The Entrepreneurship-in-Residence Ph.D.Programme (EIR-Ph.D.) provides recently finished or nearly finishing Ph.D. candidates from the University of Edinburgh's School of Informatics with three months of salary while they pursue further research and development of their high-growth, technology-related start-up ideas. The EIR-Ph.D . programme is administrated by the Edinburgh-Stanford Link (ESL), a collaboration between the universities of Stanford and Edinburgh. ESL is situated within the School of Informatics. Funding for the programme is provided by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which is administered by the European Union (EU).

What are the terms of the ESL ? EIR programme?
The EIR-Ph.D. programme for the Spring of 2007 will commence on the Thursday, the 1 st of March and end on Thursday, the 31st of May, 2007. During these three months under contract, the EIR-Ph.D.(s) will interact with the ESL and other related parties to further explore and develop their ideas and opportunities. Technical research and development will be conducted in order to bring the project along closer to viability.

The EIR-Ph.D. is open to Ph.D. candidates in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh who have submitted their thesis between the 1 st of July, 2006 and the 31 st of January, 2007, or who have taken a suspension or leave of absence in order to pursue a new startup opportunity. Proposed ventures must have a scientific and technology element and have the potential for high growth and job creation here in Scotland. EIR-Ph.D. applicants must be serious about actually starting their businesses (this is not just an academic exercise).

The EIR-Ph.D.s will be required to provide weekly and monthly progress reports to members of the ESL. Also, they will be expected to pitch in certain forums and attend networking events. In addition, monthly timesheets and progress reports will need submitted as well.

The contract will be at the Grade of 6.3 (£23,457 gross pay, pro-rata to 3 months), at a standard 35 hour working week. Also, the Ph.D. EIR will be granted 2.5 days of holiday per month, and be eligible for all University holidays as well. Finally, the Ph.D. EIR will have the option to join the Universities Pensions Scheme.

All EIRs are responsible for ensuring their own working status is legal in Scotland and/or the United Kingdom. Expert sources should be consulted in this matter. The ESL does not claim to be an immigration expert or authority.

What about after May 31st, 2007?
EIR-Ph.D.s may then want to apply for the EPIS programme for a June 2007 start. The EPIS programme is one year in length. EPIS should be applied for early in the Spring of 2007 if not before; its url is: http://www.epis.org.uk/apply.htm . Other possibilities include the 2) Royal Society of Edinburgh's Enterprise Fellowship programme. The website should be checked for updates and application directions. Usually applications are made in October of each year; 3) Local incubators such as the Alba Centre or Start International; 4) Funding schemes such as SMART and SPUR; 5) SCIS; 6) ETF funding and 7) a combination of the above.

Intellectual Property
Contracts will be with the University of Edinburgh , during which time any and all intellectual property will be owned by the University of Edinburgh. This will be assigned over to the new company shortly after incorporation, and will take the form of a convertible loan.

EIR application process Please send the following via email:

1. a one page overview of your business venture that you wish to explore the viability of;
2. a recent CV or Resume; and
3. a statement from you explaining that you are a Ph.D. student in Informatics at the University of Edinburgh and have submitted your thesis between the 1st of Julym 2006 and the 31st of January 2007.

The application is due by Friday, the 9 th of February, 2007. Send via email to: Michael Clouser, Associate, ESL Michael.clouser@gmail.com

Preference will be given to candidates with Informatics-related ideas, especially those who might want to pursue the commercialization of their research. Such is in-line with the goals and mission of the ESL.

Candidates will be contacted the week afterward the closing date, and the Autumn Ph.D. EIRs announced by Friday, the 23 rd of February, at the latest. The Ph.D. EIR (s) will be expected to start on Thursday, the 1stof March, 2007.