For the fourth consecutive year, Royce’s prestigious National Cleanroom Training Course has brought together PhD students, researchers, technical professionals and industry engineers to develop essential practical cleanroom skills.
This year, 23 participants took part in the week-long residential programme, hosted at the University of Cambridge and co-delivered by research and technical staff from the University of Leeds, University of Cambridge and Swansea University.
Addressing a national skills need
Working in ultra-clean environments is a critical capability for modern manufacturing and technological innovation. However, there is a recognised shortage of cleanroom expertise, with these highly specialised skills in strong demand across both industrial manufacturing and research and development.
In response, the National Cleanroom Training Course has been designed to equip the next generation of semiconductor scientists, engineers and technical specialists with the practical skills and confidence needed to work effectively in cleanroom environments. The course also supports the UK’s semiconductor capability by strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange between major university cleanroom facilities, industry partners and the wider research community.
A national programme funded by three universities
The course was conceived and developed collaboratively by the University of Leeds, University of Cambridge and Swansea University, with support from the Henry Royce Institute. Over the past four years, the programme has been delivered across the three university cleanroom sites, drawing on the combined expertise, facilities and technical knowledge of each partner institution.
The 2026 programme was delivered in partnership with the University of Leeds, University of Cambridge, Swansea University, CORDE and the CS Connected Industry Cluster.
Strengthening semiconductor capability
Manish Chhowalla, Goldsmiths’ Professor of Materials Science and Deputy Head for Research and Philanthropy, said:
Cleanroom training is fundamental to the future of materials science and semiconductor research. These environments are where ideas move from theory to reality, and it is essential that our students and researchers develop the practical skills, discipline and confidence required to work at the highest standards. Programmes such as this not only address a critical skills shortage but also strengthen the pipeline between academic research and industrial innovation, ensuring the UK remains globally competitive in advanced technologies.”
Semiconductors are materials, such as silicon, whose electrical conductivity lies between that of conductors and insulators. Their properties can be precisely controlled through processes such as doping and the application of electric fields, making them the foundation of modern electronic devices. From computer processors and sensors to lasers and communication systems, semiconductors underpin much of today’s technology.
In the UK research landscape, semiconductors are particularly critical, enabling advances in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, renewable energy and medical diagnostics. Strong semiconductor research capability is essential for translating cutting-edge science into high-value industries and driving economic growth.
Cutting-edge facilities
Each year, course participants are given a unique opportunity to access and use some of the UK’s leading cleanroom facilities, receiving high-quality training in environments that are often inaccessible to learners working outside of major research centres.
The 2026 programme marked the first year that the National Cleanroom Training Course was hosted at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Physics, the Cavendish Laboratory. The training took place in the state-of-the-art Ray Dolby Centre, a £300 million development at West Cambridge that opened in 2025. The course has previously been hosted at Swansea University and the University of Leeds.
The bespoke cleanroom facilities within the Ray Dolby Centre represent a £1.9 million investment. The 4,080 m² modular cleanroom features an advanced partitioning system designed to both showcase and protect the internal cleanroom spaces. These are visible from the building’s atrium, while still allowing sensitive work to be discreetly screened when required.
A diverse cohort from research & industry
This year’s cohort included 23 participants from institutions across the UK, comprising nine PhD students, three postdoctoral research associates, two academics, five Research Technical Professionals and four industry participants.
This balance of early-career researchers, technical specialists, students and industry representatives reflects one of the strengths of the course: bringing together people from across the semiconductor and cleanroom ecosystem to learn collaboratively and share expertise that will deliver a tangible benefit to the future of UK research and innovation.
The practical training delivered on this year’s course was provided collaboratively by the team at the University of Cambridge and three Research Technical Professionals from the University of Leeds and Swansea University. Collectively, staff from the three universities spent significant time ahead of the programme undertaking site visits, refining processes and preparing presentations to ensure participants received a high-quality practical learning experience. The course also featured 11 speakers from both academia and industry, sharing insights from a range of different backgrounds and working environments.
A learner’s perspective
Russell King, Head of Technology Innovation at SPT Labtech / Quantifoil MicroTools GmbH, commented:
This course has proved essential in helping me understand the limitations of the technologies, while giving me the language I need to support my team in overcoming challenging process development issues. It has also enabled me to interact more effectively with external institutions around the world to extend our capabilities.”
The continued success of the National Cleanroom Training Course reflects the significant cooperation, knowledge exchange and support shared between the University of Leeds, University of Cambridge and Swansea University, as well as the value of connecting academic cleanroom expertise with industry need.
The course will return to the University of Leeds in 2027.
Learn more
Watch this video from the Royce YouTube channel to learn more about the cleanroom skills course.
Learn more about the cleanroom facilities at the University of Leeds, Swansea University and the University of Cambridge.
Check out our events page, which includes our technical training courses.
