Academics and industrial researchers are invited to submit project outlines for 6-month cross-disciplinary projects.

The Institute for Molecular Science and Engineering (IMSE) at Imperial College London supports short projects to pump-prime cross-disciplinary research between Imperial academics and industry (including start-ups), heritage organisations, and healthcare providers. 

 These 6-month projects are provide a valuable mechanism to initiate or develop collaborations, and allow proof-of-concept studies at low cost. There is no limit to the number of proposals that an individual academic or external partner can submit.  

 Imperial academics and external organisations are invited to submit an outline proposal for a cross-disciplinary project in the field of molecular science and engineering via this online form.

 If you are interested in this opportunity and have any queries, or would like support to find a collaborator, get in touch with Dr Steph Pendlebury. 

 These projects are part of IMSE Master's course, the Molecular Engineering MRes.The programme includes a 6 month cross-disciplinary research project with an external research placement. Projects will run from February to September 2025.

Cross-disciplinary training at the interface of science and engineering 

This unique programme, developed in partnership with industry, trains graduates from physical science and engineering backgrounds to work in the field of molecular science and engineering.  Students develop the cross-disciplinary expertise to work on exciting challenges at the interface of science and engineering. The taught modules provide a grounding in designing (using machine learning and optimisation), synthesising, manufacturing, multiscale modelling, characterising and measuring molecules and materials – from atomic scale to systems level. Students then undertake a cross-disciplinary research project in collaboration with an external partner – usually industrial, or an NHS trust, national lab/facility, or cultural heritage organisation.  

Research placement? 

Projects are planned in collaboration with the external partner, to investigate a topic or challenge that is of value to both partners. The student’s research placement could be a 3-month long extended placement or a series of shorter visits, at a site in the UK, EU or overseas. Remote placements, where the research is undertaken entirely at Imperial, under the joint supervision of the academic and external supervisors, are possible in some circumstances.  IMSE can facilitate matching of academic supervisors with industry partners.  External partners are expected to contribute cash and in-kind support for the project and student placement costs.  

Submit your proposal 

The deadline for submitting your project outline is 15th July – submit your proposal via the short online form. Sponsorship from the external partner must be confirmed by 15th September at the latest.

 This call is open to academics and Fellows (whose contract ends after September 2025) from any department at Imperial, and to companies (or other non-academic external partners) who have a cross-disciplinary research challenge and can host a student for the research placement or a series of shorter visits.   

Please contact IMSE Institute Manager, Dr Steph Pendlebury, for more information. An overview of some previous projects can be found here. If you have an idea for a project but you’re not sure if it’s suitable, or you don’t yet have a collaboration in place, please do get in touch.