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Policy placements

The call for applications is closed

Next application deadline: 2013 TBC

A 3-month placement opportunity for BBSRC-funded PhD students to gain experience of working in science policy.

Placements are available at:

  • British Library
  • Centre for Science and Policy
  • Government Office for Science
  • National Assembly for Wales Research Service
  • Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • The Royal Society Science Policy Centre
  • The Scottish Parliament Information Centre
  • Society of Biology

During their placement successful applicants will work on an area of science policy by contributing to one or more of the following activities:

  • Producing a policy briefing or contributing to a longer report
  • Participating in a policy inquiry
  • Assisting with the organisation of a science policy event/workshop
  • And/or other related activities

Number of awards

Up to 18 placements are available this round.

Successful applicants will receive a 3-month extension to their PhD funding as well as travel and accommodation costs for those who live outside reasonable commuting distance.

Eligibility

Open to all BBSRC-funded postgraduate students registered for a PhD, who will be engaged in their penultimate or final funded year of study during the 2012-13 academic year. Placements must start before the end of the funded period.

How to apply

The application deadline was 14 September 2012 and the call is now closed.

Placements are awarded competitively.

For additional information please see the guidance notes below or make a request (please see contact details below).

Downloads

Assessment

Assessment is via a two-stage process:

  1. Written applications: Applicants who are successful at this stage will then be invited to stage two
  2. Interview day: Took place in November 2012

Case study

Catriona Manville

Catriona Manville

Fresh from finishing her PhD, Catriona Manville recently completed a three-month policy placement in the British Library’s Science team.

During her placement, Catriona was responsible for organising TalkScience, a quarterly event run by the British Library, which brought together the different perspectives from across the research community to debate the impact agenda.

After working in an academic lab at Newcastle University, Catriona found her three months were packed full of new experiences. During her time at the British Library, Catriona interviewed some big names from academia and learned societies, wrote an article for the Cheltenham Science Festival, spent two days in Parliament and organised the whole TalkScience event from defining the scope of the topic and deciding on speakers to designing and marketing the event.

Catriona said: "This placement provided an invaluable opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the science landscape beyond academia and to fully appreciate the opportunities available to me to use my skills in a variety of contexts. My work at the Library also allowed me to clearly demonstrate I have the skills that future employers require."

Catriona has since secured a permanent position at a Cambridge-based contract research house, working as an analyst in their innovation and technology policy team. Catriona is delighted with her new job and said: "Working at the British Library, as part of the BBSRC-funded policy placement scheme, gave me confidence to apply for this appointment."

Catriona Manville with the panel of speakers she arranged as part of her Talkscience event looking at the ‘impact agenda’. Image: British Library/Catriona Manville

Catriona Manville with the panel of speakers she arranged as part of her Talkscience event looking at the 'impact agenda'. Image: British Library/Catriona Manville

Contact


tel: 01793 411489