EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge
The EPSRC Sensor CDT is an EPSRC/UKRI-funded Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Cambridge delivering a 1+3 MRes + PhD programme in sensor technologies and applications. It trains ~10 fully-funded postgraduates annually across disciplines from healthcare to environmental monitoring, supported by industrial partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersCambridge, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge does
The EPSRC Sensor CDT is an academic Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Cambridge, established in 2014 and funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). It delivers a four-year 1+3 MRes + PhD programme in Sensor Technologies and Applications, structured around three core taught modules (Principles of Sensing, Machine Learning for Data Intensive Science, and Responsible Research and Inclusive Innovation), supplemented by mini-research projects and team challenges producing applied open-source sensor prototypes in healthcare, environmental monitoring, and agriculture. Approximately ten fully-funded EPSRC studentships are awarded each year, with eligible home students receiving a TechExpert-pilot-enhanced stipend of £31,805 pa for the 2026/27 cohort.
The CDT is led by Director Prof. Lorenzo Di Michele and Co-Director Prof. Tijmen Euser (effective 31 March 2026 transition), supported by a small core management team of ~7 within Cambridge's Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. Industrial partners including AstraZeneca, ARM, Hitachi, Alphasense, Fluidic Analytics, and Diamond Light Source contribute through lectures, mentorship, research secondments, and co-funded studentships. Over 120 postgraduate students have been trained since inception.
As a government-funded academic training centre, the CDT does not generate commercial revenue. Its funding model consists of EPSRC/UKRI grant funding (covering fees and stipends), the UK TechExpert pilot (delivered on behalf of DSIT, providing an additional £10,000 per year enhanced stipend for the 2026/27 cohort), and in-kind industry partner contributions. The programme distributes exclusively through the University of Cambridge postgraduate admissions portal and does not sell to enterprise customers in a commercial sense; its primary beneficiaries are PhD candidates in sensor-related disciplines and the UK research and innovation ecosystem.
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge
- Legal name
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sensor Technologies and Applications in an Uncertain World
- Website
- https://cdt.sensors.cam.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The EPSRC Sensor CDT is an EPSRC/UKRI-funded Centre for Doctoral Training at the University of Cambridge delivering a 1+3 MRes + PhD programme in sensor technologies and applications. It trains ~10 fully-funded postgraduates annually across disciplines from healthcare to environmental monitoring, supported by industrial partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Cambridge
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- EPSRC/UKRI Core Funding: Primary funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation. Provides maintenance grants at UKRI level (£21,805 for academic year starting October 2026), university fees coverage, and Research Training and Support Grants for students.
- TechExpert Pilot Enhanced Funding: Additional £10,000 per year enhanced stipend above UKRI minimum for TechExpert pilot participants, delivered by UKRI EPSRC on behalf of DSIT to strengthen UK's innovation pipeline
- Industrial Partner Contributions: Industry partners support delivery of training elements through lectures, mentorship, research secondments, and co-funded PhD projects such as the AstraZeneca studentship
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Fully-funded EPSRC studentship covering fees and providing UKRI-level maintenance grant |
| Subscription | Annual | TechExpert pilot enhanced stipend for eligible students |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The EPSRC Sensor CDT delivers a four-year structured 1+3 MRes and PhD programme in Sensor Technologies and Applications at the University of Cambridge, combining taught modules, mini-research projects, team challenges and a continuous industry-engaged training curriculum. It admits approximately 10 fully EPSRC-funded students per year, supported by an external advisory board, dual-supervisor PhD projects across multiple Cambridge departments, and an annual Sensors Day conference. The CDT participates in the UK TechExpert pilot offering an enhanced stipend of £10,000 per year above the UKRI minimum to eligible home students.
Product overview
The EPSRC Sensor CDT offers an integrated 1+3 programme (MRes + PhD) in Sensor Technologies and Applications at the University of Cambridge. The programme combines a one-year Master of Research with a three-year PhD, structured around three taught modules (Principles of Sensing, Machine Learning, and Responsible Research and Inclusive Innovation) and research components including mini-research projects and team challenges. Continuous training is provided throughout via industry talks, workshops, Sensor Cafes, and the annual Sensors Day conference. Students develop expertise across sensor technologies, middleware, and applications with interdisciplinary supervision from multiple university departments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MRes in Sensor Technologies and Applications One-year Master of Research programme teaching sensor technologies, machine learning and responsible research, consisting of taught modules and research components including mini-projects and team challenges; offered to prospective PhD students as the foundation year of the CDT's 1+3 programme.
- PhD Research Programme in Sensor Technologies and Applications Three-year interdisciplinary PhD research project supervised by two supervisors from different departments, completed after the MRes year; awarded to postgraduate students in sensor technologies spanning healthcare, environmental monitoring, space technology, robotics and new device applications.
- Sensors Day Annual Conference Annual conference bringing together researchers from academia and industry, featuring student presentations, industry exhibition and industry pitching sessions.
- AstraZeneca Industry Studentship Fully-funded combined 1+3 MRes and PhD studentship focusing on protein stability in biopharmaceutical processing, funded by AstraZeneca as an industrial partner of the CDT.
Quantifiable outcome
- 120+ postgraduate students trained since 2014
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature4 records
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.
- AstraZenecacoreIndustrial partner supporting PhD projects, providing research secondments, lectures and mentorship. Currently funding an industry studentship on protein stability in biopharmaceutical processing.
- ARMcoreTechnology partner involved in CDT training delivery through lectures, mentorship and collaborative research projects in sensor technologies.
- Alphasense LtdsupportingIndustrial partner supporting CDT activities through lectures, mentorship and research collaborations in sensor technologies.
- Fluidic AnalyticssupportingIndustrial partner contributing to CDT training through lectures and mentorship programmes.
- HitachicoreTechnology partner engaged with CDT through lectures, mentorship and collaborative PhD projects.
- Diamond Light SourcesupportingResearch institution partner supporting CDT through collaborative PhD projects and training elements.
- Rothamsted ResearchsupportingAgricultural research institution that approached Sensor CDT to develop automated biodiversity monitoring techniques, collaborating on DAISY sensor project.
- NEB (New England Biolabs)minorSponsor for 2017 Team Challenge on arsenic sensor development, providing support for reagents and equipment.
- HenkelminorSponsor for 2017 Team Challenge project on cell-free sensor platform for arsenic detection.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- ARM Ltd: Cambridge-based semiconductor IP company and Core industrial partner of the Sensor CDT, engaged through lectures, mentorship, and collaborative PhD projects. Industry peer representing the semiconductor ecosystem that underpins modern sensor processing and edge AI.
- Alphasense Ltd: UK-based manufacturer of gas sensors and air quality monitoring instrumentation, listed as a Supporting industrial partner of the Sensor CDT. Represents one of the commercial sensor companies the CDT engages with through lectures, mentorship, and collaborative research.
- Diamond Light Source: UK's national synchrotron science facility and Supporting industrial partner of the Sensor CDT. Research institution peer enabling advanced characterisation and sensor-related experiments through collaborative PhD projects.
Emerging players
- Owlstone Medical: Cambridge-headquartered company developing breath biopsy diagnostics based on chemical sensor technology. Peer in the Cambridge sensor ecosystem with overlapping healthcare sensing applications and potential collaboration pathways through CDT alumni and the wider Cambridge sensor network.
Direct peers
- EPSRC CDT in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems: Another EPSRC-funded Centre for Doctoral Training hosted at the University of Cambridge, focused on connected electronic and photonic systems. Direct peer as a structurally identical doctoral training programme with overlapping research themes in sensing, photonics, and electronics, sharing the same Cambridge ecosystem and EPSRC funder.
- Imperial College London CDTs in Sensors and Robotics: Imperial College hosts multiple EPSRC-funded CDTs in sensor-related disciplines. Direct peer as a comparable UK academic institution running structurally similar doctoral training programmes with industry engagement models.
- EPSRC CDT in Advanced Autonomous Systems: EPSRC-funded CDT covering robotics and autonomous systems, which depend heavily on sensor technologies. Direct peer as another EPSRC doctoral training centre with overlapping sensor application themes in robotics and intelligent systems.
- CamBridgeSens: University of Cambridge sensor research centre previously directed by Prof. Clemens Kaminski (the outgoing Sensor CDT Director). Direct peer representing the broader Cambridge sensor research ecosystem with shared faculty, infrastructure, and government relationships.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge social profiles
Digital presenceEPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge
What does EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge do?
The EPSRC Sensor CDT delivers a four-year structured 1+3 MRes and PhD programme in Sensor Technologies and Applications at the University of Cambridge, combining taught modules, mini-research projects, team challenges and a continuous industry-engaged training curriculum. It admits approximately 10 fully EPSRC-funded students per year, supported by an external advisory board, dual-supervisor PhD projects across multiple Cambridge departments, and an annual Sensors Day conference. The CDT participates in the UK TechExpert pilot offering an enhanced stipend of £10,000 per year above the UKRI minimum to eligible home students.
Is EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge a public or private company?
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge founded?
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge based?
EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge is headquartered in Cambridge, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. EPSRC/UKRI Core Funding is the primary driver. The others are techExpert Pilot Enhanced Funding and industrial Partner Contributions.
Who are EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge's main competitors?
Others on record are ARM Ltd, Alphasense Ltd and Diamond Light Source. Owlstone Medical is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are EPSRC CDT in Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems, Imperial College London CDTs in Sensors and Robotics, EPSRC CDT in Advanced Autonomous Systems and CamBridgeSens.
Does EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge have an API?
No public API is recorded for EPSRC Sensor CDT, University of Cambridge.