The Leading Engine for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Energy KIC InnoEnergy PhD School Handbook

Transcription

1 The Leading Engine for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Sustainable Energy KIC InnoEnergy PhD School Handbook

2 The PhD School The mission of KIC InnoEnergy PhD School is to foster an innovative and entrepreneurial culture in its graduates that enhances their market value when they become employed. The programme is designed for doctoral candidates who have and seek technical excellence, nurturing their drive for innovation, business creation and entrepreneurship (I&BE). Its principle goals are to encourage a mind set for innovation and entrepreneurship in a European academic environment, and to build a European network that links research and education in sustainable energy with both the technical needs of the industry and with society at large. KIC InnoEnergy PhD School focuses on three transitions within the energy sector: i) from the idea to the product, ii) from the lab to the market and iii) from the doctoral candidate to the entrepreneur. Those acting within the School s EIT educational programme are doctoral candidates who are in the process of studying, the university that supports their studies, teachers working within the programme and future employers of graduates (KIC InnoEnergy s industrial partners). 2 3

3 Technical excellence in sustainable energy A first objective of KIC InnoEnergy PhD School is to provide solid and comprehensive I&BE training without compromising the quality of technical training and research of a candidate s PhD studies. A second objective is to visibly contribute to thematic areas of KIC InnoEnergy, providing graduates with the knowledge and skills to enhance field-specific innovation, research and development. This is, among other ways, reflected in the strong emphasis placed on linking the doctoral candidate s research with its active potential within the energy industry. A third objective is to set graduates up with a European network of students, professors and industry representatives that will give them a head start when they are employed in an international market. KIC InnoEnergy PhD School Objectives represented in six modules I&BE Module I Introductory level courses & increased awareness LMs and seminars I&BE Module II Advanced level courses & practices & I&BE thesis To this end, KIC InnoEnergy PhD School offers modular and structured training in addition to the regular doctoral training that each candidate receives at their home university. Training focuses on candidate competence and targets group-oriented qualifications, mainly in the area of I&BE. Tailored to the needs of the energy sector, this training is offered by the best-qualified institutions in Europe. The courses and requirements of the programme can be grouped into six different modules, each directed towards fulfilling the objectives of a specific qualification offered by the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School programme. Technology Module Energy technology training in a thematic area the same as or different to your own International Mobility 6-month stay at another CC, supporting your thesis work or business entry Economics Module Introductory & advanced level courses, LMs & webinars Qualifying Module Training of leadership skills & KIC InnoEnergy Scientist Conference Programme Design Location and Partners The PhD School forms an intrinsic part of KIC InnoEnergy s Europe-wide network of leading industries, universities, research centres and business schools, located in eight different countries. They are organised into six Co-location Centres (CCs), each of which represents an organisational unit that is responsible for the local implementation of three main activity lines: innovation, research and education. Key players and European distribution CC Benelux Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek / Flemish Institute for Technological Research Eandis C.V.B.A. Technische Universiteit Eindhoven CC France Institut Politechnique de Grenoble Grenoble Ecole de Management Commissariat a l Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives Areva CC Germany EnBW Energie Baden- Wurttemberg AG Karlsruher Institut für Technologie Universität Stuttgart To take part in a KIC InnoEnergy PhD School programme, doctoral candidates need to be enrolled at one of our partner universities, or be employed by one of our research institutes or by one of our industry partners. Partner universities and research institutes KTH, Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden UU, Uppsala University, Sweden AGH, University of Science and Technology, Poland KIT, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany IST, Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal US, University Stuttgart, Germany TU/E, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands UPC, Technical University of Catalonia, Spain Europe Electricite de France Total CC Iberia Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya Fundacio ESADE Instituto Superior Tecnico Fundacio Institut de Recerca de l Energia de Catalunya Gas Natural Fenosa CC Poland Plus Akademia Górniczo - Hutnicza im. Stanislawa Staszica Politechnika Śląska / Silesian University of Technology Instytut Chemicznej Przeróbki Węgla / Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal - ICHPW Główny Instytut Górnictwa CC Sweden Uppsala University ABB AB/Corporate Research Vattenfall AB KTH Royal Institute of Technology INPG, Grenoble Institute of Technology, France INSA, INSA de Lyon, France KUL, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium SUT, Silesian University of Technology, Poland IREC, Catalonia Institute for Energy Research, Spain FISI, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research, Germany ESADE, ESADE Business School, Spain GEM, Grenoble Ecole de Management, France 4 5

4 Thematic Orientation Each KIC InnoEnergy PhD School programme is orientated thematically around the key principles of KIC InnoEnergy, while also placing emphasis on fostering the talents of ambitious individuals - those future game changers in their selected areas of the energy sector. To fulfil both these objectives, KIC InnoEnergy PhD School is organised into six thematic tracks, each directed by one of KIC InnoEnergy s six CCs. CC Benelux Smart Cities and Efficient Buildings CC Iberia Renewables CC France Convergence Nuclear- Renewables CC Poland Plus Clean Coal Technologies CC Germany Energy from Chemical Fuels CC Sweden Smart Grids & Storage Each thematic track has a track director who is responsible for managing PhD School activities in the track s thematic area, and who contributes to the central PhD School activities. The track director serves as an interface between universities, or between doctoral candidates and KIC InnoEnergy. These track directors, along with the PhD School coordinator, form part of the PhD School board (PSB): the programme coordination committee, whose role is to consider new doctoral candidates, evaluate and assess the progress of accepted candidates, develop local and central KIC-added education and activities, and to oversee funding. Because of the thematic organisation of the tracks, the track director and the doctoral candidate could be located at different CCs. For example, a doctoral candidate could be enrolled at the Swedish partner university KTH while his thesis forms part of a Renewables InnoEnergy Project; in this case, the track director responsible for the candidate would be located at CC Iberia, the centre for the Renewables track. Nevertheless, a track director will always address a candidate s needs, and can, additionally, be very helpful when it comes to local administrative matters. PhD Education at the Home University KIC InnoEnergy PhD School offers modular and structured training in addition to the regular doctoral training that each candidate receives at their home university (that is, the higher educational institute that has the right to award doctoral degrees and at which the candidate studies). Candidates must fulfil the doctoral education and local training requirements of their home university if they wish to continue studying with the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School; successful graduation at the home university is a first requirement for successfully completing any KIC InnoEnergy PhD programme. Besides compliance with the home university requirements, KIC InnoEnergy has additional criteria with which a candidate s PhD thesis project need comply. Outreach A fairly flexible requirement that encourages doctoral candidates to take their research and business ideas to the world beyond that of KIC InnoEnergy. The doctoral candidate can choose to communicate his/her science to the lay public, e.g. at an open house event, by visiting a state school, or by presenting their work at a science slam competition. (Needless to say, intellectual property rights and the value of personal results - important when it comes to applying for a patent or submitting a publication - should always be considered in such presentations, and the communication of a candidates work may not, therefore, necessarily contain personal results.). Taking a business idea to an innovation competition, or an active knowledge exchange with, for example, another European initiative or with one of the other KICs are other possible outreach activities that are open to candidates. Industry involvement It is mandatory that an industry or a non-university institution, an agency or a government institution, for example, be involved in a candidate s PhD thesis project in at least one of the following ways: co-supervision, internship, project definition, or financing. A KIC InnoEnergy doctoral candidate s PhD thesis is expected to have a clear and tight link with industry and their research actively connected to the technical needs of society; the involvement of another non-university institution, such as agencies or government bodies, is therefore acceptable. 6 7

5 The PhD School Modules Six different modules have been defined in accordance with the content and objectives of the different courses, as well as to fulfil the rigorous requirements of the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School training programme. A minimum of ECTS and months per module need to be completed in order to ensure that each individual KIC InnoEnergy doctoral candidate receives a quality of training that tests the scope of his/her personal abilities. Only then will the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School Certificate on Energy Innovation be awarded. MODULE MINIMUM RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM I&BE I 3 ECTS 6 ECTS 8 ECTS I&BE II 5 ECTS 9 ECTS 12 ECTS Economics 3 ECTS 6 ECTS 6 ECTS Technology 3 ECTS 6 ECTS 9 ECTS Qualifying 3 ECTS 6 ECTS 9 ECTS Mobility 4 month 6 month 12 month The I&BE Modules An essential part of the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School programme is that of making a continual connection between the scientific/technical aspects of research and the development of skills directed at innovation, business creation and entrepreneurship (I&BE). The I&BE components ensure that each doctoral candidate receives grounding in underlying principles of business and entrepreneurship, encouraging each doctoral candidate to view his/her own research in a business-oriented light, and providing contact with potential business advisors, sponsors and incubator networks that could help commercialise their research during study or after their PhD is completed. I&BE Module I. This introductory module will provide theoretical and methodological fundamentals in the field of I&BE with first hands-on experiences with given case studies. There is a mandatory participation in at least one course of 3 ECTS, with another course of 3 ECTS strongly recommended. This module is scheduled to begin in the first year and end in the second year of a candidate s PhD studies. I&BE Module II. The advanced module provides in-depth knowledge and awareness in all relevant areas of I&BE. It includes extensive exercises usually concentrating on a candidate s research, or on that of other candidates. Participation in at least 5 ECTS are obligatory with further courses, of 9 ECTS in total, recommended. This module is scheduled for the second and third year of the candidate s PhD studies. There are about six different courses on offer but not all are offered on a yearly basis and some require particular qualifications. To complete this module, a 5-page I&BE thesis is compulsory and accounts for 3 ECTS. Doctoral candidates are expected to apply knowledge acquired during I&BE training to their own technical research. Ideally, this results in a business plan set out at the end of their PhD thesis, although a doctoral candidate s research may not always be suitable for business creation. Patent applications and other entrepreneurial activities, e.g. market research, can also be summarised in a candidate s I&BE thesis. Economics Module An understanding of the energy market s basic structure and special requirements is key to the success of a business working in the sector. At present, energy economics training is available in the form of an introductory and an advanced-level course. In the future, this offer may be extended and/or merged into learning modules (LMs, online training) or other options may be made available. Participation in at least one course of 3 ECTS is compulsory, with another course of 3 ECTS strongly recommended. Technology Module KIC InnoEnergy s technical training for excellence is designed to cover international trends and important innovative findings in the energy technologies sector, and is staffed by internationally-renowned scientists and lecturers as well as top-ranked industries. Only unique courses chosen from all six of our thematic areas form part of this module. Two to three different energy technology training courses are offered each year. Completion of 3 ECTS is mandatory, 6 ECTS is recommended, with participation in courses of up to 9 ECTS available. 8 9

6 Qualifying Module Training for key competence skills is offered in selective courses and e-learning modules (LMs). Alternatively, it can be substituted by local offers, from a candidate s home university, for example. 3 ECTS are compulsory. This module includes participation in the KIC InnoEnergy Scientist Conference, with two participations required, each worth 1,5 ECTS. The KIC InnoEnergy Scientist Conference is an annual event that takes place in a different CC each year. Candidates are advised to participate once at the beginning and once at the end of their PhD thesis. This single event provides many opportunities for participants, including the ability to: 1. gain technical background knowledge in the energy area from the presentations of fellow candidates, 2. discuss one s own work and that of others, 3. discover possible collaborations, 4. interact socially with candidates and staff from other CCs, and share themes. This experience is boosted by the presence of business specialists: venture capitalists, industrial R&D leaders and teachers of partner business schools, for example, who attend the Conference to study and discuss the potential of the work presented, as well as to give lectures. PHASES Applied Innovation Advanced Training KIC IE Certificate I&BE Thesis International Mobility Energy Economics Advanced Level I&BE Coaching 2nd Scientist Conference I&BE Module II Courses DOCTORAL TRAINING PhD Thesis defense & Graduation Regular Doctoral training International Mobility International mobility is compulsory and should comprise of at least 4 months stay in another co-location centre in a different country than that of a candidate s home university. Mobility can occur at a partner university, a partner research institute or in a partner company (host institute). Only this period of prolonged research residency at an institution in another CC is considered international mobility. Mobility needs to be well organised early on so that a suitable host institution can be found and discussion of the research and content (including possible co-supervision) can take place. Therefore, all doctoral candidates should begin to plan their mobility as soon as they begin their PhD project, even if they plan their international mobility to take place in their third or fourth year. There are some specific exceptions: 1. If international mobility lasts longer than the recommended 6 months with a maximum of one year s stay, 2. If mobility takes place with more than one partner institution (with a maximum of two), 3. If mobility is split into shorter periods which still add up to the recommended 6 months, 4. If mobility takes place outside the KIC InnoEnergy consortium, and 5. If mobility occurs after graduation at a company that cannot be a candidate s first employer. All exceptions are subject to approval by the track director. 6. While aiming for excellence, it is understood that all doctoral candidates may not be able to find a profitable mobility placement with an InnoEnergy partner in another CC. The fact that some themes include quite specialised subjects that are focused on a particular CC, increases this risk. In cases where it is clear that a non-innoenergy university can provide more useful residence for a candidate than any InnoEnergy partner in another CC, mobility to a non-innoenergy university can be considered. While it is preferable that the other university be in Europe, this too can be overridden if an external university can provide a 7. Considerably more suitable mobility option for a candidate. In this case, however, mobility funding may not cover as much of a candidate s costs For up-to-date offers within different modules please see the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School Course book, as well as recent course flyers and the PhD School news published on our website ( Increased Awarenes I&BE Module I/II Courses Qualifying Courses Technical Training Introductory Training I&BE Module I Courses Energy Economics Introductory Level 1st Scientist Conference PhD Thesis start 10 11

7 Specific Regulations Acceptance After a doctoral candidate has applied to KIC InnoEnergy PhD School, his/her application will be ranked and a final selection takes place that is based on the selection criteria (page 14). After that, those successful candidates selected for the School will receive an confirming their provisional acceptance. Final acceptance cannot be confirmed until the Individual KAVA Plan is completed and signed, with the original signature of the doctoral candidate, the supervisor of the candidate and the track director of the track on which the candidate has been accepted. The Individual KAVA Plan is a form that the candidate is required to complete. It asks for some personal and educational information and details on a candidate s thesis project. Most importantly, the Individual KAVA Plan requires a candidate to supply details on his/her proposed international mobility and, in conjunction with information supplied by his/her supervisor, information regarding activities planned within each of his/her modules for the coming years. The latest version of the Individual Kava Plan can be requested from the track director or PhD School coordinator. Duration of the PhD School Participation Once a doctoral candidate is accepted to the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School, he/she is expected to participate in the programme until the end of his/her PhD thesis. A doctoral candidate is estimated to take three to four years to complete his/her thesis, from start to finish, unless a better indication arises for a particular case. In some circumstances the actual period from start to finish may be five years, such as when a doctoral candidate s contract takes account of additional time required for teaching duties or other factors, such as parental leave. In some circumstances completion of a thesis may take longer than a candidate s work within an InnoEnergy project, and so, a candidate s participation in the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School lasts longer, too, than his/her participation in a KIC InnoEnergy Innovation Project. In this case, support will continue until the minimum requirements are fulfilled and the candidate has been awarded his/her doctorate by his/her home university. Reporting English is the operational language of KIC InnoEnergy and needs to be used during reporting. Reporting will happen once a year, on the basis of the Individual KAVA Plan. An updated Individual KAVA Plan must be presented to the supervisor and track director. Based on the information it contains, the track director evaluates the annual performance of each candidate, which will then be discussed with him/her. Financing and approval of activities All expenses that arise during an activity, e.g. course, mobility or conference participation, will be paid by KIC InnoEnergy PhD School. Costs may include travel, accommodation, and board and tuition fees (organisational costs). This payment will be made through the KIC InnoEnergy partner with which the doctoral candidate is associated. A candidate s budget is assigned relative to his/ her Individual KAVA Plan. An accurate and continually updated Individual KAVA Plan will ensure that the candidate can perform his/her desired activity with KIC InnoEnergy financing, and the in-time arrangements for travel and mobility with the candidate s home partner, (most likely his/her home university), will ensure that costs be reimbursed in due time. Currently, the following budget allocations are assumed, subject to adjustment in accordance with last year s experience: Module training a. One-week activity Budget assumptions (total 2100 /doctoral candidate): Tuition fee (organizational costs): 1200 Travel fee: 500 Accommodation: 280 Allowance: 20 per day -> 120 for one week b. Four-week activity Budget assumptions (total 5000 / doctoral candidate): Tuition fee (organizational costs): 2900 Travel fee: 500 Accommodation: 1000 Allowance: 20 per day => 600 per month Activities of a different length will be calculated relative to the given examples. International Mobility Budget assumptions (total / doctoral candidate): Max. allowance to the host institute: 1000 per month Max. allowance to the doctoral candidate: 1500 per month KIC InnoEnergy Scientist Conference Budget assumptions (total 1500 / doctoral candidate): Tuition fee (organizational costs): 600 Travel fee: 500 Accommodation: 280 Allowance: 20 per day => 120 for one week Firstly, the supervisor needs to approve the candidate s planned participation in a certain activity. If a planned activity qualifies for one of the modules, and can be financed by KIC InnoEnergy, requires approval by the candidate s track director. The content of an activity, the eligibility of a candidate and the management of his/her budget are all overseen by the track director. Each doctoral candidate is advised to report his/her KIC expenses to the track director to ensure that the allocated budget is put to best use. A bi-annual update of the Individual KAVA Plan is recommended. Certificate and Graduation Within each module the doctoral candidate has to complete a certain number of ECTS and other requirements to receive the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School Certificate on Energy Innovation. The certificate will only be granted after the doctoral candidate s successful graduation from their home university. Quality Management KIC InnoEnergy PhD School provides appropriate assistance to a candidate for the duration of the programme, through individual support by the relevant track director in conjunction with a candidate s supervisor

8 Eligibility and Ranking Eligibility Criteria Only eligible doctoral candidates that fulfil the following criteria are encouraged to apply for the KIC InnoEnergy PhD School: Selection Criteria 1. Doctoral candidates with secured financing for the duration of their PhD thesis. If a definite financial plan cannot be provided at the time of application, the PhD thesis supervisor must present a written, signed statement that promises financial support to the candidate until their PhD thesis is successfully completed. 2. Doctoral candidates performing their research in one of the thematic areas listed on page 6 of this handbook. 3. Doctoral candidates enrolled at one of the consortium universities listed on page 5 of this handbook, or associated with one of our KIC InnoEnergy partners. For further information on KIC InnoEnergy partners please visit our website: If you are associated with one of our industry partners, you still need to be enrolled as a doctoral candidate at a European university. Please contact the PhD School coordinator for further information. 4. Doctoral candidates performing a PhD thesis project that involves industry. Eligible doctoral candidates are evaluated and ranked according to the following flexible criteria. The highestranking candidates will be invited to a 1-day assessment centre, where final selection will take place. 1. Doctoral candidates with an exceptional interest in innovation and business creation (Motivation). 2. Doctoral candidates with an innovative research project with a high likelihood of business creation, product development or offer of service (Innovation). 3. Doctoral candidates who have an excellent scientific background (Know-how). Application Procedure Before applying, a doctoral candidate should assure that he/she is highly motivated and that his/her thesis project fulfils the eligibility requirements. The doctoral candidate needs the full support of his/her supervisor to apply. The following documents are part of the application process and need to be submitted in English: Motivation/cover letter. In the motivation/cover letter the following should be addressed: What, in relation to your PhD project and your personal career path, motivates you to join KIC InnoEnergy? Why do you wish to participate? In what ways is your PhD project directly relevant to KIC InnoEnergy? How does your thesis specifically contribute to KIC InnoEnergy s goals? CV. Completed application form. (which can be found on our website: Two recommendation letters. One letter must be from a professor (academia, not PhD supervisor) and one letter from an industry (involved in your project). Both recommendation letters need to comment on the suitability of the candidate and on his/her thesis in direct relation to KIC InnoEnergy. Letter of support. The letter of support must be from the PhD supervisor, and state 1) why the doctoral candidate is suitable for the programme, 2) that the doctoral candidate is permitted to participate in all required activities of the respective programme that they are applying for, including mobility, and 3) that financial support of the doctoral candidate is ensured until his/her graduation. Certificates and transcripts. Certificates and transcripts of the Masters diploma must display the grades of the individual courses taken. Application Deadline The KIC InnoEnergy PhD School is open for year-round applications. The evaluation committee meets three times a year, usually in January, May and September. Once the evaluation committee has finished ranking applicants a final selection will be made through online interviews and a one-day assessment centre. All documents should be sent as a single PDF file to the PhD School coordinator. phdschool@kic-innoenergy.com 14 15

9 KIC InnoEnergy SE is a European company with the strategic objective to become the leading engine of innovation in the field of sustainable energy. KIC InnoEnergy invests in research and education as well as innovation, commercialization and product development to secure Europe s global competitiveness in the field of energy technologies. KIC InnoEnergy PhD School High Tech Campus AG Eindhoven The Netherland phdschool@kic-innoenergy.com EUROPE BENELUX FRANCE GERMANY IBERIA POLAND PLUS SWEDEN KIC InnoEnergy receives funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. (EIT).