Overview
The CDT-AQT prioritises the consistent engagement of industry in the co- creation, co-supervision and training to ensure that our students gain the skills to translate fundamental quantum physics into practical quantum technologies for industry, research and society.
The CDT is currently supported by more than 30 industry partners, covering the quantum technology supply chain, industrial research, systems engineering, manufacturers and service providers, quantum technology start-ups, the space sector and government labs. Our industry partners are integral to the CDT’s collaborative framework, and they will guide the training program by shaping co-funded projects, facilitating student placements, and participating in the Industry Forum – a platform fostering engagement and information exchange with the CDT. Furthermore, industry partners contribute to the taught syllabus by delivering lectures and providing insights into specific technologies and market sectors. They also offer co-supervision, skills training, career advice, and input into the programme during cohort events and open panel discussions. Regular interactions are facilitated through events such as the annual CDT Showcase and QT Industry Day.
Engagement
Industrial Partners can engage in the following ways:
Studentships
For those that wish to sponsor studentships, they will have opportunities to contribute to the choice of topics and methods of the research projects, collaborate, and jointly fund studentships with other industry partners where obvious synergies exist. Industry partners will also be involved in the selection of the student and the first and second academic supervisors and will be able to take on a formal role as an additional “company supervisor”. Industry partners will make regular visits to the Universities, depending on the needs of the projects.
Industry Forum
All industry partners are invited to join the Industry Forum which ensures engagement and information flow between the CDT and all our industrial partners.
The Industry Forum consists of:
- Bi-annual meetings, coinciding with cohort events,
- Engagement between our industrial partners and the entire student cohort at the CDT Training School and CDT Showcase.
- Company representatives are invited to contribute to skills training and career advice to the cohort as well as to individual students.
- Meetings bridging the Industry Forum and the Management Team to plan future PhD projects and student placements as well as define emerging training needs for QT graduates.
- Opportunities to shape and evaluate the CDT via feedback to the Management Team and the Advisory Board.
Internships, Secondments & Training
An essential aspect of our training programme is providing students with opportunities to interact with industrial partners and exposure to careers beyond academia. Specific training activities provided by our industrial partners as part of the cohort training events a selection of user-inspired research problems will be provided by our industrial partners with options for industry experts to mentor student groups.
Internships provide our students with first-hand experience of being embedded within an industrial environment, and several of our partners will offer internships of up to 12 weeks. Students who do not pursue an internship will have the chance to visit partner sites to advance their projects using capabilities unavailable in academic environments.
For information, queries or to find out how to propose a co-funded project, please get in touch via: partners@aqt.ac.uk