Robotics, teleoperation, tactile sensing, edge intelligence and autonomous inspection for nuclear maintenance and decommissioning. Lead institution for three STAND-UP projects covering shared autonomy, embedded edge AI and control-aware underwater inspection.
University of Derby
Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering
Predictive digital twins, integrated computational materials engineering, additive manufacturing of nuclear components, and reliability modelling for safety critical structures. Lead institution for STAND-UP projects spanning materials and design assurance.
University of Surrey
Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Composite materials, structural health monitoring, embedded sensing and digital twinning for safety-critical components. Currently running a STAND-UP EngD on embedded strain sensors for process monitoring, with AWE as a confirmed industry partner.
University of Nottingham
Faculty of Engineering
Digital engineering, digital threads, trustworthy digital twins, build philosophies for high integrity assemblies, and risk-aware robotic manufacturing in safety critical sectors. Lead institution for four STAND-UP projects in digital manufacturing.
University of Birmingham
School of Metallurgy & MaterialsSchool of Engineering
Advanced materials, nuclear engineering and structural integrity research.
University of Cumbria
Institute of Science & Environment
Place-based engagement with the Cumbrian nuclear cluster, workforce development and applied research.
Funders
Funded by EPSRC and UKRI.
STAND-UP is supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, part of UK Research and Innovation, under the Nuclear Skills Doctoral Focal Award.
Industry partners
Working with industry across the defence nuclear enterprise.
STAND-UP projects are co-designed with industry partners who host EngD placements, contribute funding, and bring live engineering challenges to the cohort. Confirmed industry partners on current projects include:
AWE
Embedded sensing and digital twinning for safety-critical composite structures.
Malin Group
Heavy steel components and the Maritime Supply Chain Innovation Centre.
Sonomatic
Underwater structural integrity inspection.
BAE Systems
Submarine build and in-process ultrasonic weld inspection.
Risktec (sought)
Causal inference workflows for condition monitoring and safety cases.
TG0 Ltd
Tactile sensing for shared autonomy and edge intelligence in decommissioning.
Fraunhofer
Hyperspectral imaging for nuclear canister assessment.
Rolls-Royce (sought)
Digital twins of propulsion systems and surrogate modelling for certification.
Industry partners welcome.
Interested in hosting a STAND-UP EngD placement, sponsoring a project, or joining the consortium? Get in touch with the programme team to discuss.