Experiential learning comes in many types and forms, and can range from a few days to a few months, or even years. ADR UK is working to create a repository of placement, internship, and fellowship opportunities relevant to the ever-expanding community of administrative data users and researchers.
Please note that we expect to update this webpage as and when new opportunities arise. Those looking for opportunities are advised to sign up to our regular newsletter for new postings.
Working with ADR UK
If you would like to work with ADR UK to provide an opportunity or have any questions, please get in touch: hub@adruk.org.
Posting on our website is free! The information we will need to post your opportunity will be:
- Organisation
- What type of opportunity is this?
- Duration
- Desired start date
- Opportunity topic (e.g. Education, Health)
- Who is this opportunity suitable for?
- Compensation
- How to apply - including any relevant information on what the application process involves.
Placement opportunities for PhD students
Undertaking a high-quality placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations will give you the opportunity to develop transferable skills and apply your research skills in different contexts.
Below are some examples of PhD placement opportunities you may consider as part of your PhD programme. Please contact the organisations listed below directly with any questions you may have.
All ADR UK-funded PhD students have funding provided for a maximum three-month placement. Further guidance on placements can be found in the ESRC Postgraduate Training and Development Guidelines 2022.
UKRI Policy Internships scheme
Duration: Three months
Important dates: Check the website for recruitment dates
Opportunity topic: The UKRI Policy Internships scheme provides an opportunity for UKRI-funded doctoral students to undertake a three-month placement at one of a selected group of influential policy organisations.
HM Government’s Open Innovation Team: PhD Placement Scheme
Duration: Minimum of three months
Important dates: Run all year, with two recruitment rounds in June and October
Opportunity topic: The Open Innovation Team is a cross-government unit that works on a wide range of policies, including health, justice, education, housing, foreign policy, digital transformation and many others. Successful applicants can expect to work on a diverse range of policy projects and are not expected to have prior experience of policy or knowledge of the policy area they are asked to work on.
Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology PhD fellowship scheme
Duration: Typically three months
Important dates: Fellowship scheme involves multiple learned societies, professional associations, and funding bodies with different recruitment dates
Opportunity topic: You will not choose what topic you will be working on. Often fellows are allocated a topic in a field that is entirely new to them. They have the opportunity to delve into novel and exciting areas of research, develop a unique understanding of the UK Parliament, and forge relationships with key stakeholders.
British Library PhD Placement Scheme
Duration: Three months (or part time equivalent)
Important dates: Annual call for applications - contact pgr@bl.uk to be added to mailing list
Opportunity topic: The broad scope and areas of the PhD placement projects are set in advance by the British Library. A project profile for each placement lists the expected tasks and outcomes, the training and experience offered to the student, and any required knowledge or skills. All projects provide scope for students to define areas of focus depending on their own interests and include a range of opportunities for professional and personal development.
Do you have a placement opportunity that you think would be suitable for ESRC-funded PhD students?
1. Read the ESRC Placement Guidance Document carefully to understand our requirements.
Note: Placements must comprise a clear programme of activity or project which will develop the students’ transferrable skills and ability to apply their research skills in different contexts. Placements should not be used as a substitute for temporary staff or to cover business as usual within a host organisation. Placements should focus on a discreet project, challenge or research question which will enable students to build on the skills being acquired through their doctoral studies.
2. Complete and return the Placement Opportunity Template to ADRStudentships@esrc.ukri.org.
3. ADR UK will review the form and be in touch if we have any questions. If suitable, we will post your opportunity on our internships and placements page. We typically allow a minimum of 3 weeks for a placement to be advertised - but the longer the notice, the better!
4. Students will directly apply to you (using the contact information you provide in the template).
Note: Student applications must be accompanied by a completed Placement funding permission form. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure their supervisor and Doctoral Training Partnership have approved their application prior to submission.
5. Notify us once you have successfully filled your placement post.
Are you an ESRC-funded PhD student interested in applying to a placement opportunity advertised on our website?
1. Complete a Placement funding permission form. This form must be completed and approved by (1) your primary supervisor, and (2) your DTP contact.
2. Submit a completed application package directly to the host organisation according to the requirements set out under “how to apply” section of the post. Include your completed permission form (from 1 above) as part of your application package.
UKRI: Developing people and skills
Whether you’re just starting out or a more established researcher looking to take the next step, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has a number of opportunities to support you to develop a career in research, including studentships, doctoral training and fellowships. Visit Developing people and skills – UKRI to find out more.
