Case studies: Research Council funding: Peter Woollen

Peter Woollen is in the final year of his PhD, researching diesel engine cooling system design. His course at Loughborough University is jointly funded by a Research Council grant and his industrial sponsor

Having completed my Masters, I wanted to continue my studies and pursue my education as far as possible. Undertaking a PhD has allowed me to specialise in a field I have a keen interest in, while enhancing my career opportunities.

My PhD focuses on the occurrence of gas in diesel engine cooling systems, its effects and how to mitigate them. I am part of a CAE (computer-aided engineering) Validation Team, so while the experimental data I acquire provides fundamental knowledge in this area, it also facilitates the validation of computational models for my sponsor, Caterpillar. This helps to improve its new product development processes.

My studies are jointly funded by the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) and Caterpillar, who also supported my undergraduate degree.

I became interested in undertaking a PhD during the fourth year of my undergraduate course. I spoke with my tutor to discuss departmental opportunities and he guided me to my current supervisor. On hearing the project details, I immediately decided to apply, particularly as the funding was already in place.

I had to complete a standard application form and submit a sample of my written work. Unlike some applicants, I didn't have to submit a research proposal as I was joining an existing research team and project, but I did attend a number of interviews which were fairly informal and not too nerve-wracking.

The funding covers my tuition, equipment costs, lab time and personal stipend. As part of the EPSRC funding I am also financed to attend conferences. I have presented my work at an Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) conference on engine design and at the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) World Congress in Detroit. Conference attendance provides a fantastic opportunity to develop my communication skills and to network with potential employers. Presenting also adds great weight to my thesis, easing the assessment process.

Perhaps the most off-putting thing with postgraduate study, whatever your subject, is the expense. You can build up quite a debt as an undergraduate, and I couldn’t have afforded to continue my studies without funding. As it is, I did get funding and I feel that my potential employability within my specialist field has really been improved.

My stipend is less than the salary offered on many graduate schemes. So, that might deter some people. However, I think my long-term earning potential has increased, and I’m certainly not falling behind the career progression of people who graduated with me and went straight into industry.

Doing further study has given me plenty of routes to explore - I'm excited about what my future holds.