Metamaterials Summer Studentships 2026
Contact details: info@metamaterials.network
Industry Sponsored Projects
Industry Expressions of Interest Link
A project designed by an early career researcher academic, matched to a brief designed by a sponsor.
The UK Metamaterials Network (UKMMN) invites expressions of interest from industry partners to engage with the Metamaterials Summer Studentships Program. This initiative aims to foster collaboration between industry and academics. The projects are expected to be 6-8 weeks long. The undergraduate will be paid the local rate (relevant to the University of Exeter) based on the Living Wage Foundation Living Wage for up to 36.5 hours per week.
Once industry sponsors have specified topic areas ECRs and PhD students will be invited to put forward project ideas in the nominated categories these projects will be proposed through 500 word long project proposals.
Each project will conclude with a 1 page report written by the undergraduate student (with support from the ECR/PhD student if required and signed off by the academic lead). The lead academic will be asked to summarise the key project information, data and findings in a short power point presentation to the industry sponsor.
This program offers a unique opportunity for sponsors to engage with talented students and academics with expertise in metamaterials.
Benefits to the Sponsor
- Collaboration with academics and universities
- Training future talent in the field with links to industry
UKMMN Sponsored Projects (Form Opening Shortly)
- The UKMMN will also sponsor a limited number of summer studentships. ECRs (including PhD researchers with permission of their supervisor) are invited to propose projects on discovery experimental science for review by the UKMMN’s Executive Board.
- The projects are expected to be 6-8 weeks long. The undergraduate will be paid the local rate (relevant to the University of Exeter) based on the Living Wage Foundation Living Wage for up to 36.5 hours per week.
- Each project will conclude with a 1 page report written by the undergraduate student (with support from the ECR/PhD student if required and signed off by the academic lead). The lead academic will be asked to summarise the key project information, data and findings in a short article (which may include a short powerpoint presentation) which will then be uploaded to the UKMMN’s website.
Indicative Timeline
All timescales are subject to successful contracting between the University of Exeter and prospective industry sponsors.
Autumn/Winter 2025/26: Sponsors set topics, e.g. ‘Time Varying Metamaterials’. Academic leads submit 500 word proposals. The University of Exeter and industry sponsors agree the terms of the studentship.
Spring 2026: Sponsors review proposals, selecting which ones to fund. Academic Leads advertise through the Network. Academic leads and sponsors interview undergraduate applicants.
Summer 2026: Students undertake the project
Autumn 2026: Student & academic lead provide the final report to the sponsor and report summary to the UKMMN.
Commitments
- Time commitment for supervision by sponsor (approximately 1 hour every week, up to 8 hours over the life of the project), and the assessment of project ideas.
- Costs: approximately £6000 per student (or co-funded at 50% with the UKMMN for projects with open access results). This covers the student’s wages, a consumables budget of £500 per student, and networking events.
The UKMMN acts as an intermediary between the sponsor and academics. The UKMMN will manage the payment of students, using funds provided by the sponsor. All Network-funded projects must be open access, while solely sponsor-funded projects require a short public-facing report for publication on the Network’s website.
The UKMMN hopes to collaborate with you on this exciting initiative, if you are an industry partner of the Network and interested in funding summer studentship opportunities, please contact info@metamaterials.network for further information.
