Information for companies

What is an EngD?

An EngD (Engineering Doctorate) is a post-master programme at the 3rd cycle of university education that integrates academical training with hands-on industry design. The goal is to develop a design project that offers innovative solutions for real problems that companies face.

What does your company get out of the EngD programme?

EngD trainees are technological designers who can develop innovative design solutions to real engineering challenges that your company is facing.

EngD trainees develop design projects that last, on average, 12 months. During this time, the trainee designs innovative solutions in close collaboration with the company (e.g., as an intern). This project will be carried out under the supervision of both engineers from industry and university staff.

Besides obtaining a technological solution, you as a company get to know the trainee very well. At the end of the project, you are in the perfect position to decide whether to offer him/her a position within your company. Based on the experience with EngD trainees at other Universities, most trainees stay with the company and become a valuable new asset.

Types of employment

Trainees can be employed by the university or on payroll by the companies where the design project takes place. In either case, the trainee receives a monthly salary, and the participating companies cover the tuition fee.

Examples of EngD projects

You can find of examples of recent EngD projects and additional information about EngDs on the Stan Ackermans Institute (SAI) website.

Goal of the programme

The EngD programme on Autonomous Systems is founded in close collaboration with high-tech industries. Essentially, it is a strategic programme of the university as part of education innovation, and a bridge between fundamental research activities at the University of Groningen and industrial R&D programmes at high-tech companies in the Netherlands. It is part of the Dutch Sector Plan in Science and Technology II (in Dutch, Sectorplan Bèta en Techniek II).

In this context, the EngD programme will spearhead R&D initiatives with its partners of the Innovation Cluster Drachten (ICD). Eventually, the programme will extend its scope to work jointly with other related European Digital Innovation Hubs as well.

Contact & more information

Do not hesitate to contact us for more information. Simply e-mail us at autonomous.systems rug.nl and we'lll get back to you as soon as possible.

Last modified:

28 March 2024 3.20 p.m.