UK : PhD Studentship Title: Innovation in Science – using SMEs

Ref: VAR0908
Teesside University is offering a Research Doctoral Scholarship, funded by One North East in Year 1, and by Teesside University in Year 2 and Year 3. Successful applicants should be in a position to take up the scholarship by not later than December 2009.

Title: Innovation in Science – using SMEs

The project will focus upon science-using SMEs to answer the following sorts of questions:

1. Are they members of any social, economic and technical/scientific networks, and if so, which ones? If not, why not?
2. Why are they members of these networks and what do they get out of them?
3. What forms does innovation take in these companies?
4. What spurs and progresses innovation in these companies, and who (individuals and organizations) is involved in the creation and shaping of innovations?
5. What role does technology per se play in all the above?
6. What forms of internal expertise do they possess?
7. If they recognise that they need external expertise, where do they turn?

The project will research, survey and evaluate current network models/practices and varieties of innovation, particularly in these science-using SME contexts. The Science to Business Hub will be the main source of case material and will also be used to evaluate and test the models arising from the research. Gaps and opportunities will be identified in relation to SMEs, and information and recommendations for addressing them will be fed back to participant organisations and institutions/funding bodies (including the local Regional Development Agency, One North East). The findings will also be disseminated via practitioner and refereed journal/conference papers.

Conditions

This studentship will involve a one to three month placement (in Year 1) with a company in the North East of England. Due to the funding being from different sources, the funding and conditions are different in each year. The Terms and Conditions governing the scholarship will be sent to you in the Application Pack and you should read these very carefully to ensure you can agree to and meet the different conditions before sending in your application.

Research Doctoral Scholarship applicants should have at least an upper second class honours degree, and preferably a first, and ideally a postgraduate qualification. The minimum English language entry level is IELTS 6.5 with no grade below 6.0 or equivalent. Ideally, candidates will have a bachelors degree in the behavioural social sciences and a masters degree in Technology Management or similar.

To apply for a scholarship you must contact the Graduate Research School for an application form:

Teesside University Research Doctoral Scholarships
Graduate Research School
Teesside University
Middlesbrough
Tees Valley
TS1 3BA
UK
E-mail: graduateresearchschool@tees.ac.uk or tel: +44(0)1642 738033

Closing date: 30th October 2009 4:30pm