Academic partners
Associate partners
Discovery Park
Discovery Park is one of the UK’s leading science and technology hubs, located in Kent with excellent connections to London and Europe.
Our 220-acre site supports over 180 innovative companies, from early-stage ventures to global corporations, working across life sciences, technology and complementary fields. With state-of-the-art labs, flexible office spaces, and a collaborative community, Discovery Park is uniquely positioned to help businesses of all sizes start, scale, and succeed. Our commitment to innovation and growth makes us a natural partner for those seeking to make a real-world impact, and we are proud to be recognised as a Life Science Opportunity Zone by the UK government.
Our on-site Barclays Eagle Lab and dedicated Innovation team provide a wealth of support, from free mentoring, growth and investor readiness programmes to industry-led events that bring together professionals from across sectors. With regular networking events, social spaces, and community activities, we create an environment where ideas flourish, collaborations thrive, and scientific breakthroughs happen.
We are delighted to support LIDo’s mission as a non-HEI strategic partner, working together to advance doctoral training through real-world career readiness and industry-facing opportunities for life science PhD students. Discovery Park contributes to the LIDo programme in several ways:
- Industry Engagement: Through participation in LIDo’s Impact, Internship, and Industry (3i) Committee, we ensure that Discovery Park’s industry insights align with evolving career priorities for doctoral graduates. We remain actively involved in LIDo initiatives, offering industry perspective and guidance.
- Bio-Industry Awareness Events: Building on our past collaborations, Discovery Park hosts bio-industry events aimed at bridging academia and industry. We plan to expand this to a full symposium in late 2024, tailored to guide PhD students through critical stages of their career paths.
- Hands-On Training through Discovery Start: In March 2024, we hosted Venture Quest, part of our Discovery Start programme, which offers cross-disciplinary skill-building workshops for PhDs and early career researchers (ECRs). This included students from the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent, providing a network-expanding experience highly appreciated by participants.
- Annual iCASE Symposium: Each summer, Discovery Park holds an iCASE symposium, inviting LIDo students to connect with potential industry partners, showcase research, and explore internship opportunities with businesses across our network.
Together with LIDo, Discovery Park envisions fostering a vibrant talent pool that benefits from both the academic expertise of DTPs and the industry-driven environment at Discovery Park which supports the future leaders in life sciences.
