Working with us
There are a number of ways in which you can work with us.
The primary mode of collaboration is through the sponsorship and co-supervision of a PhD student within the CDT. Secondary modes of support include complimentary or discounted training for our students, hosting of visits, guest lectures, and mentoring.
Project sponsorship
As a potential sponsor, you can work with us to identify medium term research projects that will benefit your organisation’s activities, but which also have academic depth suitable for doctorate study.
You will help define the project, provide experimental data and / or access to facilities, be involved in the student’s supervision via periodic progress meetings, and have the opportunity for the student to undertake an internship.
Sponsoring a PhD candidate is an ideal opportunity to propose and drive a research project tailored to your own company’s technical and commercial development needs, with access to world class research facilities and experts in AI and SLT.
The PhD is a highly cost-effective way to drive relevant leading-edge research which you may not have the funding, expertise or equipment to undertake in-house.
Through the CDT, you will have access to world-leading expertise in AI and SLT and your organisation will be part of an extended network of like-minded organisations.
To find out more, view our sponsor brochure.
Intellectual Property (IP)
The PhD project is a close partnership between the sponsor and the University. There will be some joint outputs and publications.
We are happy to negotiate IP arrangements, and will follow a reasonable approach to publication (such as sponsor prior approval and removal of sensitive information). You can review our standard agreement templates at any time.
Project sponsorship: costs and process
When you sponsor a student and their project, you will pay less than half of the normal cost of the four-year PhD studentship, with the remainder being provided by UKRI and the University of Sheffield.
We operate a two tier sponsorship approach:
Tier one sponsors propose specific PhD projects, have significant input into their design, make their application the focus of the research, have the opportunity to host internships for the student, and have bespoke agreements for IPR. Total cost is £46,000 for the entire four-year studentship (just £11,500 per year).
Tier two support is associated with projects with a low level of input and less claim on the student’s time. The total cost is £23,000 for the entire four-year studentship (just £5,750 per year).
To promote cohort cohesion we apply a uniform funding model for all students (same stipend, same training budget) regardless of the sponsorship approach adopted by the industrial partner with whom they work.
If you are a UK taxpayer, you may also be able to claim Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credits.
To find out more about proposing a PhD project and sponsoring a student, please contact Dr Stuart Wrigley (CDT Operations and Business Development Manager) by emailing s.wrigley@sheffield.ac.uk or calling +44 114 222 1880.
Other ways to engage
As an alternative to sponsoring a student (or as well as), there are additional ways in which you can get involved with the CDT.
You can engage with the CDT through conferences and seminars, by making data available for research, and participating in the Industrial Sponsors’ Forum.
Support in the form of guest lectures, hosting of visits, teaching, technical training, bespoke hardware, software or data, mentoring, supervision would also be beneficial – please get in touch.
Non-student related financial contributions such as provision of travel awards, or supporting annual workshops are also very welcome.
Becoming a member of the Centre will open up a wide range of other engagement opportunities with our students, researchers, academics, and the wider group of sponsoring companies.
To find out more, please contact Dr Stuart Wrigley (CDT Operations and Business Development Manager) by emailing s.wrigley@sheffield.ac.uk or calling +44 114 222 1880.
Industrial partners
Apple
Amazon Research
ZOO Digital
Huawei
VoiceBase
Microsoft Research
Nuance
MapR
3M
TribePad
Scribetech
Toshiba
Factmata
Ieso Digital Health
ITSLanguage
Ontotext
Recordsure
Tech Nation
Therapy Box
Gweek
Signal A.I.
Textio
NHS Digital
OCLC
Emotech
SoapBox Labs
Jam Creative Studios
Netcall
Sheffield Digital
King’s College London
BTS
Kollïder
Solvay