CAREERS
WORK EXPERIENCE AT ROTHAMSTED
We are committed to the development of our future scientists and workforce.
Overview
Our work experience programme is designed to provide students with an opportunity to be involved with cutting edge agricultural scientific research as well as a variety of office based and support tasks. We hope students will gain a useful insight into the various aspects of our organization and the skills necessary for different careers.
At Rothamsted Research we offer school students work experience at both our sites in Harpenden (Hertfordshire) and North Wyke (Devon). Our work experience is normally aimed at Year 10 and Year 12 students. Year 12 students have the opportunity to be interviewed as part of the process if they wish to gain interview experience.
We can offer a wide range of areas to gain experience in, such as facilities, horticultural and administration areas. Scientific placements are based within specific teams where students will become involved in the work of that team. Activities will include:
- Overview of Rothamsted Research
- Tour to scientific facilities and field experiments
- Health and Safety guidance
- Insight into the day by day work of a scientist
- Hands-on experience in laboratories
- Data analysis and reporting
- Opportunity to meet researchers and to ask questions about their work
North Wyke Work Experience
At our North Wyke site we offer a week in July. Students can apply throughout the year, for a limited number of places. For more information, please contact us via the details below.
Applications for 2022 are now closed
THE EXPERIENCE ROTHAMSTED PROGRAMME
Experience Rothamsted is a work experience programme designed to give year 12 students a taste of what it is like to be an agricultural research scientist. Students accepted onto the programme will follow a varied timetable of activities, workshops and skills sessions during one week of the school Easter holidays.
ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:
- Tours of science facilities.
- Shadowing scientists in the field and in labs while learning about their work.
- Presentations, workshops and discussion sessions around science issues and careers.
- Networking with Rothamsted scientists, technicians, and staff as well as other students on the programme.
WORD FROM OUR ALUMNI
Experience Rothamsted moved online in 2021. Here is what the participants had to say:
“The ‘meet a scientist’ sessions were great! You don’t get many opportunities as a student to just have a chat with some scientists!”
“I gained massive amounts of advice for my future”
“The whole experience has made me want to become a research scientist even more than I did before”
HOW TO APPLY?
Applications for the 2022 Experience Rothamsted programme are now closed.
Applications for the 2023 programme will open in January.
This programme takes place at our Harpenden site. All participants must be able to travel to and from the site for the duration of the programme. If you are located closer to our North Wyke site in Devon, please email workexperience@rothamsted.ac.uk to see whether we can host you on a work experience placement.
Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic we may need to move some, or all, of the Experience Rothamsted programme online. This will be communicated with you ahead of the programme starting.
How to Apply?
Details on how to apply for a place on the 2023 programme will be added early next year.
Please be aware that due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation we are still unsure whether we will be able to host students onsite next Spring. In that instance we will endeavour to move some, or all, of the Experience Rothamsted programme online.
