Research Sponsorships

Background

The individual research groups within C A R I S M A have developed considerable expertise in the application of optimisation and risk modelling in diverse fields . We have an established record of independent research and contract research work with many industrial and commercial sponsors. The Sponsored Postgraduate Research Programme is designed to build upon the groups' mutually beneficial partnerships with industry and commerce.

Scope

Each industrial or commercial problem is unique and so the focus is on:

  • The full analysis of the particular decision problem(s).
  • The development of data models and/or optimisation models from the analysis.
  • Finding solutions of these models by applying known techniques or by developing new tools.
  • Implementing and testing the solutions against the original problem.

Methods of Operation

Research Students (PhD)

  • Research students are jointly interviewed and chosen for the project.
  • They spend between 50 to 75 percent of their time in industry and the rest here at Brunel University.
  • Contracts are renewed annually subject to satisfactory progress of the project.
  • Research students prepare industrial reports as requested by the Sponsor.

They also write research reports for C A R I S M A and prepare their thesis.
A limited number of MSc students are also available to work on projects each year. This will normally be between June and September.

Benefits

Benefits to the Sponsor

A dedicated researcher working on one or more of their problems, who can call on:

  • Experience and expertise of research groups within C A R I S M A
  • Technical input from the research groups within C A R I S M A
  • Unique and powerful software tools leading to a cost-effective method of introducing powerful, validated and efficient methodologies, techniques and "solutions" into the Sponsor's organisation.

Confidentiality & IPR

Issues such as confidentiality, non-disclosure agreements and intellectual property rights resulting from the research will be agreed to the satisfaction of both parties prior to the start of the project.

Financial Commitment

The sponsoring partner normally pays £25,000 annually. The minimum commitment is for one year and the sponsorship is reviewed annually. Subject to satisfactory progress the sponsorship is reviewed twice leading to the completion of the student's PhD within a three year period. Depending on the nature of the project there could be an annual software license cost of £5000 (maximum) to cover the period of research .

Industrial Partners


DERA
US Army's European Office
US Coast Guard R & D Center (USA)
British Gas Research
Southern Electric
IBERINCO (Spain)
National Grid



NumericalAlgorithmsGroup(NAG)
TransTech Parallel Systems
Silsoe Research Institue
DHL
FORD (Spain)
DAIMLER CHRYSLER (Germany)
UNILEVER Research
Logistics Consulting Partners
ETRA (Spain)






Advanced Portfolio Technology (USA)
Fidelity Investment Services (Global)
HBOS Plc(Insight Investment)
UBS Investment
INQUIRE
MB Risk Management
ISI MARS Group
IMAJ Consulting
Kidde Plc
Pillsbury