Innovation Centre for Sensor & Imaging Systems

www.censis.org.uk

Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Sensor and Imaging Systems

Information for Academics

CENSIS EngD Studentships As part of its remit to support training and skills development, CENSIS provides funding to support up to 15 research studentships via the Engineering Doctorate (EngD) in Sensor and Imaging Systems.

EngD places an emphasis on industrially focused research in a commercial environment, supplemented with a taught programme comprising technical and business studies elements. EngD students - known as Research Engineers (REs) - work on research of interest to an industry sponsor and may spend the majority of their time on site at the company’s premises. Academically equivalent to a traditional PhD, it is aimed at able and ambitious graduates looking for a long-term

career in industry.

Programme StructureEngD is a full-time, four-year programme, comprising:

INDUSTRY-FOCUSED RESEARCH

~~ All projects have at least one industry sponsor

~~ Research is driven and directed by the sponsoring company

~~ REs spend up to 75% of the total programme on-site with the sponsoring company

TAUGHT STUDY

~~ Completed full-time in Year 1, or part-time over Years 1-3 of the programme

~~ Includes on-campus and distance learning options

Following completion of the programme, a thesis on a single subject or a ‘portfolio’ of reports on related topics is submitted. Theses are examined in a similar way to a PhD.

Aimed at able and ambitious graduates looking for a long-term career in industry

3 YEARS

1 YEAR

EngD places an emphasis on industrially focused research in a commercial environment, supplemented with a taught programme comprising technical and business studies elements

CENSIS CONTRIBUTES

C£80KOVER

4 YEARS

ANNUAL ENTRY FROM SEPTEMBER

Opportunities and BenefitsProjects are distinguished by their connection to industry. Particular benefits for academics involved in supervising EngD projects include:

~~ Routes to collaborative research and development with an industrial partner.

~~ Supervisors receive an annual allowance for each project, to be used as they please to support their own research interests.

~~ Possible access to industry facilities.

~~ Potential exploitation route for academic IP.

~~ EngD REs are included as PhD students within university assessment and measurement activities.

Supervision EffortThe academic supervisor provides technical input to the project and ensures the work being carried out by the RE is of appropriate quality for that of a doctorate qualification. Overall, supervision of an EngD RE is likely to take up less time compared with the effort required to supervise a PhD student as an industry supervisor manages the day-to-day supervision of the RE while they are on site with the sponsor.

The academic supervisor would meet the RE and the company normally on a monthly basis, either by conference call or onsite company visit.

Stipend & Industry CostsSuitably qualified and residentially eligible (Scotland/EU) REs receive an award comprising tuition fees, an enhanced, tax-free stipend and funding to support training and conference attendance.

CENSIS contributes c£80k to the studentship over four years.

Sponsoring companies make an annual cash contribution for each project they support: £10k pa for SMEs/£15k pa for large companies.

Academic AllowanceAcademic supervisors receive an allowance of £13k over the lifetime of the programme for each project they supervise. This may be spent as they wish on their own research activities, and do not have to be connected to EngD activity.

Industry Eligibility Companies and organisations of any size may benefit from EngD. To receive support from CENSIS, industry sponsors must have a research or operational base in Scotland at which the project and RE will be based.

Recruitment & Selection Academic entry requirements for EngD are equivalent to entry to PhD, normally 1st class or 2:1 at MEng/MPhys or other appropriate subject. Candidates with BEng/BSc qualifications may also be considered.

Candidates are assessed on academic ability as well as suitability for industrial research. Following an initial interview with the Programme Director, candidates are interviewed by the industry sponsor to assess them for suitability and fit within the organisation, after which a joint decision is made on the appointment.

Employee secondment to EngD is also possible under favourable terms, allowing an engineer to complete the degree while remaining a full-time employee of the industry sponsor.

Start DatesMost projects start in September, though it may be possible to start at other times of the year.

Research Themes & ProposalsProjects are invited in any subject area relevant to the strategic objectives of CENSIS. Decisions to support a project are based on the quality of the proposal; relevance of the project to CENSIS’ research priorities; and alignment with the technical challenges of the industry sponsor.

Intellectual PropertyAgreements with IP are discussed between the university and the industry sponsor on an individual basis. This may include Background IP from the academic supervisor or Foreground IP developed by the supervisor in connection with the project.

Further InformationAcademics with an industry partner and project idea are invited to discuss this with staff at CENSIS or with the EngD Programme Director and submit a Project Proposal Form for review. Proposals should include outline information on the research to be undertaken alongside with the potential downstream economic benefits for the industry partner.

Research staff seeking an industry partner should approach their own university’s Research and Knowledge Exchange office for advice and assistance. While the EngD Programme Director or CENSIS staff may be able to offer advice, they are unable to provide a bespoke company partnering service.

Contacts Siân WilliamsBusiness Development ManagerCENSIS, 121 George Street, Glasgow G1 1RDTel: 0141 330 3628 Email: sian.williams@censis.org.uk

Dr Tony KellyEngD in Sensor and Imaging Systems Programme DirectorSchool of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ

Tel: 0141 330 8443 Email: anthony.kelly@glasgow.ac.uk

www.censis.org.uk/skills

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