Careers › Work experience

Our work experience programme is designed to provide students with an opportunity to be involved with cutting edge science research as well as a variety of office based and support tasks. We would hope that students would gain a useful insight into the various aspects of our organization and the skills necessary for different careers.

1) Work experience

Working in the lab

Normally a Year 10 or 11 student (age 14-16 years) who completes a week/two week placement with us in the latter part of the school year (Easter - July).

Work Experience Placements 2013

Although Rothamsted Research remains fully committed to providing work experience opportunities for pupils from a number of schools, we regret to advise prospective students that for opportunities in 2013 we are now oversubscribed, so further applications for this year will not be accepted. Therefore we are unable to offer any further placements that have not already been confirmed with the student and the appropriate school. If you have not had a confirmation of placement from us, it is very unlikely that you have been successfully allocated a placement.

We very much hope to have further placements available during 2014 and advise you to keep an eye on this web-site where further information will become available.

We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause.

2) Research placements for Year 12 students through the Nuffield Schools and Colleges Bursaries

Controlled environment work

Rothamsted Research is a successful partner for the Nuffield Schools and Colleges Bursaries that is supported by BBSRC via RCUK and offer bursaries to first year Advanced/Higher post-16 science students, helping students to take part in projects in universities, industry, or research institutions during the summer holidays. These are competitive bursaries with a rigorous selection criteria.

Students will receive £80/week from the Nuffield Foundation to cover their travel expenses.

How to apply?

Applications for 2013 are now open in most regions. The timetable varies from region to region to fit in with the local pattern of terms and holidays. Please contact your Regional Coordinator to register your interest and find out more about the scheme.

For more information, please contact Adelia de Paula (adelia.depaula@rothamsted.ac.uk).

3) Undergraduate Placements

Doing fieldwork

Undergraduates normally work on research projects typically in a laboratory for around eight weeks during their vacation. This provides an excellent opportunity for them to gain first hand research experience in an internationally respected laboratory and is particularly useful for undergraduates who may be considering taking up a PhD studentship after they graduate. The ideal time for this experience is during their vacation following the second year of an undergraduate course. We also offer placements to international students who are required to spend some time in an overseas institution. As these can be longer placements, applicants will need to ensure that their visit is fully funded by their academic institute or a scheme such as the Leonardo da Vinci or Jeunes àTravers le Monde.

How to apply?

Rothamsted Research are able to offer a limited number of student placements within many of our Departments. Please use the form below to register your interest in coming to Rothamsted Research and send to Donna Fellowes, Human Resources Department ( rres.training@rothamsted.ac.uk)

Non PhD Student Placement/Intern Request Form