12 weeks PIPS project 2025: Science Communication – STEM education
The ABPI exists to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use new medicines. They represent companies of all sizes who invest in discovering the medicines of the future.
Their members supply cutting edge treatments that improve and save the lives of millions of people. They work in partnership with Government and the NHS so patients can get new treatments faster and the NHS can plan how much it spends on medicines. Every day, they partner with organisations in the life sciences community and beyond to transform lives across the UK.
As part of ABPI’s work to communicate on the discovery, development, regulation and manufacture of medicines, they have an award-winning Resources for Schools website (https://www.abpischools.org.uk/) with interactive content and animations to support science teaching and learning for teachers and young people. The resources are in line with the curriculum, and many of them link topics studied in school to their application in industry and research. All the resources link science topics covered in school to the world outside and, particularly, to the treatment of disease.
Project offered
The ABPI is offering an exciting opportunity for a PIPS student to apply bioscience knowledge in a science communication context.
The ABPI dedicated website for schools aims to support teachers and students drive long term achievement and attainment in STEM subjects.
In 2023 the ABPI reflected a commitment to support STEM education at all levels through the development of resources to promote learning and engagement through illustrated stories across key stage 1 & 2. The creative story-telling journey of Ellie and friends has taken the ABPI schools offering in an exciting new direction for engaging audiences. In 2024, the stories, use of Ellie and associated characters was rolled out in further contexts, including the development and launch of vacation packs, Instagram reels and early careers content.
This 12 week project centres around the student conducting online research, liaising with subject experts or other external stakeholders as appropriate, training on use of in-house software for content creation, and drawing on the student’s own creativity and knowledge to produce written and interactive content focused on engaging primary children and supporting teachers.
The output of the project is expected to include:
- An overall review of existing primary ‘Ellie’ content, identifying linked activities and support for teachers to use the content effectively
- Production of new resources linking to existing stories based on the above review, alongside scope to produce a suite of Ellie resources for an, as yet, uncovered STEM topic area
- Content will be packaged for use on the ABPI award-winning schools’ website
The student will be working within the Education & Examinations team and will liaise with colleagues across ABPI and within their member companies as required. Where there are opportunities for attendance at internal meetings or with pharmaceutical site companies, the student will be able to take advantage of these, alongside any other opportunities to build a personal network.
The successful applicant can expect to have a supervisor who would meet regularly for guidance and support.
Timing
The exact timing can be confirmed with the successful applicant, though we would ideally expect this to be undertaken with a start date in Q2/Q3 2025, though this can be negotiable for the right candidate. The project is anticipated to run for 12 weeks. This is a contract for Monday to Friday 9-5pm, with a one hour lunch break.
Location
The ABPI have offices at 2nd Floor Goldings House, Hay’s Galleria, 2 Hay’s Lane, London, SE1 2HB, and currently adopt hybrid working – the exact number of days in the office/working remotely can be negotiable for the right candidate, so do not let location dissuade you from applying. All IT equipment required to undertake the project can be supplied to you.
Benefits to student undertaking this project
This project is a great opportunity to gain and develop science communication experience, with similar projects in the past having provided opportunities to develop contacts which could be helpful to someone considering a future career in industry. The successful applicant can be expected to be treated as a member of the ABPI Education & Examinations Team that sits within the wider Medical Affairs Directorate, and as such, will benefit from professional development, cross functional working, interaction with wider stakeholders and an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the pharmaceutical industry.
Funding
ABPI reimburse modest travel expenses when travelling to the London offices. If during the project you are invited to, and accept, an external visit, travel expenses and reasonable lunch expenses will be fully reimbursed.
Applications
A CV and covering letter should be sent to Andrew Croydon, Education & Examinations Policy and Partnerships Director, ABPI (acroydon@abpi.org.uk), before Monday 24th February 2025. Should you have any questions prior to applying, please do not hesitate to be in contact.