£8.1m Centre at Queen’s to tackle world’s data storage needs 

A Queen's led collaboration with the University of Glasgow and industry has received £8.1m for a new Centre to tackle some of the challenges created by the increasing quantities of data generated by society today.

The new Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT), under the auspices of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), will go some way to addressing a skills shortage in the photonics industry, and help develop new products and systems to tackle the expanding data storage needs of today’s fast moving digital world.

The science of photonics, which is based around the use of light, is the foundation for many innovations from vision correction and endoscopy, to telecommunications and robotics. It formed the basis for the telecommunications revolution of the late 20th century and created the infrastructure needed for the internet.

The CDT, to be known as the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Photonic Integration for Advanced Data Storage, will educate fifty future scientists and engineers, over the next eight years.

The funding for the Queen’s CDT, which has been provided by the University and partners including the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, will enable doctoral students to collaborate with 12 industry partners in a bid to generate new ideas for research and commercial opportunities.

Speaking about the new Centre, its Director, Professor Robert Bowman (pictured left) from Queen’s School of Mathematics and Physics, said: “The type of innovation required to deliver the much needed advances in this area necessitates multi-site and multi-disciplinary collaboration and committed industry partners. As a result of the CDT initiative from the EPSRC and the funding from DEL and our partners, we are now in a position to give doctoral students a unique environment to drive research and make a significant impact in this area.”

The University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Patrick Johnston (above right), added: “Queen’s work in the area of photonics and advanced data storage is globally renowned, and it is a tremendously important sector for Northern Ireland and the UK. I wish to thank Professor Bowman for his leadership on this project, and the EPSRC, the Department for Employment and Learning and our industry partners for having the vision to support this Centre and help secure the sector’s future through ensuring a flow of highly skilled graduates and future industry and academic leaders.”

Expressing his support for the new Queen’s-led Centre, the Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry (centre above), said: “I have been pleased to help facilitate this Centre for Doctoral Training, led by Queen’s and involving significant industry partners, including Seagate Technology. It is a strategically important development for Northern Ireland.

“The Centre will support 50 future scientists and engineers, who will benefit greatly from being part of an exciting and supportive learning experience while developing key skills that are crucial not only for themselves but also for the wider economy.”

To date the EPSRC’s CDT scheme has seen a total investment of £962 million in 115 Centres across the UK.

EPSRC’s Chief Executive, Professor Philip Nelson, said: “I am pleased to welcome this new centre. The area they will be working in is very important, addressing how we manage the ever-increasing quantities of data our society generates.”

Students from the new Centre will also spend time working alongside leading researchers at the University of Glasgow, including those in the University’s James Watt Nanofabrication Centre, which is recognised as a state-of-the-art facility.

More information on applying to study in the new Centre can be found on www.brightrecruits.com and www.findaphd.com, by contacting Professor Robert Bowman via email at r.m.bowman@qub.ac.uk or by following the Centre’s Twitter account @CDT_PIADS

Media inquiries to Lisa McElroy, Senior Communications Officer, Queen’s University Belfast. Tel: 028 90 97 5384 or email lisa.mcelroy@qub.ac.uk

Back to Main News

   

           

Top of Page