Category: Career Opportunities, Internships & Volunteering

PhD internship opportunities at the Royal Institution (apply by 13 July)

We’re inviting PhD students whose funding permits 3-month work placements to join our teams working on Christmas Lectures, family programmes, digital content production and inspiring school-age students.

Details about roles and eligibility here: https://www.rigb.org/about-us/work-with-us

Insights from previous PhD interns:

https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/hear-our-phd-interns

https://www.rigb.org/explore-science/explore/blog/my-experience-intern-ri

Any queries, contact recruitment@ri.ac.uk

Closing Date: 13th July 2026

 

Internship for Sustainability Hub (apply by 5th July)

We are recruiting a Masters/ PhD Internship to support the Sustainability Hub with improving our procurement emissions data and analysis.

The intern will work with procurement and third-party datasets, help collect and assess supplier data and support the development of our emissions methodologies. This is a good opportunity for a student with strong analytical skills and an interest in sustainability.

Find out more & Apply

Applications close on 05 July 2026

 

STEM Horizons Teacher of Computer Science (Part time) – Closing date 15 June 2026

Oundle School is seeking an exceptional STEM Horizons Teacher of Computer Science to develop and inspire our pupils and be part of our vibrant School community. In return for your dedication and expertise, you can expect to be highly valued and offered further development and support throughout your career. Oundle is a full boarding school with extensive opportunities beyond the curriculum. The role of a teacher usually involves two thirds teaching, with the remaining time split between tutoring and co-curricular activities. We always do our best to match your interests and experience with your commitments.

Should you be successful you will be required to carry out the general professional duties of a school teacher under the reasonable direction of the Head and to perform such particular duties that from time to time which may reasonably be assigned you by the Head. You would teach approximately 42 periods per fortnight in addition to committing to contribute to the co-curricular life and pastoral support provided by the School.

This role will involve teaching in a number of partner state schools, including schools that are part of the OPEN Learning Partnership, of which Imperial is a member.

For more information and to apply, please see the role on the Oundle School website – STEM Horizons Teacher of Computer Science (Part time)

Mentors wanted for Activate Mentoring Programme (apply by 30 June)

We’re now recruiting mentors for the Activate Mentoring Programme part of the Early Career Researcher Institute for the 2026/27 academic year.

The programme is open to Imperial staff, alumni, and PhD students who would enjoy supporting others by sharing their experiences—we’d love to hear from you. It’s a rewarding opportunity to connect, build your mentoring skills, and be part of a supportive community.

Training is provided to help you develop your mentoring practice, and PhD student mentors are paid at GTA rates. The commitment is six meetings with a mentee between November 2026 and June 2027.

Find out more

Applications are now open. The closing date is 30 June 2026.

Dame Julia Higgins Collaborative Research Fund Now Open

ECRI are delighted to announce that the 2026 call for the Dame Julia Higgins Postdoc Collaborative Research Fund is now open for Imperial postdocs!

Building on the success of the previous Engineering Postdoc Collaborative Research funding rounds, the Faculty of Engineering Research Committee as well as Faculty of Medicine Departments are delighted to announce a joint funding opportunity for postdocs.

This fund was introduced to give postdocs at the Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Medicine the opportunity to apply for and be awarded their own research funding, develop and deliver a collaborative research project, and take a step towards becoming independent from the research of their PI.

The fund promotes collaboration between postdocs in the Faculties of Engineering and Medicine, whereby funding applications submitted must involve a minimum of two postdocs from different departments. To facilitate the interaction between the departments, networking events precede the proposal deadline. To register your interest, please complete the initial expression of interest form.

Key Dates  

Expression of Interest & Registration Deadline: 

  • 12:00 on 31 May 2026

Networking events:

  • Live (in person) Thursday 04 June 15:00-17:00
  • Live (online via Zoom) Tuesday 09 June 12:30-14:00

Application deadline: 

  • 12:00 on Tuesday 23 June 2026

Assessment panel: 

  • 24 July 2026

Successful applicants will be notified at the start of August, and all spending and final reports are due by 31 July 2027.

2 Year AI in Science Fellowships, supported by Schmidt Sciences

About the role:

Applications are invited for prestigious Eric and Wendy Schmidt AI in Science Fellowships, a program of Schmidt Sciences, commencing 1 September 2027.

  • Up to six 2-year independent Eric and Wendy Schmidt fellowships dedicated to AI in Science in a program supported by Schmidt Sciences. Further details here (Research Associate level) & here (Research Fellow level)
  • Up to two 2-year independent Chapman-Schmidt fellowships dedicated to AI in Science in a program supported by Schmidt Sciences. Further details here

What you would be doing:

The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Ai in Science Fellows will produce independent and original research, using AI to advance science within their host department and the I-X Centre for AI in Science. These fellowships have the aim of identifying excellent researchers and accelerating them in using AI to advance and disrupt Science or Engineering. Here ‘AI’ is interpreted very broadly, e.g.: topics in Bayesian Inference and Robotics; ‘Science’ covers any typical topic in Natural Science and Engineering (Epidemiology, Biology and basic science in biomedicine are included but clinical medical themes are not covered, including conventional medical imaging). Examples include Bayesian optimization for molecular or materials design; machine learning for single cell data; physics-based ML for turbine design and astrostatistics. These posts are not suitable for generic AI research with general application: candidates must be aiming to substantially advance a particular area of science. Applicants could view themselves as AI researchers tackling particular pieces of science or science researchers using AI to transform their area. Extensive AI knowledge is not required, and AI training is offered.

What we are looking for:

Candidates will:

  • Hold, or be near completion of, a PhD (or equivalent) in an appropriate discipline.
  • Have the potential for leadership qualities in the subject, as illustrated, for example, through showing initiative on research projects.
  • Have an outstanding research record commensurate with their level of experience as demonstrated, for example, through an outstanding thesis, publications, conference presentations, code etc.
  • Have a proposal which is within the AI in Science research remit and skills which fit the cohort of AI in Science fellows.
  • For the RF positions candidates will be expected to have several years of experience post-PhD (in research or AI-based industry) and experience supervising team members

 

What we can offer you:

Fellows will join the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Network of researchers and will join a unique co-located cohort of top scholars based in the I-X Centre for AI in Science with tailored training and one-on-one career development. The fellowships are flexible and independent, allowing recipients to freely explore while drawing on expert faculty mentors of their choice.

We have a programme of additional support for women in AI in Science including a coaching circle for women in AI, additional funds for their career development and a community of I-X AI in Science women. The I-X Women in Artificial Intelligence (IXWAI) founded by two of our current Fellows aims to enhance representation of women in AI and foster an environment where they are valued, supported and inspired to achieve their full potential. We expect to appoint at least one candidate through this route.

Further Information

These are full time, fixed term position for 2 years. You will be based at White City Campus.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as a Research Assistant.

If you have any queries about these opportunities, please contact Eileen Boyce at e.boyce@imperial.ac.uk

Joint Fellowships

We have partnered with the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and the CNRS. If you are applying for one of these joint fellowships, we require that the principal mentor be in Imperial, but a secondary supervisor must be at ICR/CNRS. Please indicate if this is a joint fellowship by ticking the appropriate ICR/CNRS tick box in the online application form. Please note that these applications will require an institutional letter of support and ICR and CNRS will have their own internal process with a deadline ahead of the closing date below. The ICR deadline will be Monday 29th June at 9am. You must contact Becky Cook (rebecca.cook@icr.ac.uk) at ICR and Carl Iamov carl.ialamov@cnrs.fr and/or Louis Avigdor louis.avigdor@cnrs-dir.fr at CNRS to confirm these internal processes and deadlines

Imperial Research Fellowship Scheme Applications Open (Deadline 23 July)

Overview

The IRF scheme is designed for outstanding early career researchers looking for an opportunity to focus on research and establish scientific independence, making the leap from a post-doctoral researcher to permanent lecturer. IRFs receive a four-year fellowship which includes:

  • A competitive salary
  • A contribution toward research and travel costs (up to £45,000)
  • Personal mentoring support from a senior Imperial member of academic staff (sponsor)
  • Focused career support, training courses and development opportunities from Imperial’s Early Career Researcher Institute
  • The chance to take full responsibility for setting and directing their own research agenda and career trajectory, with no obligatory teaching, and with the possibility of spending up to twelve months visiting other research institutions and/or in industry.

Key features for applicants

  • Candidates are expected to be a maximum of PhD + 5 years (counted from PhD award date to proposed fellowship start date)
  • Proposals will be considered in all research areas active within participating departments at Imperial
  • Applicants can be UK nationals or international candidates and internal or external to Imperial

Closing date: Thursday 23 July 2026 (internal departmental deadlines will vary)

Full details are available at: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/research-office/funder-information/research-fellowships/irf/

Cancer Research UK: Bridge to Academic Leadership Programme (Deadline 23 June)

Develop the skills, confidence and network to lead your own research team and build an application for a £25k award to develop your research niche.

The Cancer Research UK Bridge to Academic Leadership programme returns this autumn, supporting postdocs to take the next steps toward becoming independent group leaders in cancer.

The programme is open to non-clinical postdocs based at any UK institution, regardless of your funding source.

Across a blend of online and in-person sessions, you’ll strengthen your ability to generate and pitch your research ideas, improve your grant-writing skills and learn how to lead and manage a research team effectively in an academic environment.

Applications are particularly welcomed from researchers from ethnic minority backgrounds, women, non-binary researchers and researchers who are disabled or living with a long‑term condition. Places will be allocated on a competitive basis. Diversity information will be used to prioritise researchers who fall into groups underrepresented among our fellowship applicants.

Applications close 23 June

Full details on eligibility and a link to apply:

https://cruk.ink/42ccBG3

Human–AI Collaboration and Systems Design Contributor

We’re looking for an experienced contributor to join the Executive Education programme Transforming Business with AI, running from 13–17 July. This person would support a small number of afternoon sessions during the week, bringing practical insight into how AI systems are designed, adopted, and used in real organisational settings.

We’re looking for someone who brings together strong academic foundations with hands‑on experience working with businesses and executive audiences.

What we’re looking for:

  • PhD‑level training (or equivalent experience) in Information Systems, Human–AI Collaboration, or a related field
  • Practical experience designing and implementing AI solutions that address both technical and organisational challenges
  • Hands‑on work with SMEs on applied AI projects, including:
    • Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG)
    • Data chunking and structuring
    • Tools such as LangChain, knowledge graphs, and related frameworks
    • Previous involvement in executive education, leadership programmes, or senior‑level workshops

For more information about the programme, please contact:
Mariana Gamba Fadul, Senior Learning Design Manager

For information about rates and logistics, please contact:
Toni McCloggan, Client Relationship Manager – Open and Custom Programmes

STEP UP Digital Research Technical Career and Bridging Placements

STEP‑UP invites applications for 1–3 month funded placements that develop specialist skills in research software, data, and computing infrastructure. Participants will work within a digital Research Technical Professional (dRTP) team at Imperial College London, King’s College London, UCL, or the University of Westminster.

STEP-UP – a Strategic TEchnical Platform for University technical Professionals – is a UK-based research project funded under the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)’s 2023 Strategic Technical Platforms call.

What you gain

  • Build advanced technical and professional skills.
  • Exchange best practices across institutions.
  • Use placement time to bridge gaps between projects.
  • Strengthen future career opportunities.

You can apply if you are:

  • A dRTP (i.e. working on research software, data or computing infrastructure) in any role at one of the four STEP‑UP partner institutions, or
  • A UK‑based PhD student or postdoc seeking experience as a dRTP and not employed during the placement.

All placements must occur within a partner‑institution dRTP team.

Funding

STEP‑UP provides up to £15,550, covering 80% of salary and on‑costs, plus eligible fees such as visa or bench costs. (Overheads and indirect costs are excluded.)

If you want to grow your technical capability and collaborate across the London dRTP community, this scheme offers a high‑impact route to do so.

Find out more and apply: https://step-up.ac.uk/placements/