Education

Postgraduate Opportunities

Nimbus offer full-time, part-time and work-placement postgraduate studies up to Doctoral Level 10. Students from all over the world have carried out their research projects here and have graduated to successful careers in academia and industry. Students typically carry out their projects at the applied end of the research spectrum and work on novel approaches and solutions to real-world challenges in the areas of Nimbus Centres’ research interest. Due to our wide range of research applications, we have students from many different disciplines. We also work with a number of different academic departments from Cork Institute of Technology on co-supervision of students.

"There are many advantages to working in the Nimbus Centre including developing a network of contacts across a number of disciplines including engineering, computer science and design to name but a few. Through the CPT work, I have the opportunity to work on a number of group projects with many different people and the work varies from usability testing to design to evaluating the user experience, whatever the product or service may be. There is always something new to work on and that keeps things fresh and exciting! When working on a number of projects, it is very important to allocate your time appropriately to each one and this is something I have greatly improved on through my time in the Nimbus Centre. I have gained an in-depth insight into how projects and research are run within the centre and work is obtained by the leading staff members. I have learnt that communication and teamwork are crucial for a centre such as Nimbus to work well because there is so much going on under the one roof and without communication, no one will know what you are doing! ".

Michelle O' Keefe

PhD Student, Nimbus Research Centre

Our supervisors have a strong history of research activity and have gained extensive national and international funding and recognition for their work. We are committed to providing a supportive environment for our students by integrating them into a larger research team and into our postgraduate community. As Nimbus Centre carries out research for national and international funding agencies and also directly for industry, students are exposed to a wide range of research activity. Our students have the opportunity to take learning modules and training in both generic research and professional skills and in discipline-specific skills.

Nimbus Centre funded postgraduate scholarships typically pay a monthly stipend and registration fees (subject to funding agency limits). Funded postgraduate opportunities will be advertised and applications should be made in response to specific advertisements

"During my internship I have really enjoyed seeing how projects develop and evolve as well as familiarising myself with how they are structured. The friendly environment and high experienced staff have made it possible to ask questions when needed and learn from their capabilities. Completing my internship in Nimbus has also helped develop new skills in IT tools while gaining a broader knowledge of the overall tech field".

Matthew Long

3rd Year, Software Development Student, CIT

Undergraduate Opportunities

Nimbus Centre provides undergraduate, final year project opportunities, from one to three semesters, for students from Cork Institute of Technology and partner institutes. We have supervised successful projects for students from a range of disciplines whose project supports Nimbus Centre’s research areas or contributes to exploration of new research topics.

Our students engage with real-life applications of smart technologies and are members of a research team for the duration of their projects. This gives our students the relevant education, experience and teamwork skills to work as part of a large research project. Our students have found that an undergraduate project in Nimbus Centre is a valuable addition to their CV and students frequently return to us for postgraduate study or to work as researchers.

Internships & Erasmus Programme

Nimbus Centre operates a highly successful Summer Internship Programme for Irish and Erasmus undergraduate students, where interns experience what it is like to work in a research environment. We provide internships for up to 15 students each year.

"Working in Nimbus has provided the opportunity to put into practice what I have learnt in my MSc. There is the freedom to explore your ideas as well as working with like minded individuals who share your passion. You work on your own initiative while also having the support of all staff members regardless of their area of expertise".

Laura Blake

MSc Marketing Practice, CIT

"Being an intern in Nimbus has allowed me to work with highly qualified and competent people on interesting projects. Everybody is friendly and willing to help. Also, I am learning "bleeding edge" technologies which will stand to me in the future. I enjoy new technology and seeing its capabilities, being able to be a part of that in Nimbus is fabulous"

Aidan Dennehy

BSc,Website Development CIT

Typically, students will spend 3-6 months working on a real research project. An internship at Nimbus Centre is a full-time position and students are treated as a valued member of a research team. Our aim is for students to gain valuable, real world skills under the support of an experienced supervisor. Feedback on our Summer Internship Programme has been highly positive and many of our new interns apply based on recommendations from previous students.

Erasmus Partners

Polytech Sorbonne, Paris, ISEN Brest, University of Angers, ENSAM Bordeaux ,ICAM Lille, Polytech Lyon, Polytech Tours, University of Seville, University of Salerno,University of Strasbourg, Polytech Paris Sud, University of Nantes

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Transistion Year

For secondary school students, we encourage Cork Institute of Technology STEM education programmes through presentations on our research and tours of Nimbus Centre for school groups.

Each year we assist on selected school projects that focus on the use of smart technologies and that align with our research areas. Nimbus Centre has previously supported BT Young Scientist winners, hosted Engineers Ireland school workshops and taken on transition year students for work experience. During these events and workshops, students get to work alongside our engineers in labs, learning everything from how a sensor works to how to write code.