Apply: Royal Institution PhD Internships in Science Communication
Deadline: 11 juLY
PhD Internships (x9)
Location: 21 Albemarle Street, London
Contract Type: 3-month full-time internship for PhD students – 35 hours per week.
Payment: by stipend from university, DTP, Research Council. Please check funding with your DTP before applying
Christmas Lectures Intern (x1)
Duration: mid September to December 2023
Closing Date: 9am, 11 July 2023
This placement will involve joining the Ri at its busiest and most exciting time of year; the planning, filming and broadcasting of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES. Started by Michael Faraday in 1825, and first broadcast on television in 1936, the CHRISTMAS LECTURES are the UK's flagship science series. This three-part series is filmed in front of a live audience in the Ri’s famous lecture theatre and watched by millions on the BBC over the festive period.
As intern you will assist with the creation, development and implementation of the CHRISTMAS LECTURES and associated activities.
You don’t need TV or presenting experience, but experience working on projects with multiple stakeholders and a rigid timetable and experience of delivering science communication/education projects would be useful.
Digital Media Interns (x4)
Duration: October 2023 to January 2024, February to April 2024, May to July 2024, August to October 2024
Closing Date: 9am, 18 July 2023
At the Ri, we see digital as a vital way to bring thought-provoking science and our rich heritage to millions of people online. As digital media intern, you will help support the Ri’s digital content production and platforms.
Are you interested in learning more about digital media and discovering the potential for using digital media to communicate science to diverse and global audiences? Then this opportunity will be perfect for you. Responsibilities for the internship will vary depending on your interests and experience, and the time of year.
Marketing & Communications Intern (x1)
Duration: mid-September to mid-December 2023
Closing Date: 9am, 25 July 2023
To help support the many different media and communications campaigns in the lead-up to the CHRISTMAS LECTURES and support the marketing of the Public Programme talks for the first quarter of 2024.
You will act as ‘writer in residence’/press officer, creating interest pieces for the Ri to pitch to media contacts and blog content to support organic search engine optimisation.
Formal experience is not necessary, but a passion for writing copy and the ability to edit content would be ideal.
(LYSC) L'Oreal Young Scientist Centre Interns (x3)
Duration: February to April 2024, May to July 2024, August to October 2024
Closing Date: 9am, 8 August 2023
The L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre (YSC) delivers a programme of inspiring science workshops to young people aged 7 to 18. Workshops range from investigating acids and alkalis while making bath bombs with primary aged children to using micropipettes, restriction enzymes and gel electrophoresis with secondary aged students to determine who may have committed a (fictional) crime.
As the intern, you will assist the delivery of these workshops, interacting with the young people who attend and building your confidence in presenting educational content, , developing your skills in a lab technician role, and designing content for use at events and on Ri social media.
Experience of working in science communication or with young people is not necessary; you just need to be interested in science education/education outreach, enthusiastic to get involved and keen to learn new skills.
Who are we looking for?
These placements are ideal for anyone interested in science education, education outreach, working with young people, and science communication. There is no need for prior experience in science communication or working with young people, but we are looking for applicants with great team skills who are enthusiastic, flexible, open-minded, and keen to learn new skills.
About the Ri
The purpose of the Royal Institution is to connect as many people as possible with science. We've been doing it for well over 200 years and have an international reach, working with world-leading scientists, from Hannah Fry to Carlo Rovelli.
We talk, and listen, to the public. We help scientists talk, and listen, to the public. We develop critical thinking and a spirit of exploration in young people through our educational work.
Our activities include the world-famous CHRISTMAS LECTURES, talks from leading scientists and thinkers, explosive science shows, engaging school programmes, the Faraday Museum, our archival collections, and our innovative digital engagement activities, including live-streamed talks and our YouTube channel, which has over one million subscribers.
The Ri's large Grade 1 listed multi-purpose building on Albemarle Street, Mayfair is open to the public and acts as a busy events venue, as well as providing office accommodation for the Ri team and commercial tenants.
Eligibility
This opportunity is open to PhD students who are eligible to undertake an internship as part of their studentship and receive a stipend from their Doctoral Training Programme (DTP) in order to do so. Please check your eligibility with your university placements officer or DTP to ensure funding is available before applying for this internship.
Participating Research Councils include (but may not be exclusive to): BBSRC, NERC, MRC, AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC.
Please note there is no formal agreement in place between RI and UKRI, and each placement will be reviewed by the grant holder and approved at their discretion.
You will need to obtain the grant holder’s written permission to undertake the placement, outlining any funding arrangements, before a position can be offered
Unfortunately, the Ri is unable to assist with accommodation costs; applicants need to be able to arrange accommodation in London or the South East for the duration of the three months. Some assistance with travel costs may be available.
Interested?
To apply, please send your CV and a supporting statement (of no more than 500 words) to recruitment@ri.ac.ukexplaining why you are interested in the internship and how you meet the criteria set out in the job descriptions below.
Closing dates and timelines for interview will depend on which internship you decide to apply for. For details please see our website and each individual job description.
Equal opportunities
We ask applicants to complete and return the recruitment monitoring form (see downloads below) along with their application. The Ri is committed to equality of opportunity at all stages of the recruitment process. The information supplied in this form will be treated in strict confidence and not form part of the selection process. You may choose not to disclose some or all of the information requested in the form, and this will not affect your application in any way.
This role will require the successful candidate to undergo an enhanced DBS check upon starting the role.
*External Opportunity. For more information follow the links.