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Host a PhD student with expert research skills

ECCI is on the hunt for organisations that could benefit from the top class research and consultancy skills of a Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) PhD student.

Joint delivered by ECCI and NERC, the ECCI Innovation Programme matches students with a wide range of organisations to provide meaningful research work opportunities for the students, and top class research and consultancy resources for the businesses.

In 2018/19 five successful student placements of 3-6 months were undertaken with organisations ranging from social enterprise start-up One Cherry to ClimateXChange (Scotland's centre for expertise on climate change) and fast-growing Fintech innovators Trade in Space.

Trade in Space founder Robin Sampson said: “We found our placement student to be extremely capable and able to work towards solving a real, and high pressure business problem from day one.

It wouldn't have been possible for us to complete this work in a timescale that would have satisfied our customer without Charlotte's expert input, and therefore we would have lost an extremely valuable commercial opportunity.

We are extremely grateful to Charlie, NERC & SAGES and University of Edinburgh for supporting this project.”

PhD student Charlie Bunce said: "The placement enabled me to improve my coding ability, my knowledge of satellite applications and data and report writing.

Working with Trade In Space also provided me with great connections and skills and exposure to industry partners."

Dr Richard Essery, Reader in High Resolution Atmospheric Modelling and Deputy Director (Training), E3 DTP, University of Edinburgh, said: "ECCI has the links with private, third and public sector organisations that allow our students to identify and take advantage of placement opportunities.

"We know from the feedback that we receive that these opportunities are highly valued by both students and host organisations."

Could you benefit from the ECCI Innovation programme?

Are you a start-up, SME or third sector organisation? Looking for some PhD student support at no cost?

Complete the simple online application by Sunday 27 October.