Engineering Doctorate Industry Sponsorship Scheme for September 2016 start
Call for EngD project proposals from potential industrial sponsors.
For deadline information please email idc-machining-science@sheffield.ac.uk
(Proposal Form is on pages 5 and 6).
The University of Sheffield’s Industrial Doctorate Centre (IDC) in Machining Science www.sheffield.ac.uk/machiningscience-idc is seeking industrial sponsors to collaborate on four year Engineering Doctorate (EngD) research projects
in the area of machining science starting 1st September 16. The projects receive substantial co-funding from the
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and sponsors may also be eligible for R and D tax credits.
Joint industrial sponsorship is welcome where this is relevant.
This is an ideal opportunity to propose and drive a research project tailored to your own company's development
needs, with access to world class research facilities and experts in machining science.
Through the EngD programme the student (or “Research Engineer”) develops essential skills for a career in industry;
whilst the sponsor benefits from effective knowledge transfer. Many Research Engineers go on to join their
sponsors in key technical roles.
What is the IDC in Machining Science?
The IDC in Machining Science is a partnership between the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing
Research Centre (AMRC) www.amrc.co.uk and the Faculty of Engineering. The IDC was originally launched in Autumn
2011 with £1.2M funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The Centre has won
£2.7M in a second round of funding allowing us to extend and increase our capability to take on 10 postgraduate
PhD and EngD researchers each year.
Our aim is to bring together the brightest engineering postgraduate researchers, academic expertise and industrial
partners to develop new technologies and skills to benefit to all partners. The IDC is co-located in the Faculty of
Engineering on the main campus and at AMRC on the Advanced Manufacturing Park. The IDC is supported by global
businesses and leading local manufacturers including Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Sandvik Coromant, Carpenter Technology,
ITP-UK, Hexagon Metrology, TATA steel, Element Six, Bremont Watch Company, and Messier-Bugatti-Dowty.
What is an Engineering Doctorate (EngD)?
The EngD is an established programme in the UK aimed at producing postgraduate engineers - called “Research
Engineers” with skills relevant to the needs of industry. The EngD is a four year programme that combines PhD-level
research projects based on real business problems relevant to the sponsoring organisation, with a programme of
taught courses tailored to the research area. The Research Engineer's time is split between the IDC and the
sponsoring company, with the student typically spending 75% of their time working on behalf of the sponsors.
Research Engineers have a supervisor from the AMRC, an academic supervisor from the relevant subject area, and a
mentor from the sponsoring company.
Why sponsor an Engineering Doctorate?
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A cost effective way for companies to get involved in relevant leading edge research which most companies
would not have the funding, expertise or equipment to undertake alone.
The EngD research project is based on a proposal from the sponsoring company, so the research is of real
technical and commercial significance to the sponsors.
The unique nature of the EngD means that Research Engineers are academically strong and highly committed to
solving real world research problems - a valuable asset to the sponsor. Many EngDs are recruited by their
sponsor after their degree.
Through the EngD your organisation will have access to world-leading expertise in machining science and startof-the-art equipment in the AMRC; your organisation will be part of an extended network of likeminded
organisations.
Current EngD projects in the IDC in Machining Scienc e
The following is a selection of active EngD projects that demonstrates the wide range of themes.
Development of deep hole drilling technology for extreme L/D ratio holes. R&D
into tool tip tracking and steering technology.
Rolls-Royce
Effect of Resin on Tool Wear in CFRP Machining
Sandvik Coromant
Effects of High Velocity Machining of High Strength Titanium Alloy
Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
Thermo-Mechanical Impact of Machining Process on Work Piece Material Micro
Structure
Sandvik Coromant
RR1000 Machining Optimisation
Rolls-Royce
Chatter Reduction with Tuned Mass Holders
Boeing
Correlation between machining monitoring signals, cutting tools wear and
surface integrity on High Strength Titanium Alloys
Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
Advanced Cost Engineering for Application of High Value Manufacturing
Technology
Rolls-Royce
Fundamentals of Advanced Composite Machining
Rolls-Royce
Finish Machining of Novel High Strength Aerospace Materials
Rolls-Royce
Optimisation of Finish Machining of Advanced Aerospace Materials
Rolls-Royce
Machinability method development for new aerospace powder materials
Rolls-Royce and Carpenter
Technology
Measurement Performance of CNC Machine Tools and Robots
Hexagon Metrology
Surface integrity oriented development of machining technologies for Ti 6-4
ITP-UK
High strength Titanium alloys surface integrity after complex machining
operations and post machining special processes
Messier-Bugatti-Dowty
Automated testing of advanced cutting tool materials
Element Six
What will it cost?
The standard industrial sponsor contribution for a 4 year EngD studentship is £68,000 (£17,000 pa) (see below for a
breakdown). Sponsors may also be able to claim R and D tax credits (http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ct/formsrates/claims/randd.htm).
EngD in Machining Science – Standard Sponsorship Package (for Sept 16 start)
Industrial Sponsor Contribution is £68,000* (£17,000 per annum) matched by EPSRC Contribution of
£68,000.
Breakdown...
£10k for project experimental costs*
£10k for expenses relating to the studentship – eg conferences, travel, laptop, safety equipment etc
£88k for student stipend* and academic fees
£26k contribution to group training and activities and administration.
* The standard sponsorship package assumes that project experimental costs will not exceed £10k; if this is
not the case sponsors may need to provide additional funds /resources. Sponsors may also choose to top
up the standard student stipend (£18,000 per annum) to attract the most talented students. For projects
funded through “AMRC Directed Generic Funding” the contribution is £20,000 per annum.
Alternatively, sponsors may fully sponsor the project/studentship, or sponsor a current employee through
the EngD programme. Contact the Centre Manager for advice about these options and the costs involved.
How are projects selected?
Potential sponsors are asked to submit an Outline Proposal Form for review by the IDC Board. The Board evaluates
proposals against the criteria in the table below, selecting approximately five projects each year for EPSRC cofunding.
Key Issues
/ Drivers
Funding
Performance Criteria
0.2
capability fit
percentage industrial funding
number of industrial partners
Knowledge
0.29
Industrial impact
Novelty
Academic strength
Buy in
0.2
1st time sponsor of EngDs
training opportunities for student within the
sponsoring organisation
scoring (score out of 10)
No capability (automatic rejection)
Limited research applicability or core UoS
competence - score 5
Good fit for both research content and UoS
capability - score 10
ESPRC/ industrial - score 0
fully industry sponsored - score 10
1 industrial sponsor - score 0
2 sponsors - score 5
3+ sponsors - score 10
Sliding scale 1-10 High - Impact for funding
company and wider industry
Sliding scale 1-10
Sliding scale 1-10
Yes - score 10
Previous sponsor of EngD – score 0
Sliding scale 1-10 High for well specified support
Weighting
0.30
0.15
0.10
0.05
0.50
0.15
0.15
0.20
0.20
0.05
0.05
level of supervisory support for student from
sponsor
Sliding scale 1-10 High for well specified support
0.05
letter of support from sponsors senior
management
No letter score 0; Letter score 10
0.05
What about IPR?
The EngD project is a close partnership between the sponsor and the University, and there will be some joint outputs
and publications. We can negotiate IP arrangements, and will follow a reasonable approach to publication (i.e.
sponsor prior approval, removal of sensitive information, timing of publications etc).
How are students recruited?
The IDC advertises all EngD projects widely through the relevant channels, and sponsors are also encouraged to
advertise the studentships. Candidates must have or expect to obtain a first or good 2:1 degree or strong Masters in
a relevant subject. IDC manages the overall recruitment process, but sponsors are encouraged to participate at all
stages and especially at the interview stage.
Recruitment cycle and EngD Project start dates
EngD projects attract interest from final year students, recent graduates and those already in employment. To
maximise the number of strong applications, EngD project advertisements should fit in with the job searching cycle
for final year students. Most final year students start looking for research study / employment in the Autumn to
Spring in their final year, with a view to commencing employment / research after graduating in Summer.
All our EngDs and PhDs join as a single cohort and attend our month long induction programme starting 1st
September. This gives the EngD Research Engineers a chance to visit the sponsors and to bed into the project and
AMRC, before the Autumn semester commences at the end of September.
Indicative deadlines
The IDC Board reviews EngD project proposals at regular intervals throughout the year, until the EPSRC co-funding is
exhausted. We recommend that you contact the Centre Manager (idc-machining-science@sheffield.ac.uk) as soon as
possible if you are considering submitting a project proposal.
Next steps
If you have a firm idea for an EngD project, please complete the form below and submit it to the IDC Centre
Manager. If you prefer to discuss potential project themes in more detail before submitting a proposal, please
contact the Centre Manager in the first instance.
Join the IDC in Machining Science mailing list
To receive updates on the work of the IDC in Machining Science please send your contact details including email
address to the Centre Manager; or follow us on Twitter twitter.com/@IDCMachSci
Contact Details
Industrial Doctorate Centre in Machining Science
AMRC and Faculty of Engineering, University of Sheffield
T:
+44(0)114 222 9949 / 7865
W: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/machining-science-idc
E:
idc-machining-science@sheffield.ac.uk Twitter: https://twitter.com/idcmachsci
Industrial Doctorate Centre in Machining Science
EngD Project Outline Proposal by Sponsor
Completed forms should be returned by email to the Centre Team at idc-machining-science@sheffield.ac.uk. The
IDC may contact you for further discussions to help refine the proposal before submission to the Board.
Title of Proposed Project
or Project Theme
Start date
Industrial project
sponsor
1st September 2016
Organisation
Contact Name
Role
Email
Tel
If more than one
sponsoring company,
please give details here.
Academic and AMRC
supervisors (if known)
Project Details (to be completed by industry sponsor with guidance from AMRC if required)
Briefly describe the work to be carried out in the proposed EngD studentship project (maximum 800 words).
Describe the specific scientific and/or technological challenges to be addressed (maximum 800 words)
What are the potential benefits of the collaboration for the company and for the academic partners? Are
there wider benefits that may result (maximum 800 words)?
Do the project experimentation costs lie within the total £10k for the standard sponsorship package? If not
please indicate how additional financial or other resource requirements will be met.
Do the sponsors wish to top up the student stipend beyond £18,000pa?
03/11/15