SUPER DTP postgraduate researchers (PGRs) are encouraged to undertake an internship during the course of their studies to support their personal and career development.
Internships undertaken as part of the SUPER DTP are intended to generate mutual benefit between students and host organisations and to enhance the quality or impact of research.
The SUPER DTP internships guidance document outlines more information for PGRs and host organisations about internship benefits, suggested timings, funding, suspension of studies, and how to find, or set up, internships.
Another useful resource is a guide to gaining work experience outside academia from Vitae, The researcher on placement.
Experiences
SUPER PGRs share their experiences of undertaking an internship:
- Victoria Gillman: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2023.
- Callum Hamilton: Rastech, 2023.
- Sophie Smith: Deutsches Meeremuseum Stralsund, 2023.
- Charlotte Lee: MiAlgae, 2023.
- Izzy Langley: SMRU Consulting, 2023.
- Jack Sheehy: JNCC, 2021.
- Lydia McGill: NatureScot, 2020.
Current Opportunities
Below are internship opportunities or short fixed-term vacancies that the SUPER team have found. If they do not suit, you can source your own opportunities by defining what you are looking for and making approaches to relevant organisations. The list of SUPER DTP associate partners is a useful reference for possible organisations to contact.
Those with Deadlines
The Lower Ure Conservation Trust Project Intern
The candidate will assist with the delivery of the National Lottery Heritage Fund project ‘Ure Connected – Engaging People with Nature in the Lower Ure Valley’. The project’s aim is to increase capacity for nature conservation and restoration on under-managed Priority Habitats in the area while also increasing engagement with the local community. This role will include habitat management, ecological surveying and maintenance of reserve infrastructure and hides as well as helping to run a programme of events for adults & families, educational sessions for school children and community workdays. This is a part-time internship for 8 months, paid at £11.44/hr and based in Nosterfield Nature Reserve, North Yorkshire. Find out more on the LUCT website. The deadline for application is Sunday 12 May.
British Ecological Society POST Fellowship
Fellowships offer opportunity for PGRs to gain real-world experience in the communication of research to policy makers. The successful applicant will be based in UK Parliament, supporting its use of research evidence, potentially outside their immediate area of expertise. POST Fellowships may involve producing POSTnotes, POSTbriefs, or contributed to other briefing reports, being placed with a Select Committee, engaging directly with science and policy by supporting the Committee’s work in scrutinising Government, and organising briefing events. This is a full time fellowship for 13 weeks, based in London. An award of £7,200 will be paid in two installments. Find out more on the BES website. The deadline for applications is 11.59 pm on Wednesday 12 June.
UK Government Open Innovation Team PhD Placements
Placements will see participants joining policy projects across a range of areas including health, justice, education, sustainability, energy, international development, and artificial intelligence. For the first time this year, participants will have the opportunity to work with the team’s new Evaluation Service which evaluates the impact of policies that have been implemented across government. This is a full time placement for 3 months, based in London. Find out more on the UK Government website. The deadline for applications is noon on Friday 14 June.
Open Recruitment
UKRI Research Exchange and Internship Opportunities
The UKRI provides year-round opportunities for SUPER DTP PGRs, as doctoral students funded by the Natural Environmental Research Council, to undertake a placement or internship. Find out more on the UKRI website.
The Technology Partnership Industry Internships
TTP is an independent technology company where scientists, engineers, and designers collaborate to invent and develop new products and technologies. Your internship will see you putting your technical and research skills to work within a commercially focused environment; providing the opportunity to experience how your academic knowledge and skillsets could be utilised within an industry setting. Flexible length of programme, usually between 3 to 6 months. Internships are paid. Find out more on the TTP website.
People’s Trust for Endangered Species Student Internship
The PTES Wildlife Conservation Internship Programme began in 2001. Since then over 90 young people have benefitted, working on practical projects helping hedgehogs, water voles, pine martens, bats, adders, bottlenose dolphins, numerous butterflies and a host of other species. Internships range from full time for 6 months, up to 18 months part-time. A grant of up to £5,000 is available to support living costs whilst the work is undertaken. Find out more on the PTES website.
The United Nations Internship Programme
The UN offers internships across multiple departments in locations worldwide. Internships last for at least two and can be as long as six months and are unpaid, but some support is available through your TSG. Find out more on the UN website and apply for open positions. Apply for the UN Environment Programme specifically here.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Policy Internships
Successful interns will provide support to OECD Policy Analysts in one of many areas, including climate, energy, and science and technology. Typical tasks include:
- participating in the preparation of studies and documents, carrying out research and reviews of existing materials;
- collecting, organising, and analysing data;
- contributing to the production of documents, working papers and publications resulting from the above activities, including drafting notes and preparing technical annexes, and;
- liaising and building networks with officials in national administrations, researchers, other international organisations and member country Delegations.
The majority of internships are based in Paris, France and are full time for 1 to 6 months. Interns receive a contribution to living expenses of ~700€/mnth. Find our more on the OECD website.
STEM Ambassador Programme
The STEM Ambassador programme through STEM Learning is flexible, allowing you to volunteer in a way that suits you, it could be online or in person, in schools or in community groups, by supporting lessons or extra-curricular activities and working with young people or their educators. STEM Ambassadors make an impact by:
- Supporting learning – help young people to understand the real world applications of their learning.
- Illuminating careers – showcase different careers, providing information on roles and pathways into industry while raising awareness of the skills that are important in the workplace.
- Raising aspirations – give young people the opportunity to meet a wide range of inspiring role models, encouraging them as they think about their future.
Find out more on the STEM Learning website.