I work for a non-academic organisation which is not currently a partner for Distributed Algorithms. Can I engage?
Yes. The focus of the CDT is on two application domains where Distributed Algorithms appears to resonate most: defence and security and manufacturing. If you are working in one of these two domains, it will be straightforward to work towards co-creating and co-supervising a studentship. If you work in other domains, we’re still keen to engage, particularly if you think Distributed Algorithms could make a difference to you.
What are the key benefits of supporting studentships?
The primary purpose of the CDT is to train a new generation of people who are adept at Distributed Algorithms, i.e., who can work effectively at the interface between “Next-generation Data Science” and “Future Computing Systems”. The key benefit of being involved is to have access to a stream of potential recruits with skills and experience that align with your organisation’s needs for Distributed Algorithms.
The research comprising the PhD project may also be of direct relevance to your organisation, but it’s really the trained person that is the primary benefit. Additionally, we will provide an environment that enables you to engage with the broader cohort of students (aka potential recruits) and provide access to the training material that will be used to train the students and which may also be of use to support CPD for your existing staff.
How do we go about co-creating a studentship?
There are a number of mechanisms that all stem from an initial email or discussion. Options include being involved in workshops we will run to collaboratively explore the utility of Distributed Algorithms in the context of your organisation. If it appears that a studentship is the right option for you (which is likely to be the case if your primary aim is to recruit excellent staff who have been well trained in Distributed Algorithms), we can find supervisors who can help develop a studentship. There are also other ways to engage and we can, for example, undertake low-level consultancy or longer-term research projects.
What’s the financial commitment for a new partner?
Each studentship is associated with £30,000 cash (not in-kind) from the partner. This is spread over the four years of the PhD so is £7,500 per year. The intent is that this is very similar to the commitment associated with an EPSRC ICASE award.
How does the CDT manage IP?
The intellectual property (IP) is managed by a studentship agreement executed between the University and partner once a suitable student is appointed to the CDT and before the studentship starts. The IP terms are governed by EPSRC, the primary funder of the CDT and the studentships. The mixed funding model enables collaborative IP terms - the organisation that creates the IP, owns the IP and the other party is offered an option to licence the IP on fair and reasonable terms. Background IP remains protected and licences are also available where the party is free and able to do so. The CDT does have partners that prefer to maintian full control of any arising IP and those partners fully fund the studentships. Regardless of funding, the CDT and University aims for all of its research to be useful and used and any commercial negotiations are to enable our partners to take our innovaitons to market and commercially exploit our efforts for the benefit of the UK economy and society.
What non-financial commitments are involved in supporting a studentship?
Before each studentship starts, the expectation is that partner organisations will be involved in co-creating the studentship’s scope (as defined in an advert), shortlisting candidates and interviewing them.
After the student has started, the partner organisation will be involved in co-supervising the student. There is also an expectation that each student will spend approximately 3-6 months working at the partner organisation’s premises. Again, this is very similar to the activity associated with an EPSRC ICASE award.
Does the organisation have to be based in the UK?
No. We would welcome interaction with global organisations. There may be implications in terms of the practicalities of supervision due to time-zone differences and/or affordability of the placements due to the costs of international flights, but those are issues that we can work to resolve.
When will the students be graduates we can employ?
The students will start their PhDs on day one. There is no separate year for an MSc or MRes. The students will need to submit their thesis before the end of their fourth year. They will, at that point, be marketable graduates who you could seek to recruit at that time.
Back to: Centre for Doctoral Training in Distributed Algorithms