Our Research

How Do We Develop New Sustainable Fuels to Power Our Society?

Invention to commercialisation

We have long recognised the need for a greater level of commercialisation of public and charity funded research, as well as for educational programmes focused on instilling the enterprise mindset in future generations.

We are an active collaborative partner for joint research with industry and also recognise that impact can arise from our fundamental research in processes, healthcare and materials, via different routes and pathways. We therefore focus our efforts on building:

• Industrial links via consultancy, studentships, contracts and longer term research programmes, which can lead to improved processes, thereby enhancing productivity, competitiveness and wealth creation

• Entrepreneurship and supporting the creation of spin-outs, with a particular focus on inclusive innovation, and social and ethical entrepreneurship

• Clinical relationships resulting from a combination of entrepreneurial and collaborative activities

Current partnerships

Innovation Centre in Digital Molecular Technologies

We have close links with the Innovation Centre in Digital Molecular Technologies, an open innovation research centre co-funded by the University, AstraZeneca, Shionogi and the European Regional Development Fund. The iDMT is an incubator supporting UK SMEs in the transformation of chemistry into the digital domain. It is directed by our Professor of Sustainable Reaction Engineering - Professor Alexei Lapkin - and involves a number of our researchers, working on collaborative projects that link SMEs with academia and large companies to exploit the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning in molecular sciences, technologies and products.

Cambridge Infinitus Research Centre (CIRCE)

CIRCE was established through a collaboration between the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology and the Chinese company Infinitus, with the aim of analysing the biological activity of natural compounds from traditional Chinese medicines. Although many modern medicines derive from natural products, the cellular and molecular details are poorly understood. The major focus of CIRCE is to understand the molecular regulators of protein homeostasis in cells and model organisms to provide potential strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

AstraZeneca

We have a number of ongoing projects across multiple research groups with AstraZeneca on biopharmaceutical research to identify and address fundamental questions and challenges in bioprocessing. Our joint research programme was established in 2014-15 to foster a novel collaborative culture between the University of Cambridge and the Cambridge base of one of the world's leading biologics developers with the aim that researchers at both institutions will benefit from the freedom to think creatively and differently.

Partnership opportunities

We welcome enquiries from industry, and others, about possible collaborations to tackle particular problems or research areas, whether these are suited to a short consultancy, a small experimental programme or to a longer term study requiring a major research effort. Our staff members are always willing to form multi-disciplinary teams, with the relevant skills, which can be brought to bear on the problem of interest.

We offer flexible funding, intellectual property ownership, timing, personnel and management options to suit our client companies. Projects can either be funded directly, or a range of options exist whereby industrial effort, in cash or kind, is substantially leveraged by public funding. We also have the ability to locate and consult other experts within the University of Cambridge or elsewhere in academia, as needed.

Short research or consultancy programmes

We accept commissions to undertake an agreed paper study or programme of research, spanning typically a few days or weeks. For example, this may involve evaluating materials using a particular technique or instrument, or to examine the potential benefits of a more extensive research programme.

Research projects/programmes

Industrial sponsors of research programmes are invited to fund studies at postgraduate or postdoctoral level.

Pt II Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology research projects

You could help to devise and sponsor a final year project on our undergraduate course, which is undertaken by our fourth-year undergraduates, under the supervision of a member of our staff.

MPhil in Bioscience Enterprise and MPhil in Advanced Chemical Engineering

We welcome the involvement of companies in our Master's education programmes. Companies and their executives frequently contribute to course design, or lecture to and mentor students. Please see our MBE and ACE MPhil pages to find out more. Contact Dr Sarah Rough (MPhil ACE) or our MBE team for more information.

PhD research programme

A PhD research project is conducted by a student with a good honours degree, working full-time for three years, under the supervision of a member of staff who will be an expert in the field. We welcome the involvement of companies in supporting a PhD research project - please contact the appropriate academic lead of a relevant research group for more information. 

Partner with CUCES: the Cambridge University Chemical Engineering Society

Cambridge University Chemical Engineering Society (CUCES) is a student-run society with over 300 members, consisting of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

CUCES’s mission is to facilitate engagement between industry professionals and chemical engineering students by organising networking and social events through which students can learn about the exciting projects and opportunities that companies have to offer. If you would like to work with CUCES on a careers event, workshop or other engagement, contact them on Facebook or Instagram