Free research for mini projects

The centre will cover staff and student costs but expects companies to cover any travel or consumables costs. The projects are designed to allow students from different academic backgrounds to experience a range of research methods and techniques, with the aim of giving them a broad overview of energy related research subjects and methodologies. They are to be carried out during the period of December to August prior to students commencing their main PhD project. Duration is two or four months in duration. If for four months, the project should be in two parts to allow an assessment exercise after two months. Projects can be laboratory-based, field-based, or desk-based. Experience show that students prefer projects which are more hands on, i.e., with an opportunity to carry out some experimental or engineering work or computer modelling. Each project must have an academic supervisor, and there is a need to complete a form to help allocate a suitable supervisor to each project, as well as to sell the proposed idea to the students. Students will have their work assessed by writing a three to five page report in the form of a journal letter and giving a presentation. A more detailed report for the industrial sponsor can also be provided. Projects can be group projects and could also be a precursor to the main three year project. If IP is of concern the Centre says it is happy to sign non-disclosure agreements. For further information, please contact Dr. Neil Lowrie, 0114 222 5506, neil.lowrie@sheffield.ac.uk Deadline for submission is 15th November 2010