(UK) Doctoral Training Centre Vs Traditional PhD

[JesseC]

I'm approaching the end of an MPhys Degree and weighing up the various options available to me, and I'm fairly certain that I want to pursue a Ph.D. in something to do with physics. I'm also very interested in combined fields such as nanotechnology, nuclear fission, other methods of energy generation and Earth sciences.

From what I've read about Doctoral Training Centres (e.g. NOWNano, Nuclear FiRST, E-Futures) they seem like the perfect thing for me, combining a broad range of disciplines and a whole group of students in one place. After an initial year of learning the chemistry/engineering/stuff I'll need, I get to choose a Ph.D. topic.

This also seems quite opposed to what I understand a traditional Ph.D. to involve; working with one very specific research group from start to end, along side others doing very similar things to yourself.

I wonder if anyone here has experience/advice about advantages/disadvantages of going into a DCT rather than a traditional Ph.D.? Would I be better placed for an academic career after a trad Ph.D.? Better placed for an engineering type job in a DCT? Do you end up working with a single research group anyway at the end of a DCT course? Anything else I haven't thought of...

 

[R.Mesri]

My main worry is that I won't get the chance to specialise as much in a DCT and therefore be less employable when I finish. Any advice would be appreciated!