Category: Career Opportunities, Internships & Volunteering

GTA opportunity – Django development and deployment for Feedback Loop (apply by 15 Oct)

We are seeking one or two PhD students from the Department of Computing and/or the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering to help complete and evaluate Feedback Loop, a web application that supports GTAs and course leads in improving student feedback. This is a paid, part-time opportunity to develop an existing application and contribute to an education project using large language models (LLMs).

Appointment details

Duration: An agreed period ending no later than 31 July 2027.

Hours: Flexible part-time hours to be agreed within the project budget, with a maximum of 20 hours per week per student, including any other GTA work.

Pay: Tier 1 £20.84 per hour plus £2.52 holiday pay (£23.36 total), or Tier 2 £25.35 plus £3.06 holiday pay (£28.41 total), subject to confirmation of the appropriate appointment category and tier.

The project

The project, Transforming GTA Feedback with LLMs: Improving Clarity, Consistency, and Actionability at Scale, aims to make feedback clearer, more actionable and aligned with assessment rubrics. Feedback Loop already provides course and assignment management, marking workflows, grade moderation and CSV export. The LLM integration and production deployment remain to be completed. Academic staff and markers retain responsibility for assessment decisions and final feedback.

Main responsibilities

  • Take over the existing Python and Django codebase, review the documentation and agree priorities with the project team.
  • Implement LLM API integration and prompts for feedback improvement and moderation, using assignment specifications and rubrics while preserving human review.
  • Prepare and deploy the application on a Linux server, including production configuration, database arrangements, static and uploaded files, logging and backups.
  • Work with relevant College teams on authentication and single sign-on, and on VLE integration or suitable data exchange where agreed.
  • Test permissions, marking workflows and AI outputs; improve the interface; support a pilot with GTAs and teaching staff; document deployment, maintenance and handover.

Essential skills and experience

  • Current PhD student with availability for an agreed part-time commitment through the appointment period.
  • Practical Python and Django experience, including models, forms, views, templates and authentication; ability to understand and extend an existing codebase.
  • Experience deploying web applications on Linux, using the command line, managing dependencies and configuring production services.
  • Experience integrating APIs, handling JSON responses, errors and credentials securely.
  • Working knowledge of relational databases, SQL and Django ORM migrations, plus HTML, CSS and JavaScript for interface changes.
  • Git version control, debugging and automated testing, with attention to permissions and secure handling of student assessment data.
  • Ability to work independently, communicate progress clearly and produce useful technical documentation.

Desirable skills and experience

  • LLM API integration, prompt design and evaluation of AI outputs for accuracy, usefulness, bias and unsupported claims.
  • Production Django hosting with tools such as Nginx and Gunicorn, PostgreSQL, HTTPS and service management.
  • Single sign-on integration using OpenID Connect, OAuth or SAML, and experience with Canvas or other virtual learning environment APIs.
  • Extraction of text from assignment specifications and rubrics in PDF or Word formats.
  • GTA marking experience, assessment and feedback practice, accessibility, user testing or qualitative evaluation.

How to apply

Please send a short CV and a brief statement outlining your relevant experience, your availability and preferred weekly hours. Include links to relevant code or projects where available, and explain your contribution to any team projects.

Contact: Dr Zohaib Akhtar, Dr Iro Ntonia
Applications to: z.akhtar@imperial.ac.uk, i.ntonia@imperial.ac.uk
Closing date: 15-10-2026

Become an ECRI Programme Partner (Deadline 30 October)

The Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) is pleased to introduce the Early Career Researchers as Partners initiative, which gives Doctoral students, Postdocs and Fellows from across Imperial the opportunity to engage with our Learning and Development provision and shape its design and delivery.

What is in it for you?

As an EPP, you can:

  • Develop leadership, communication and influencing skills
  • Gain experience in programme development and delivery
  • Build your network with researchers and colleagues across Imperial
  • Shape development opportunities for your peers and have your voice heard
  • Build evidence of your wider contributions and impact that you can use to give concrete examples for future lectureship, fellowship and other academic applications, including narrative CVs

You don’t need to be an expert in learning and development. Your experience as an ECR is what makes your perspective valuable.

If there is a programme that particularly interests you, we would love to hear from you.

For more information on the application, please see our Eligibility & How to Apply page. The deadline to submit applications is Friday 30th October at 5pm.

Invitation to Participate in REF 2029 Equality Impact Assessment Focus Group – 22 October 2026

Background
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a UK-wide exercise assessing research quality across higher education institutions. The next REF will take place in 2029, and Imperial is committed to ensuring our processes for preparing our submission are fair, transparent and inclusive.

This is a crucial activity for Imperial as the outcome of REF directly influences the funding we receive from Research England. Since 2022, Imperial has received £50-60m per year because of our excellent performance in REF 2021.

Why Your Input Matters

The University’s REF 2029 Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) aim to demonstrate and monitor Imperial’s commitment to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in a robust and transparent manner. Your contributions will inform our interim EIA at this important stage in the REF cycle.

Focus Group

We are seeking up to 15 individuals from across Imperial who collectively represent the diversity of our community to attend a one-hour focus group.

During the session you will have the opportunity to:

  • Contribute to making sure REF processes are as inclusive and equitable as possible.
  • Identify potential positive and negative equality impacts of REF processes.
  • Share insights that will inform our interim EIA.

The session will be co-facilitated by the central REF team and the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre (EDIC).

Details

  • Date: Thursday 22nd October 2026 13:30-14:30
  • Format: 60 minute facilitated online session.
  • Who should attend: Imperial staff members who can provide insight into equality, diversity and inclusion considerations. We are particularly interested in hearing from Research staff at the grades: Research Associate, Research Fellow and Advanced Research Fellow. No prior knowledge of REF is required.

How to Attend
Please complete our registration form and you will be sent a Teams meeting invite. We aim to bring together a group that reflects a broad range of perspectives and experiences across Imperial.

If you have any questions, please contact the central REF team at ref.team@imperial.ac.uk.

Your contribution will help shape a fair and transparent process for REF 2029 and ensure Imperial continues to lead in research excellence while upholding our strong commitment to EDI.

StudentShapers project for PG students (deadline: 07 Oct)

Applications are now open for an international programmes/opportunities StudentShapers project which seeks to embed sustainability in international opportunities at Imperial. Deadline: 7th October 11am.

Applicants should have an interest in sustainability and international opportunities/travel. The project team for this StudentShapers project will be Beth Yates in the International Relations Office (lead staff partner) and 4 student partners (UG and PG) with input from the Sustainability Hub and other relevant staff teams.

Link to Current StudentShapers projects – scroll down to ‘Cross-Faculty/International Relations Office: Embedding Sustainability in International Mobility – Deadline: 7th October’

Full advert PDF:  imperial.ac.uk/media-access/internal/?folder=current-students/studentshapers/internal/recruitment-ads&filename=Embedding-sustainability-ad.pdf

 

Outreach opportunity: Church Street Library in Westminster (10 Oct)

Church Street Library in Westminster have asked if a small team or students/ researchers from Imperial  could run an activity that is either arts and crafts/ discovery/ recycled creations/ interactive learning for 6 – 11 year olds on Sat 10 Oct from 2 – 4pm. All ideas welcome. It could be a chance to re-run an activity that you held at the Great Exhibition Road Festival or to try out an activity you are developing.

For more info please contact Linsey Wynton l.wynton@imperial.ac.uk in the Grantham Institute’s outreach team and I will connect you to the librarian.

Royal Society Funding Opportunities – Autumn 2026

Royal Society funding opportunities

The Faraday Discovery Fellowships (mid-career research leaders) – Stage 1 are prestigious long-term awards that will support the most talented mid-career research leaders to undertake high-quality, original research. The programme is aimed at outstanding mid-career STEM researchers and will provide grants of up to £8m over a ten-year period to support the development of world-leading research groups in the UK. Closing 22 September 2026.

International Exchanges are for scientists based in the UK who want to stimulate new research collaborations with leading scientists overseas through either a one-off visit or bilateral travel. Closing 24 September 2026.

Short Industry Fellowships are part of the Royal Society’s Industry programme, enabling scientists employed in industry or academia and/or their postdoctoral researcher to have shorter, more dynamic engagements between academia and industry, working on a mutually beneficial and collaborative project. Closing 7 October 2026.

The Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowship scheme offers a recognised first step into an independent research career for outstanding early career scientists who require a flexible working pattern due to personal circumstances, such as caring responsibilities and/or health-related conditions. Closing 29 October 2026.

Opening soon 

The Career Development Fellowship scheme provides the most talented early career scientists from underrepresented groups in STEM with research funding and high-quality training opportunities to build a strong base for a successful research career. Join the applicant webinar on 6 October, details available on the webpage. Opening 22 September 2026.

Become a Sustainable Imperial Student Ambassador 

Get recognised for the extra-curricular sustainability-related activities you get involved in!

  • Boost your sustainability knowledge and network with peers
  • Develop practical skills that support your employability
  • Help make a positive change at Imperial and beyond
  • Celebrate at the end of year awards ceremony

Learn more and register via the Sustainable Imperial Student Ambassadors webpage.

Join the online information session on Monday 5 October, 17:00-18:00 to discover more about the scheme.

Harvard Innovation Labs Stealth Startup Internship & Full Time Opportunities

Harvard Innovation Labs Stealth Startup
Internships & Full-Time Opportunities

Overview:
A Harvard Innovation Labs stealth startup is offering paid (1) Research, (2) Business Development, (3) Computational Biology, (4) Software Engineering, (5) Operations, (6) Campus Ambassador, (7) Executive Assistant, and (8) Chief of Staff internship and full-time opportunities to PhD, MD, MS and exceptional undergraduate students, clinical trainees and recent graduates.

Further Information:
(1) Researchers will focus on experimental design and execution, patent drafting, scientific assessment of proteins and pathways of interest, conducting literature reviews and prioritizing targets and assets. (2) Business Development team members will partake in activities related to funding and partnerships, including preparing materials and analyses for government, academic, philanthropic and venture-based grants as well as due diligence. (3) Computational Biologists will design and implement efficient algorithms to analyze high-dimensional biological datasets and advance data curation efforts. (4) Software Engineers will develop, maintain, and optimize applications and tools to advance research and business objectives. (5) Operations team members will support various functional aspects of the company, executing core business objectives, streamlining processes and supporting organizational efficiency. (6) Campus Ambassadors will spearhead campus engagement efforts and support recruiting initiatives through strategic outreach, relationship building and promotion. (7) Executive Assistants will provide administrative assistance to the CEO and senior executives, managing appointments and maintaining accurate records and documentation. A (8) Chief of Staff will work closely with the CEO to drive strategic priorities, coordinate cross-functional initiatives, manage key projects and communications, and ensure organisational alignment and execution across the company.

The positions offer a great opportunity to get hands-on experience in biotech company building and drug discovery. Interns and full-time hires will be provided with a highly competitive salary, equity and the option to work remotely. Full-time hires will be provided with a generous benefits package, including healthcare and paid time off. Internship positions will require approximately 5-10 hours of work per week for a duration of 3 months, with an option for extension and promotion for exceptional performers.

Qualifications/Requirements:
• Must be a graduate student (PhD, MD, MS), outstanding undergraduate student, clinical trainee or recent graduate at or from a top institution; prior work or research experience is preferred.
• Strong scientific or business acumen and curiosity, with the ability to navigate or support the advancement of biomedical fields including gene therapy and molecular and cell biology. A basic understanding of the drug discovery process is helpful, but not required.
• Excellent communication and writing skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel. Resourceful, proactive, independent and able to function at a high level with intermittent supervision, possessing meticulous attention to detail and organisation.
• For Computational Biologists: Proficiency with algorithm development and statistical analysis.
• For Software Engineers: Facility in developing and deploying complex software applications.

About the Company:
The company is developing a novel therapeutics platform for an array of monogenic and common diseases. Work to date has been funded by the Harvard Innovation Labs, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Francis Crick Institute, Innovate UK, the European Partnership for Personalised Medicine and a number of U.S. venture capital funds, including Pillar VC, BlueYard Capital and Harvard’s Allston Venture Fund, a venture collective of Bain Capital, General Catalyst, Polaris Partners, Highland Capital, Underscore VC and GETTYLAB.

Application Submission:
All applicants should use the following link to apply:
https://form.typeform.com/to/neHqe4I2?r=im

5050 Company Creation Programme for Researchers

Last call: Applications are open for 5050

A free, part-time company-creation programme for researchers, powered by the UK government’s ARIA (the Advanced Research and Invention Agency, allocated £1 billion in the April 2025 spending review), built to help scientists and engineers tackle big problems.

Part-time. Bolts alongside existing research commitments. No idea or existing company required.

Through 5050, 115 scientists and engineers have founded impact-oriented startups, with a 96% seed raise success rate.

Alumni consistently share that it’s the best use of their time. Hear more from them.

Researchers get mentorship from mission-oriented founders like Scott Phoenix (raised $250M for Vicarious, acquired by Alphabet) and Sir Tony Kouzarides (co-founded Storm, Chroma and Abcam, sold for $5.7B).

5050 is run by the team who’ve supported 135 impactful companies to raise $6B.

Designed for scientists and engineers — you’d be a good fit if:

  • You’re exploring how to turn your research into a company
  • You’re ready and excited to build something outside your current work
  • You’re not sure if now’s the right time, but you’re keen to have a real-world impact

Applications are open for the September–December cohort here!

Know someone who could be great? Recommend them here 😊

Get involved at Imperial Lates 2026-27

Imperial Lates are returning this autumn with three exciting new themes. These fun and free post-work events are a great night out, as well as a fantastic opportunity for Imperial staff and students to get experience in public engagement in a laid-back setting.

Whether you’re a seasoned Public Engagement expert or have never taken your work outside the lab, the Lates team wants to hear from you! Fully developed activities or initial ideas are equally welcome, and the team can help you to develop your proposition into a talk, exhibit or workshop.

Please complete the open call Qualtrics form to register your interest, and if you have any questions about the ideas submission process, please get in touch via email (lates@imperial.ac.uk)

This year’s themes are:

  1. Robots (29 October 2026) – we are looking for any research or projects related to robots, tech or automation. We are also open to some ideas about AI and machine learning. To be considered please submit your idea as soon as possible, and definitely by 25 August 2026 (17:00).
  2. African Science (3 December 2026) – This event will celebrate research collaborations across the African continent and showcase how research and innovation projects involving Imperial teams creating impact on the ground. To be considered, please submit your proposal as soon as possible, and no later than 5 October 2026 (17:00).
  3. Staying Connected (28 Jan 2027) – we would be interested in research projects looking at any aspect that helps improve the ability to stay connected in the modern day – anything from satellites, telecommunications, attraction, networks, internet, social media, social isolation, policies around remote working, digital inclusions or activities that support networking and building connections. This event may also have links to Valentines Day and/or LGBTQ+ History Month. Please submit your idea by 17 November 2026 (17:00).

If none of these quite fit with your area of expertise, you can still get involved as a volunteer! Volunteers keep everything running smoothly and can have a go at several roles, such as welcoming guests, supporting researchers or artists taking part in a workshop or talk or capturing social media content for Imperial channels. If you are an Imperial staff member or student interested in volunteering at Imperial Lates, you can sign up to the volunteer portal to be notified when shifts open.