UYSC Engagement Intern

JOB DESCRIPTION AND
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Internship Title: Urenco Young Scientist Centre (UYSC)
Science Engagement Intern
Date of Internship: (x2) 3 month placements (x 1) 2027 placement (dates to be confirmed)
(x 1) early September to early December 2027
Location: Albemarle St, London
Contract type: Three-month internships, full-time, (35 hour)
Salary: Payment by stipend from University/Research Council’s
Doctoral Training Programme. Please check funding before applying.
The role
Since 2009, the Urenco Young Scientist Centre (UYSC) at the Royal Institution (Ri) has been delivering a programme of inspiring science workshops to young people aged 7 to 18. Our 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 successful intern, you r main role will be to assist with the delivery of these workshops, interacting with the young people who attend. During the internship you will have the opportunity to build your confidence in presenting in an engaging educational environment, develop skills in a lab technician role, receive regular feedback and training in science communication and design content for use at in-person events and on Ri social media.
You will also have the opportunity to engage secondary aged students , who attend our workshops, with your PhD research.
Specific duties may include:
- Learning to present some of our current programme of hands-on science workshops to young people in the UYSC.
- Presenting a 10-minute talk of your PhD research to secondary schools , who attend workshops, with the aim of giving them a n opportunity to learn about current scientific research and to ask questions about being a researcher or studying science at university.
- Helping to prepare for each workshop with the rest of the UYSC team, including setting up equipment and cleaning up.
- Researching and developing science content for in-person events and for use online.
- Working with the UYSC team to develop content for post-workshop resources and new workshop ideas.
Who are we looking for?
This placement would be ideal for anyone interested in science education, education outreach, working with young people, and science communication. There is no need to have any prior experience in science communication or working with young people.
We are looking for applicants who are enthusiastic to get involved with the team, flexible, open-minded, and keen to learn new skills.
Practicalities: This opportunity is only 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). Please check with your university/DTP to ensure funding is available before applying for this internship.
As the position involves the opportunity to work with young people, the intern will be required to undergo an Enhanced DBS clearance and related checks as mandated by UK laws and regulations.
For more information about the Ri, the internship programme, relevant dates for this internship, and to download the monitoring form, please see our website at Work with us | Royal Institution (rigb.org)
Read a blog from one of our previous PhD interns here: My experience as an intern at the RI | Royal Institution