New Opportunity for SMEs in the North East to work with funded Industrial PhD Research Students
Northumbria is collaborating with Durham, Newcastle and Teesside Universities as part of the £3.9m Intensive Industrial Innovation Programme (IIIP) funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The IIIP Programme aims to encourage a culture of innovation that benefits business, leading to greater export opportunities and increased graduate employment, particularly in science and engineering.
The Programme will enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs*) to develop new products and services. They will have support from a dedicated PhD research student for three years, as well as access to senior academic researchers and university research facilities.
Northumbria University has funding for six PhD placements, starting 1st October 2018, for three years. Each Northumbria PhD will exclusively support the research and development needs of an SME partner located in the Northumberland and Tyne & Wear Area, working in the following regionally important sectors:
Ageing; Creative, digital, software and technology based services; Energy and Energy networks; Life sciences and healthcare; Materials integration; Passenger vehicle manufacturing; Subsea and offshore technology; Surface science; Systems satellite applications; and Water.
SMEs that are interested in working in (or hoping to access) the sectors above are asked to contact Alison Vipond, Research Funding and Policy Manager (Industry focus) at Northumbria University. Alison can provide further information and discuss how your SME’s ambitions for growth could be enhanced through dedicated postgraduate research under the IIIP Programme, and assist with your application.
Expressions of interest are invited by midday on 4th June 2018. The Expression of Interest form, available to download here, should be completed and emailed by the deadline to Alison Vipond.
* An SME is defined as a small to medium-sized enterprise that does not employ more than 250 people and has an annual turnover of less than 50 million Euros.
