With another lockdown underway many of us have much less time in our labs than we would wish and it looks as though this could continue for some time! So, to help take people’s minds off of all the doom and gloom we’ve put together this list of popular science books for some escapism (or not, topic dependent, we take no responsibility if the escapism isn’t sufficient!). Whether you’re looking to read more in your own field or something totally new, I’m sure there’s something for everyone here. Please try and support your local bookstore where you can!
LAMP COVID testing York-Deadline: ASAP
An internship the new LAMP testing facility at the University of York is available for BBSRC White Rose DTP students. The placement will be 3 days a week for 12 weeks with a flexible start date.
What you will do
This internship will enable you to play a key part in the national effort in fighting Covid-19 by directly supporting the NHS in delivering a scaled-up and rapid testing service. The skills you will gain will look great on your CV: you will gain insight into the how clinical labs and industry interact to set up and deliver a critical service. Aspects of the placement may include logistics, administration, public engagement, as well as undertaking lab techniques. Although the post may have highly repetitive elements, the attention to detail throughout this placement will be critical.
What you will gain
Reproducibility in science is of central importance for medical research, and this experience will demonstrate your competence when applying for future positions. In addition, an opportunity to apply for and gain competency certification from GENQA and Joint Covid-19 Certificate of Completion from IBMS upon application and completing a competency based assessment.
How to apply
To apply, please email Sophie Thompson m.s.thompson@york.ac.uk with your name, your supervisors’ names, and what year you are currently. Indicate the dates you are available to start and any other details you think are relevant. Please copy Phil Lang phil.lang@york.ac.uk and your supervisors.
CambioScience – Deadline: rolling applications
Remote-working opportunity – Flexible deadline
Overview of CamBioScience
CamBioScience is the life sciences brand within OBRIZUM X, a division of the OBRIZUM GROUP LTD. CamBioScience is a premium global provider of education and educational technology founded in Cambridge by life science researchers from the University of Cambridge, UK. Working with world-leading experts we provide intensive training courses and conferences in a broad spectrum of emerging and established life science technologies for academic and industry professionals. In-Person courses and conferences take place in various locations around the world including the United Kingdom, Austria, South Korea, and China.
Contact
Michelle Ware
email: michelle@cambioscience.com
Tel: 07791481346
OBRIZUM GROUP LTD.
Unit 3 Duke’s Court
54-62 Newmarket Road,
Cambridge, UK
CB5 8DZ
Project Outline
Interns will be involved in self-guided training course development. Activities will include:
– Collating and arranging content for on-demand digital courses through our e-learning platform OBRIZUM®
– Writing material for the website, for marketing purposes and for social media
– Provide support with the promotion of the courses
– Designing questions for the course exams
– Hosting webinars
Essential Skills
– Scientific background
– Highly Organised
– Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written
– Excellent project management skills
– Ability to work in a team
Skills Developed
The student will gain a greater understanding for how scientific events are be run. By the end of their internship, they will be confident with all aspects of organising a technical life-sciences course. Key skills developed include: sales, marketing, organisation, time-keeping and project management.
How to apply
The starts dates available are flexible. Each placement will be 3 months (12 weeks). There is no deadline for applications. To apply, please send a CV and covering letter to: michelle@cambioscience.com
Until further notice, internships will take place remotely from home, with regular calls with the team.
Exploring the science behind everyday plants- Saffron
Some of the earliest flowers to appear in the new year are from the genus Crocus. With careful management these bulbs can flower from September all the way to April, making them a valuable source of pollen and nectar for bees waking up from hibernation.

Read moreExploring the science behind everyday plants- Saffron
AMRC-Research & Membership Intern – Deadline: 4 Jan21
The Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) is offering a PIPS working as a Research and Membership Intern. The placement will be undertaken virtually/working at home.
The closing date for applications is Monday 4th January 2021.
Download the flyer for more details and how to apply:
Sense About Science – Deadline: 31 Jan21
Background
Description of the internship
- Voice of Young Science: The opportunity to contribute to the organisation of a Voice of Young Science (VoYS) workshop and help to facilitate the event on the day. VoYS is a unique and dynamic network of early career researchers across Europe committed to playing an active role in public discussions about science. By responding to public misconceptions about science and evidence and engaging with the media, policymakers and the public, this active community of 3,000+ researchers is changing the way the public and the media view science and scientists. Members are trained to promote scientific questioning in society and take responsibility for improving the quality of discussion about research findings. Our Standing up for Science workshops equip researchers to engage with the public, journalists and policymakers – helping them to ask useful questions and put research findings and real-world events in context. Organising a workshop will give you the opportunity to develop organisational and communication skills and learn about effective public, policy and media engagement.
- Evidence Week in Parliament: Evidence Week is our flagship policy event where we bring together MPs, researchers and community groups to discuss the case that evidence matters to people. They share knowledge and insights that will help politicians to scrutinise evidence. The week involves events and briefings, as well as evidence stands that parliamentarians can visit. This is an amazing opportunity for anyone interested in evidence-based policymaking, as you will have the inside track into the organisation of Evidence Week. You will have opportunities to engage directly with MPs and policy advisers. In 2020, this event is going ahead as an online event in November. In 2021, you will work closely with the policy manager to organise Evidence Week, with the senior communications officer to deliver the communications programme around Evidence Week, and with the team to effectively deliver the events in the summer. It is an opportunity to develop organisational and communication skills.
- John Maddox Prize: The John Maddox Prize recognises the work of individuals who promote science and evidence, advancing the public discussion around difficult topics despite challenges or hostility. The prize is a joint initiative of Sense about Science and the leading international scientific journal Nature. The prize has been awarded annually since 2012 to researchers who have shown great courage and integrity in standing up for science and scientific reasoning against fierce opposition and hostility. Each year there is one winner, and an additional prize for an early career researcher. You will contribute towards compiling nominations and working with the team to shortlist nominations, ready for the judging to take place in the autumn. It is an opportunity to learn organisational and evaluation skills, and get to know the work of some amazing researchers around the world who are striving to stand up for science and evidence.
Essential skills
- Ability to identify and use initiative to solve problems
- Ability to organise and prioritise work
- A flair for clear, engaging writing
- Friendly manner
- Candidates should be familiar with and share the Sense about Science ethos regarding the public interest in sound science and evidence
Other details and how to apply
Contact
www.senseaboutscience.org | @senseaboutsci | Facebook
2 Stephen St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1AN | +44 (0)20 7490 9590
TTP – technology development – Deadline: by end Mar21
We are looking to host one or more interns between January and June 2021.
Download the flyer for more details – PIPS TTP PhD Internship 2020-flyer
Singer Instruments – rolling deadline
Singer are now looking to fulfill placements for 3 month periods from May 2020 onwards.
Note: There is a rolling deadline for applications. However, certain times of year are more competitive than others, and early application is suggested to avoid disappointment.
Project summary
The Research team aims to use Science! to achieve “A Responsibility to Science”. This means actively enquiring, and devising experiments that prove that our equipment facilitates, automates and accelerates scientific research – more so these experiments should be rigorous enough to reveal truth, free from investigator bias.
Project outline
Singer Instruments is a fast paced SME environment. As such projects are subject to change as
required by business need. Generally speaking, each project includes:
- Working with a robotic instrument to test its capabilities and investigate its restrictions.
Previous examples involve producing bioart with colony pickers, investigating the use of
fluorescent strains, and testing new detection algorithms. - Collaborating with Engineering and Software on numerous projects, gaining and consulting
with expertise. This has involved; coming up with hardware and software solutions to
problems, QC of brand new software packages and production spec machines and also
affecting the look, feel and function of new products. - A desk based research piece. This is usually heavily tied to new product development, and hence tends to be the most secretive. Previous examples have included market research, as well as investigating how scientists perform work, and how this may change in the future.
Essential skills
- An independent working style.
- A robust approach to reporting.
- Flexibility to sudden project changes based on business need.
- Adherence to non-disclosure agreements, as projects can include valuable prototypes and intellectual property.
- It should be noted that no knowledge of engineering, software development or marketing is required. However, if the student does have an appropriate background, and wishes to investigate these skills further, cross departmental projects can be arranged.
Skills that will be developed
- Project Management
- Working heavily with robotic laboratory equipment, from early development prototypes to market ready instruments.
- Cross departmental communication (Software, Engineering, Marketing)
- Industry research processes.
Number of Placements Offered
Singer Instruments has a rolling intake of internships. It is usual for the Research team to have one intern at any one time. However this is subject to change based on project requirements. A
maximum of 2 internships could be offered simultaneously within the Research team.
Possible Timeframe
A three month block is the usual placement mode, flexibility can be considered in special
cases. Certain times of year are more competitive than others, and early application is
suggested to avoid disappointment.
Note: Certain times of year are more competitive than others, and early application is suggested to avoid disappointment.
Lead Contact
Dr. Oliver Jack Severn Email: Oliver@singerinstruments.com Tel:(0) 1984 640226
How to apply
Please apply through the Singer website at: www.singerinstruments.com/jobs/
CambioScience – educational technology – rolling deadline
Brand new PIPS opportunity – offered for the first time in Jan 2020!
Overview of CambioScience
CamBioScience is a brand of the OBRIZUM GROUP LTD, an educational technology company founded in Cambridge, UK, by life science researchers from the University of Cambridge. The Courses & Conferences Department works with world-leading experts to provide intensive training courses and conferences in breakthrough life science technologies for academic and industry professionals. CamBioScience offers both in-person and online training courses. In 4 years, 800 scientists have been trained from over 80 leading academic and industrial institutions from more than 30 countries worldwide.
Project outline
The intern will be required to help with the day-to-day logistics for upcoming courses. The internship will be flexible depending on the needs of the department at the time and interests of the intern. Activities can include:
- Designing social media campaigns
- Provide support for setting up course practical sessions
- Provide support during the delivery of a course
- Put together content for department collaterals
- Organise contact databases
- Involvement in the sales of course registrations
The intern will also have the opportunity to be involved in the design of a new scientific course alongside the Head of Courses & Conferences.
Essential skills required
- Scientific background
- Highly Organised
- Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written
- Excellent project management skills
- Ability to work in a team
Skills you will develop
You will gain a greater understanding for how scientific events are run. By the end of the internship, you will be confident with all aspects of organising a technical life-sciences course. Key skills to be developed include organisation, sales, marketing, problem-solving and project management.
Placement location
CambioScience
OBRIZUM GROUP LTD
Unit 3 Duke’s Court
54-62 Newmarket Road,
Cambridge, UK
CB5 8DZ
When
The placement will be for a block of three months (12 weeks). The start date is flexible.
Contact
For informal enquiries, contact Michelle Ware, Head of Courses and Conferences
T: +44(0)7791481346
T: +44(0)1223 470647 (UK, Headquarters)
E: michelle@cambioscience.com
How to apply
There is a rolling deadline. If you are interested, apply by sending a CV and cover letter to: michelle@cambioscience.com
TTP plc – Rolling deadline
The space to invent.
Background
TTP is an independent technology company where scientists and engineers collaborate to invent, design and develop new products and technologies.
Working across a wide spectrum of industries, we create breakthrough solutions that bring strong commercial value to clients and the benefits of technology to all.
Website: https://www.ttp.com/
Internship description
We are always happy to hear from PhD students and Post-Doc researchers who are looking to undertake an internship.
As a technology consultancy, we work across a wide range of industries, from healthcare, to industrial technology, to aerospace & defence (to name just a few). An internship here will see you working within one of these sectors, putting your technical and research skills to work within a commercially focused context. Whilst you can expect to develop your existing skill-sets, you will find yourself growing in new ways: interacting with clients, seeing how business operates and being a valuable contributing member to multi-disciplinary teams. This is the opportunity for you to see how your academic knowledge and skill-sets could be used within an industry setting.
As a postgraduate student/researcher, your placement will be shaped around a project – this could be an internal TTP project, or one of our current external client-focused projects – and the process of concluding what this should be is very much a two-way one. We are interested to hear what your interests and skill-sets are, and this will form part of a conversation throughout the application process so that we can determine what project(s) may be a good fit. Of course, once here, there is scope for engaging in work occurring throughout TTP and having as varied an experience as possible – in fact, such collaboration and involvement is very much encouraged.
Requirements
We would be able to accommodate internships for individuals who are, broadly, within the following disciplines: Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical/Electronics, Software, Aerospace), Physics, Mathematics, Biology/Life Sciences.
As a consultancy, we can’t always be sure exactly what we’ll be working on 6 months down the line, and for that reason, we can’t guarantee we will always be able to accommodate you as an intern. However, at a minimum, we will always consider your application and investigate the possibility. We are open to applications year-round and the dates of any placement can be discussed on an individual basis; in general we do, however, have a slight preference for postgraduate internships to occur outside of the busy summer months (July-August) when we host a high number of undergraduates.
Benefits
TTP is an employee-owned business operating from pleasant surroundings on our own Science Park in Melbourn, South Cambridgeshire. Our working culture encourages entrepreneurship, shared ideas and technical collaboration, while providing you the freedom to do your best work. Employee benefits include:
- 25 days’ annual holiday, plus bank holidays (annual leave is pro on a pro rata basis if here for less than a year)
- Discounts and memberships to local sports facilities and the theatre
- Private Medical Insurance (depending on length of internship)
- Cycle to Work scheme (depending on length of internship)
Contact
Rebecca Bradley I University Interactions & Outreach Liaison
Email: Rebecca.Bradley@ttp.com
Tel: +44 1763 262626
Feel free to contact Rebecca with any queries or for an informal discussion in advance of applying.
How to apply
There is a rolling deadline therefore you can apply anytime. However, please do not delay, as there will be lots of competition for these placements. Application is via an on-line form.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
TU Delft – Science Communication & Research Data Management – Deadline: flexible
Exciting BBSRC PIP opportunities are now available at TU Delft (Netherlands) – For students that are looking for placements in science communication and research data management.
Remote working: Both these internships can be offered for someone willing to work remotely. (Re-location to the Netherlands for the internship period is not necessary).
Upcoming internship projects @ TU Delft:
1. FAIR Support Team – case study development
Funders and policy makes increasingly require researchers to make their data and research code FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable. Most researchers, however, do not know how to do it or where to get started. Therefore, in September 2020 TU Delft is launching its FAIR Support Team pilot. The FAIR Support Team is a pool of Data Managers and Research Software Engineers available ‘for hire’ (at no cost) by researchers to help them make their work more FAIR.
The purpose of this internship is to develop case studies which will help to evaluate the pilot. You will interview researchers who receive support of the FAIR Support Team, as well as Team members, who are providing this support. Subsequently, based on the interviews, you will develop case studies. The case studies will be published on the website advertising the service, as well as dedicated blog posts on the Open Working blog.
The intern will also have an opportunity to present their work at meetings and conferences, and, if there is interest, to summarise their work in a peer-reviewed publication.
This internship will help develop various interpersonal skills, such as networking, communication, writing, presentation, talking & listening; as well as an opportunity to better understand how a large, research-intensive organisation works.
2. Top 10 FAIR things – community building and writing sprints
Funders and policy makes increasingly require researchers to make their data and research code FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable. Most researchers, however, do not know how to do it or where to get started. Therefore, TU Delft would like to help research communities develop short, disciplinary guidelines on how to make things FAIR in the format of ‘10 FAIR Things’.
The purpose of the internship is to help research communities develop such guidelines. To do this, you will work with Data Champions community of TU Delft, the University of Cambridge, EPFL and the University of Melbourne to decide on three priority disciplines where such guidelines are most needed. Subsequently, you will organise writing sprints during which these guidelines will be produced. The guidelines will be offered for publication to the Carpentry organisation and for endorsement by the Research Data Alliance (international organisations for global cooperation on data and code management practices).
The intern will also have an opportunity to present their work at meetings and conferences, and, if there is interest, to summarise their work in a peer-reviewed publication.
This internship will help develop various interpersonal skills, such as networking, communication, organisation, presentation, leadership skills; as well as an opportunity to develop international networks and collaborations.
For more information
BBSRC student Clare Constance, who undertook her PIP at TU Delft last summer, is more than happy to chat with students about these opportunities and her personal experience of working with the team 🙂 (constance.clare1@nottingham.ac.uk).
Deadline and how to apply
To apply, contact Marta Teperek at m.teperek@tudelft.nl
Closing dates – The projects are flexible with no immediate deadlines. Students can negotiate a start date and organise remote working arrangements with Marta.
Cambridge Cancer Genomics – Business Development – rolling deadline
Click the link below to access the PIPS opportunity details and information about how to apply:
2019-Cambridge-Cancer-Genomics-Bus-Develt@Aug19
Note that the funding offered by Cambridge Cancer Genomics is in addition to your standard PIPS allowance for travel and accommodation (£2,050 @ the time of writing).
Oxford University Innovation Licensing & Ventures – Deadline: open call
Oxford University Innovation (OUI) is the technology transfer company of Oxford University.
Oxford University Innovation has created a new and exciting internship opportunity. Interns in our Licensing & Ventures Group will work alongside members of the core team in the management of projects, assisting with other activities in the Licensing & Ventures Group and enabling the transfer of as much technology as possible from Oxford University. For further information:
Click here to download PDF, including video links
How to apply
This is an open call with no specific deadline. If you are interested, please send a CV with accompanying letter stating relevant experience and interests to Brendan.Ludden@innovation.ox.ac.uk. During the significant disruption caused by COVID-19, the current programme is expected to be largely home-based and will be subject to UK government guidance on safe working practices.
#thescienceofcooking – How to make the best roast potatoes!
It’s time to hang up your lab coats and don the festive jumpers! Christmas is just around the corner and for many of you, it will be a very different, smaller occasion this year. Whether it is now your responsibility to cook a big roast dinner, you’d like to try something new in the kitchen or you simply want to find out why roast potatoes are so great – this blog post will be for you!
This week our guest writer, festive foodie Scientist and 1st year WRDTP student, Emma White is ready to give you the low down on some of the science behind cooking those delicious crispy Roasties.

Read more#thescienceofcooking – How to make the best roast potatoes!
Exploring the science behind everyday plants- Norway Pine
It’s that time of year again! Many of you are probably putting up Christmas trees this weekend- some real, some fake. If you’re using a real tree there’s a good chance it could be an immature Norway spruce, Picea abies. This is the same species of tree used for the Rockefeller Christmas tree each year but yours probably isn’t 75 ft tall!

Read moreExploring the science behind everyday plants- Norway Pine
Life after the thesis! An interview with WRDTP alumni Dr. Naomi Cox
This year, Naomi completed her PhD at the University of Sheffield. Her project focused on rice leaf development, looking in to when the leaf pattern is set, and how the final mature leaf develops from undifferentiated cells. After being awarded her PhD in August, Naomi is now working as a trainee clinical bioinformatician at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust.

Read moreLife after the thesis! An interview with WRDTP alumni Dr. Naomi Cox
Ioannis Tsagakis – FEBS Press
Ioannis Tsagakis immersed himself into the life of a scientific editor by undertaking an editorial internship at FEBS Press in his third year of PhD. The timing coincided with COVID-19 lockdown hence the internship was completed ‘virtually’ from Leeds, instead of the Cambridge office.
Lizzy Parker – Hope for the Future
Lizzy Parker is a PhD student at the University of Sheffield who spent 6 months working part-time at Hope for the Future. Hope for the Future is a national climate communication charity which works to equip communities, groups and individuals across the country to help communicate the urgency of climate change with their local politicians. Keep reading to find out more about what Lizzy’s role involved and why she chose to do this particular placement!
UK-Canada Globalink doctoral exchange scheme – Deadline: 15 Dec20
The deadline was originally 8th December but has been extended to 15 December 2020 16:00 UK time
Now open for the third call for applications from UKRI-funded doctoral students, the scheme will support travel, living and research costs for the students in their chosen field of study.
A new and exciting opportunity for UKRI and Canadian doctoral students to participate in a UK-Canada research exchange scheme.
UKRI has partnered with Mitacs, a national, not-for-profit organization that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for 20 years, to deliver the £2.5 million programme.
Supported by UKRI and Mitacs, up to 200 UK doctoral candidates will have the opportunity to develop into global citizens, with international competencies, during 12-week research placements in Canadian universities. A similar number of Canadian students will visit UK universities.
The scheme supports the UK government’s target of 2.4% GDP spend in research and development by 2027, helping the UK make the most of its world-class research, supporting its researchers to stay at the cutting edge, forge international collaborations, and encourage global talent to work in the UK.
As a collaborative scheme between the UK and Canada, an equal number of Canadian doctoral students will have the opportunity to undertake research placements at UK universities.
How to apply
If you are interested in this scheme, do not waste any time in applying. There is a lot of paperwork involved and you will need to seek the help of your PIPS contact to access Je-S.
Deadline: 15th December 2020 16:00 UK time
Are you a writing snacker or a binger?
The second virtual DTP skills session was aimed at helping students cultivate writing habits to make writing enjoyable and more productive. In this interactive writing workshop under the guidance of Dr Jenny Rivas Perez, students reflected on writing goals and exchanged advice on overcoming writing barriers.

Research in the 1990s categorised academics as snackers or bingers, based on those who were writing often and those who only wrote when there was an impending deadline, cramming all writing in a couple of days. Exploring this concept further, students in the DTP skills session discussed the benefits and drawbacks of writing and not writing. Highlights from this discussion included “a better understanding of the topic” and “helping pick out knowledge gaps” as benefits of writing. Surprisingly, there are benefits to not writing, such as “having a moment of reflection” or “stepping away from writing to be in the lab or going about your daily activities”. However, prolonged writing inactivity can have drawbacks too since “it can be really hard to fill the gap(s) of not writing”. For instance, having to refer to potentially five lab books when writing your thesis can be a big time-sink. Conversely, allocating time to write a summary of your daily endeavours is essentially writing to yourself in the future, making information readily available.
“Until you start writing about what you think you know, you don’t realise the gaps in your logic” suggested Dr Jenny Rivas Perez
Exploring the science behind everyday plants- Nutmeg
What do the classic european winter dishes of cauliflower cheese and mince pies have in common with traditional indonesian semur? The answer- nutmeg.
Nutmeg is the seed of the tree Myristica fragrans, with its close relative, Mace, being the seed covering. These days it is cultivated around the world in tropical regions but it originates from the Banda Islands of Maluku. In the Middle Ages it was traded across to Europe by the Arabs but, in 1511, the Portuguese annexed the islands. This was the start of the enslavement and murder of the Bandanese and over 100 years of bloody battles with the Dutch and English.
Read moreExploring the science behind everyday plants- Nutmeg
Get to know … your WRDTP Comms Team: Rhianna Rowland
Hi, my name is Rhianna and I’m a 4th year PhD student at the University of York. I work at YSBL focussing on human lysosomal enzymes which breakdown various glycoconjugates within our bodies. Inherited deficiencies in these enzymes leads to range of metabolic diseases called lysosomal storage disorders. My project aims to structurally characterise these enzymes and aid in the development of chemical probes, inhibitors and chaperones for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Coming from a Masters year in analytical chemistry, this project has been a real challenge. Working with membrane-associated proteins, delving into insect-baculoviral expression systems and the dark art of protein crystallography has all been new to me, but I chose this project because I felt it would allow me to explore protein chemistry/structural biology with real-life applications in human health and disease.
Why did you join the DTP Communications team?
I enjoy scientific writing and saw this as a great opportunity to improve my writing skills whilst further engaging with the White Rose DTP and its students. I hope to learn more about the exceptional research conducted by White Rose students and to share/showcase this with other students in the DTP through blogs and the use of social media. I also see this is a chance to share non-scientific content which I hope students (including myself!) will find helpful in coping with PhD life and maintaining a healthy wellbeing.
Read moreGet to know … your WRDTP Comms Team: Rhianna Rowland
Academy of Medical Sciences – Deadline: 22 Nov20
The Academy of Medical Sciences Grants and Programmes internship scheme is open for applications for internships in 2021.
Applications are welcomed for 3 month internships between January-December 2021. The scheme is open to BBSRC-funded PhD students through the PIPS scheme.
The scheme is designed to give students first-hand experience of the research funding and career development sectors, and to build valuable networks with the UK’s most eminent medical scientists and senior science and health stakeholders. There is a case study of a recent intern here that gives some examples of the kinds of projects that interns in our team will be involved with.
We expect the internships to be full-time positions for the full three-month period. However, in exceptional circumstances, the Academy will consider requests for a reduced duration. Due to the ongoing pandemic, we expect internships beginning in January 2021 will be supervised remotely. Place of work for internships from April 2021 onwards will depend on the Academy’s policy in response to the pandemic, however we will discuss with interns the feasibility of any travel, either to the Academy offices or elsewhere in the UK for internship activities, in light of government guidelines and personal circumstances.
More details can be found at https://acmedsci.ac.uk/about/administration/internship-schemes
The deadline for applications is 22 November 2020.
Contact for any queries:
Dr Kim Hutchings
International Grants Manager
The Academy of Medical Sciences
41 Portland Place
London W1B 1QH
+44 (0)20 3141 3234
Please note my working days are Tues-Fri
Sport, psychology, and animal video clips with PIPS
BBSRC DTP PhD student Matthew Chadwick undertook a PIPS with the Human Performance Service in the Sport and Exercise Sciences Department of the University of Leeds, providing technical consultation and training to research teams. In case you wanted additional reasons to watch those cat videos on the internet, keep reading.
Read moreSport, psychology, and animal video clips with PIPS
Get to know… your WRDTP student reps: Alex Scott
Alex has just now, in October, entered third year – how time flies!
Get to know… your WRDTP comms team – Rachel Greenhill
I’m Rachel, a PhD student at Sheffield and one of your 2020 comms committee members for the BBSRC White Rose DTP. I joined the committee primarily to help gain more experience in social media management and develop my writing skills but I have really enjoyed the insights I’ve gained into other people’s work and really enjoy highlighting all your achievements!
Prior to joining UoS, I worked for 5 years as a Genomics Scientist at Tun Abdul Razak Research Centre (TARRC), developing molecular markers for Hevea brasiliensis (natural rubber) clonal variety confirmation to aid in field misidentification in Malaysia. This role really highlighted to me the fundamental necessity for global crop improvement efforts to meet food security targets, and directed me down my career path.
The focus of my PhD project is primarily to look into what underpins the virulence of Striga asiatica, a parasitic plant which devastates cereal crop yields in Central and Eastern Africa. I’ve found my research focus in the crop improvement/food sustainability field, and is something I’m very passionate about!
Alongside working with plants in my academic life, I also have an allotment which keeps me very busy on the weekends. I also enjoy running and somehow completed my 4th half marathon in the brilliant Sheffield half in 2019.
I’m looking forward to bringing lots of plant-focused content to the DTP blog, twitter and more in the future!
Exploring the science behind everyday plants – Maple
It’s spooky season! Whether you call it Autumn or Fall one of the most spectacular plants at this time of year is the Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum). It’s native to Canada and the far north of the United States but is sometimes cultivated abroad.
Read moreExploring the science behind everyday plants – Maple
Get to know.. your WRDTP student reps – Molly Patterson
Our next WRDTP student rep profile is here… This week we are introducing you to Molly Patterson, a freshly minted DTP rep with a passion for the very relevant as of recent topic of virology!
Molly joined the DTP in 2018 at the University of Leeds after her integrated masters at Leeds. Remaining at the Mcdonald lab, she resumes addressing central questions in the field of virology and cancer. Read about her recent publication here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32555725/
Check out our Q&A session in full!
Read moreGet to know.. your WRDTP student reps – Molly Patterson
ABPI – Exam digitalisation – Deadline: 28 Oct 2020
Background information
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) delivers the professional ABPI Medical Representatives Exam, taken by those who call upon doctors, dentists, and other UK prescribers and/or promote medicines based on their therapeutic properties. This includes representatives from virtually all pharmaceutical companies with UK operations.
When the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, paper-based exams that were held monthly at venues across the country were cancelled and the ABPI have since been working on a project to move all examinations online.
Integrity of the Exam is crucial to building and maintaining the trust and reputation of the UK pharmaceutical industry.
Please note: since the COVID pandemic reached the UK, the ABPI has successfully undertaken virtual onboarding of a number of interns.
Project offered
Following on from previous successful PIPS internships for other projects, we are once again, seeking a PIPS student to apply their scientific and project management experience in an examinations and education context.
This project seeks to contribute to the development of the online ABPI Medical Representatives. The output of the project will be the successful delivery of the newly formatted exam which will be important in maintaining integrity of the industry as the world continues to virtually evolve.
The applicant will be expected to support the ABPI Education and Examinations Executive with development of the exam, liaising with internal teams, external providers, and the ABPI Exam Governance and Exam Steering Groups. Alongside this role, there may be the opportunity for the applicant to contribute to updating and/or incorporating new material to the exam, and development of new qualifications.
The project will also include scope to improve ABPI’s engagement with member pharmaceutical companies from the Research, Medical and Innovation team in other formats such as written communication. The applicant will have the opportunity to help develop better communications on research, medical & innovation topics.
The successful applicant can expect to have a supervisor who would meet regularly for virtual guidance and support at the current time, with potential face to face meetings depending on Government guidance in relation to COVID and company policy.
How to apply
Interested students should email Andrew Croydon – contact details below – in the first instance, or they can apply directly to Andrew with a CV and covering letter.
Final application deadline: by close of business Wednesday 28th October 2020.
Note: ABPI has successfully virtually onboarded a few interns since lockdown and Andrew is happy to answer any questions specifically relating to this aspect of internships.
Contact
Andrew Croydon
Skills & Education Policy and Examinations Director
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Direct: +44 (0)2077471436
Email: ACroydon@abpi.org.uk
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ABPI – Research, medical and innovation (RM&I) member engagement – Deadline: 28 Oct 2020
Background information
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) exists to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use new medicines. Representing small, medium, and large pharmaceutical companies, the ABPI is a large trade association that greatly values engagement and high levels of member satisfaction.
By representing members and gathering their insight and experiences, the ABPI tells the story of how they change the lives of millions of people every day.
Please note: since the COVID pandemic reached the UK, the ABPI has successfully undertaken virtual onboarding of a number of interns.
Project offered
Following on from previous successful PIPS internships for similar projects, we are once again, seeking a PIPS student to apply their scientific and project management experience in a policy context.
This project seeks to improve ABPI engagement with member pharmaceutical companies as we navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. The output of the project will be the set-up and delivery of the ABPI Research, Medical and Innovation (RM&I) member webinars and virtual networking events (with support and input from the RM&I and Events Teams). These will cover a range of research, medical and innovation topics.
The applicant will be expected to liaise with ABPI colleagues, member companies, and external stakeholders to deliver successful events with high levels of engagement. The applicant will also be expected to analyse feedback on events and suggest areas for improvement for future events.
The project will also include scope to improve ABPI’s engagement with member pharmaceutical companies from the Research, Medical and Innovation team in other formats such as written communication. The applicant will have the opportunity to help develop better communications on research, medical & innovation topics.
The successful applicant can expect to have a supervisor who would meet regularly for virtual guidance and support at the current time, with potential face to face meetings depending on Government guidance in relation to COVID and company policy.
How to apply
Interested students should email Andrew Croydon – contact details below – in the first instance, or they can apply directly to Andrew with a CV and covering letter.
Final application deadline: by close of business Wednesday 28th October 2020.
Note: ABPI has successfully virtually onboarded a few interns since lockdown and Andrew is happy to answer any questions specifically relating to this aspect of internships.
Contact
Andrew Croydon
Skills & Education Policy and Examinations Director
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Direct: +44 (0)2077471436
Email: ACroydon@abpi.org.uk
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ABPI – Appropriate prescribing, ethics and the code – Deadline: 28 Oct 2020
Background information
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is a UK trade association representing small, medium, and large pharmaceutical companies who invest in discovering future medicines. The ABPI’s Research, Medical and Innovation Team (RM&I) operates four strategic leadership groups (SLGs) that support and contribute to the ABPI’s mission to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use the medicines of the future.
The ABPI Appropriate Prescribing, Ethics and the Code (APEC) SLG comprises senior medical directors from member companies. APEC’s purpose is to provide medical leadership, lead appropriate prescribing policies, champion the ABPI Code of Practice, improve patient and public involvement in research, research transparency, and support medical education activities. APEC have been involved in the ABPI’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic which has strongly emphasised the importance of the group and its remit.
Please note: since the covid pandemic reached the UK, the ABPI has successfully undertaken virtual onboarding of a number of interns.
Project offered
Following on from previous successful PIPS internships, we are seeking a PIPS student to apply their scientific and project management experience in a policy context.
This project seeks to work closely with senior members of pharmaceutical companies to contribute to ABPI policy positions relating to ethical aspects of developing medicines and companies obligations supporting the appropriate prescribing of medicines. This includes work to support future development of the ABPI Code of Practice.
The applicant will be expected to co-ordinate activities, organise and attend meetings, and integrate insights from stakeholders and ABPI members into policy papers.
The successful applicant can expect to have a supervisor who would meet regularly for virtual guidance and support at the current time, with potential face to face meetings depending on Government guidance in relation to COVID and company policy.
How to apply
Interested students should email Andrew Croydon – contact details below – in the first instance, or they can apply directly to Andrew with a CV and covering letter.
Final application deadline: by close of business Wednesday 28th October 2020.
Note: ABPI has successfully virtually onboarded a few interns since lockdown and Andrew is happy to answer any questions specifically relating to this aspect of internships.
Contact
Andrew Croydon
Skills & Education Policy and Examinations Director
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Direct: +44 (0)2077471436
Email: ACroydon@abpi.org.uk
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7th Floor Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT
ABPI Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products and Cell & Gene Therapies Project – Deadline: 28 Oct 2020
Background information
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) is a UK trade association representing small, medium, and large pharmaceutical companies who invest in discovering future medicines. The ABPI exists to make the UK the best place in the world to research, develop and use new medicines.
In 2020 the ABPI has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care, the NHS, regulators, and academic partners on how ABPI member companies can best support the UK Government.
One ongoing avenue is participation in the Government’s COVID Therapeutics Taskforce whereby knowledge on therapeutic targets and early drug candidates is crucial to understanding the fast-moving landscape and developing policy.
Project offered
Following on from previous successful PIPS internships, we are seeking a PIPS student to apply their scientific and project management experience in a policy context.
This project seeks to analyse the Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) and Cell & Gene therapies landscape by undertaking desk-based research and extracting and interpreting information from a wide range of data sources.
The output of the project will be to create an ongoing report, with the potential for publication by the ABPI, and a slide set which can be used in presentations to showcase the global effort in this area and to input to AAC (Accelerated Access Collaborative) workstreams in due course.
The successful applicant can expect to have a supervisor who would meet regularly for virtual guidance and support at the current time, with potential face-to-face meetings depending on Government guidance and company policy.
Please note: since the covid pandemic reached the UK, the ABPI has successfully undertaken virtual onboarding of a number of interns.
How to apply
Interested students should email Andrew Croydon – contact details below – in the first instance, or they can apply directly to Andrew with a CV and covering letter.
Final application deadline: by close of business Wednesday 28th October 2020.
Note: ABPI has successfully virtually onboarded a few interns since lockdown and Andrew is happy to answer any questions specifically relating to this aspect of internships.
Contact
Andrew Croydon
Skills & Education Policy and Examinations Director
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry
Direct: +44 (0)2077471436
Email: ACroydon@abpi.org.uk
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7th Floor Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QT
UK-Canada Globalink Doctoral Exchange Scheme: Deadline 8Dec20
The third UKRI Globalink Doctoral Exchange Scheme call is now open for applications with a closing date of 8th December 2020.
Further details about the call and how to apply can be found here:
Well-being during COVID-19 lockdown
Earlier last month we released a Twitter thread listing various tips on how to keep sane during the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down! You can catch it again here in the form of a blog post.
Maintaining the work-life balance at the office from home
It’s easy to get trapped in the mentality of working more than usual even at home, because now you are literally at work all the time! However, setting time aside for picking up old hobbies previously pushed aside and working towards something can be scheduled for. That piano piece you thought was too difficult, that yoga pose you could not hold, or that video game that has been gathering dust are all great starting places.
Exploring the science behind everyday plants- Heather
If you’ve been to the moors recently (or been lucky enough to take a holiday to Scotland) you’ve probably noticed that the heather is in full bloom!
Once considered an indicator of the harshest type of rural poverty, Calluna vulgaris was made popular by Queen Victoria’s love of the Scottish Highlands. In Scotland, white heather is considered to bring good luck (rather like four leaf clovers for the Irish) so several white flowering cultivators have been developed, although wild heather is most commonly a light purple.
Growth conditions:
It is the only species in the genus Calluna and generally considered one of the toughest plants going, surviving severe exposure, temperatures below -20 °C and burning. However it requires acidic soils (pH 4.5-6.0) to grow and so often doesn’t do well in cultivation. The pH of the soil a plant grows in is important because it affects a wide range of factors, including which bacteria are present and the availability of certain nutrients such as nitrogen. Some soils can also change their structure in different pH’s; a classic example is clay, which is granular and perfectly suited to many crops in the pH range of 5.5-7.0 but at either extreme becomes very sticky and tends to suffocate roots.
The curious properties of heather honey:
As well as being beautiful, heather is a fantastic source of nectar for honey bees. The honey produced by them was once dismissed as unwholesome by the Greek physician, Dioscurides but today it is very popular. It shares an interesting characteristic with tomato ketchup- both are thixotropic fluids. This means that they decrease in viscosity with time for a constant applied shear stress and then gradually return to the original state when the stress is removed. The honey is jelly like until it is stirred and will return to a jelly when the stirring stops, as you can imagine, this makes it very difficult to extract from the honeycomb!
The heather has another surprise in its nectar, one that could be vital in helping to save wild bee colonies. It has recently been found that a chemical called callunene (present in the nectar) can help to treat a common gut parasite, Crithidia bombi, and help protect the bees from catching it in the first place, by preventing flagellar anchoring to the ileum epithelium. Boosting heathland conservation would increase bees’ access to heather, hopefully improving the health of wild colonies. It is also possible that this might be the compound which is responsible for heather’s use in herbal medicine to treat urinary tract infections, although this has yet to be investigated.
Can I make alcohol from it? The important questions in life:
Something you may not have associated this plant with immediately is beer. However heather has been used as a bittering herb (alongside myrtle and broom) in Scottish beer since at least 1769 when Thomas Pennet wrote in A tour in Scotland that on the island of Islay “ale is frequently mixed with the young tops of heath…” Brewing history in Scotland dates back 5,000 yrs so it’s safe to assume this tradition is likely a lot older than Pennet’s book. Beer produced with this mix of herbs is called gruit beer and it can still be found today, although hop beers have largely replaced it because hops tend to be cheaper and do a better job of preserving the beer. February 1st is the official International Gruit Day in case you can find some to try!
AMRC Peer Review Audit Intern – Deadline: 18 Sep 2020
Title: Peer review audit intern
Renumeration: Travel costs
Placement: Mid October 2020 – mid Jan 2021 (3 months in total)
Location: remote working / working from home
About AMRC
Over 30 years ago a diverse group of medical research charities formed the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) to unite the sector and provide it with a leading voice. Since then our membership has grown to over 150 charities across the UK and we continue to lead and support charities to deliver high-quality research that saves and improves lives.
We equip our member charities with regular guidance and training, and provide quality standards to help our member charities maximise the impact of their investment. We play a vital role in influencing the research environment from forging partnerships, to voicing our member charities’ concerns and ideas to policy makers, to developing position statements. Find out more about our work at www.amrc.org.uk.
AMRC peer review audit
In order to gain and maintain AMRC membership, and the hallmark of quality that it affords, charities must fund research in an open and transparent way that includes a robust peer review process. Their ability to do this is assessed during the application process as well as during a full peer review audit that takes place every five years. Any organisation which no longer complies is demitted.
By adhering to AMRC’s five principles of peer review – accountability, balance, independence, rotation and impartiality, charities can support the best research and the best researchers. This, in turn, can help charities maximise the impact of their funding to deliver changes that really matter to their supporters and stakeholders, so that patients benefit from the fruits of research.
With this hallmark of quality, AMRC charities that award funding in an open competition are able to utilise the Charity Research Support Fund in funding research in universities and receive funding support with some of the costs associated with clinical research in the NHS.
The AMRC will be conducting the peer review audit in late 2020. In the spirit of our principles, the audit is assessed by the Peer Review Audit Committee, a panel of expert reviewers who provide advice to the AMRC on the quality of peer review processes in all member charities and that is led by an independent and high-profile Chair.
The outcomes of the audit will be communicated to our members and wider stakeholders. AMRC will use the insights gathered from the audit to consider whether our guidance on our five principles of peer review should be amended.
As the current uncertainty in the UK leads to more challenges for research funders, AMRC wants to ensure that the best research is funded in the best way by making our quality standards for funding as up to date and robust for the future as possible.
About the role
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain exposure to the health and medical research charity sector.
Part of a small but passionate, innovative and influential team, you will play an essential role helping the AMRC deliver its 2020 Peer Review audit. You will report to AMRC’s Research Policy Manager but will have to develop strong relationships across the organisation and research leadership within the member charities.
You will be involved in:
- Ensuring AMRC members are supported and able to complete the audit survey.
- Collating the information from our members to enable independent assessment of their peer review process in making research funding decisions by the Peer Review Audit Committee (PRAC).
- Supporting the PRAC members and the Chair in the assessment of our members adherence to the peer review principles in their research funding decisions. The PRAC will recommend whether a charity passes, passes with minor issues or fails the audit. Charities that fail the audit are demitted from the membership of AMRC.
- Giving consideration to the need to revise AMRC guidance on the principles for decision making about research funding. Medical research charities are increasing funding innovative research in new and different ways, particularly in areas of data and digital innovation. Mechanisms such as sandpits are used by charities to encourage collaborative research projects. You will consider what changes to guidance, if any, AMRC could make.
- Designing communications plans to promote and celebrate completion of the audit, recognising the high standards our members meet.
- Other activities you could be involved in including: policy analysis of emerging issues; political and policy stakeholder mapping; attending meetings alongside AMRC staff, on a range of issues; supporting AMRC’s social media through blogs and Twitter, etc.
About you
You have:
- first degree/masters/PhD in a relevant discipline (or equivalent)
- an eye for detail
- good time management skills
- the ability to prioritise competing demands
- MS Office (including Excel) skills
- a positive attitude to work
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills
You are:
- well organised
- open to learning and new ways of working
- not afraid to ask questions
- able to work independently and proactively
- willing to work flexibly when required
- able to thrive in a busy environment with lots of challenges
Why intern with us?
- You will quickly gain a bird’s eye view of the UK medical research landscape
- You will learn and use a variety of different concrete and applicable skills
- You will get valuable insights into research policy, management and communications
- You will be part of a small, friendly team of approximately 14 people
- You will begin to build a network and make connections within the sector
Skills developed
- Organisation, time management and prioritising
- Written and oral communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Working across organisational boundaries
- Accuracy and attention to detail
- Learning and new ways of working
- Project management
How to apply
Please send your CV and a one-page covering letter to Dr Mehwaesh Islam at m.islam@amrc.org.uk
Deadline: no later than Friday 18th September 2020.
In your application, be sure to tell us:
- What interests you most about working with AMRC?
- What transferable skills can you offer in relation to the role? Do you have examples of previous administrative and data handling experience?
- What you would like to achieve from this internship?
Promising applicants will be invited to a virtual interview to take place either w/c 21st or 28th September 2020.
Royal Society of Biology – Deadline: 10 Sep20
The RSB has one internship position available for current PhD students who are funded by AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, and NERC.
The successful applicant will spend three months working at the RSB in 2021. Start and end dates can be negotiated as appropriate.
What does a policy internship at the RSB involve?
An internship with the Society will involve the combination of a specific project to be substantially delivered within the period of the placement, along with involvement in ongoing projects and activities of the RSB team. This may involve background research and working with our staff team and members to generate a response to a government or Parliamentary consultation, or the development of one of our Policy Lates events, for example.
Find out more here: https://www.rsb.org.uk/policy/policy-resources/policy-internships
How to apply
To apply in 2020 for internships in 2021, go to the UKRI Policy Internships Scheme webpage.
Deadline
Deadline to apply: 10 September 2020
UKRI Policy Internships – Deadline: 10 Sep20
The research councils organise the Policy Internships Scheme for current research council-funded doctoral students to work for three months in a highly influential policy organisation on one or more policy topics relevant to both the student and the host. The student will be expected to produce at least one briefing paper, participate in a policy inquiry and/or organise a policy event, or equivalent piece of work.
We’ve had great feedback from PGRs who have taken advantage of this scheme, and would really encourage eligible students to check it out.
Internships are available with a number of parliamentary departments, government departments and non-governmental bodies, learned societies and other organisations. Click the link below for a full list of host partners for the 2020/21 competition round, as well as information about how to apply:
Deadline for applications: 16:00 on 10 September 2020
3-Minute Thesis – Alex Setchfield and Katie West
Two of our DTP students – Katie West and Alex Setchfield – took part in the University of York 2020 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition and presented their work in the final round on Wednesday 10th June 2020. We talked to Katie and Alex about the whole process – from their motivation to take part, through the preparation they did, to their reflections on the process! We would like to say a very big ‘well done’ to Katie and Alex on making it to the final of the competition, especially with the challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic! Read their full interview to find out more about their experience and the invaluable advice they have for anyone who wants to try taking part in 3MT in the future, as well as a link where you can watch the event in full.
National Allotments Week – PhD wellbeing
It’s National Allotments Week here in the UK, a celebration of all things green (and purple, orange and yellow)! DTP student and instagram blogger Rachel (@rachels.allotment), is here to talk about the range of benefits you can get from growing your own.
Exploring the science behind everyday plants: Roses
For the first in my blog series: Exploring the science behind everyday plants, it seems appropriate to cover Roses.
The name “Rose” refers to over 300 species of plant in the genus Rosa. They can range from miniature garden roses to climbers that can reach well over 7 M height but one thing they all have in common is the showy flowers they produce.
Rose colours:
The colour of these flowers was used as a sort of language in Victorian England, each symbolising something different. White was for innocence and young love (hence why white roses are common in bridal bouquets), red was for romantic love, yellow was for jealousy and pink was for friendship. Of course, there are thousands of cultivators with mixed colours these days so, in theory, you could send a very nuanced message if you wanted to!
Read moreExploring the science behind everyday plants: Roses
Get to know… your WRDTP Comms Team: Zoe Ingold
Hiya! My name is Zoe and I’m a new member of the comms team from York. I work across YSBL and CNAP studying C-C bond forming enzymes derived from plants. I’m using x-ray crystallography to determine their structures and trying to elucidate their mechanisms in order to modify them to use substrates of industrial importance. Long term this will hopefully lead to greener processes for fine chemicals production.
Why did you join the DTP comms team?
I’ve been doing SciComm since first year of undergrad when I volunteered at the RSC stand for the York Festival of Ideas however, due to corona, all in-person SciComm has been cancelled for the foreseeable future. I saw this time as a good opportunity to develop my writing skills, so I’ve been using twitter to post about the chemistry and cultural importance of a new plant each day (who doesn’t love plants!). Writing for the White Rose blog allows me to explore this in more depth as well as write about other areas of the PhD experience.
Tell us some non-work related things about you!
I love food! York has an amazing food scene and whenever some place new opens up I try to visit. During lockdown I’ve learned how to make pastel de nata from scratch and I’m trying to grow some of my own fruit and veg too. At the start of my PhD some of my friends took my bouldering and I’m really looking forward to the climbing gym re-opening. I also train horses and go out to explore the Yorkshire area whenever I can.
Get to know… your WRDTP Comms Team: Maria Nikolova
My name’s Maria Nikolova and I’m a second year PhD student at the University of Leeds. I am the Comms Team group lead and most of the Tweets you see will be from me. Who knew a lifetime of endless scrolling through social media and subsconsciously absorbing what content gets the most attention will be useful!
My research focuses on the structural and functional investigation of PACE transporters. They are a family of multidrug efflux pumps that can transport a number of biocides out of bacteria and facilitate resistance. I chose this project because protein biochemistry was my favourite part of the integrated masters I did at the University of York (I just need a post-doc in Sheffield to complete my White Rose collection) and I think antimicrobial resistance is the most urgent global health threat we are facing. I also wanted a challenging project and membrane proteins fit neatly into that category so I can’t complain when it’s hard now (although I still do). It has been a steep learning curve but a rewarding experience and I feel like I have already learned a lot. Now I just need my structure!
I have recently got into cycling as it’s such a great way to get active and explore the green spaces around my plain old terraced house (I have not enjoyed spending a lot of time indoors…) and I get some satisfaction out of getting there all on my own. I may have got a little too into tracking my rides on Strava… Just another social media obsession to add to my list. I also love meeting up with friends in my spare time and getting involved in science communication projects. It’s no surprise then that I’m involved in organising Pint of Science for the second year running as it combines two of my favourite activities! I joined the DTP Comms Team because I see great potential in using our social media and website to showcase and amplify all the great achievements of our students and also provide a platform for students to share what they’re passionate about. I’m also quite excited about connecting with and sharing ideas with our cohort so it’s been great fun for me really. I hope everyone enjoys our posts and our DMs and emails are always open for new suggestions!
Tips on giving a conference talk from Oli Herd
Oli Herd is a final year PhD student at the University of York characterising haematopoietic and immunological changes using a mouse model of chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) under the supervision of Ian Hitchcock and Paul Genever. In December 2019 he presented a talk at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida (USA) on his research in defining changes in haematopoietic stem cell populations and the bone marrow microenvironment during ITP progression. We asked Oli for his top tips for preparing to give a talk at a conference, read below for a first-hand account of his experience!
Sense about Science communications intern-Deadline: 6 Aug20
This internship is offered on a remote-working basis initially.
Background
Useful links
2 Stephen St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1AN | +44 (0)20 7490 9590
When
The internship dates would be Monday 7 September to Friday 4 December 2020, but with remote working there’s of course some flexibility in this if required.
Where
Initially remote-working.
Office-based if and when feasible: 2 Stephen St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 1AN | +44 (0)20 7490 9590
The opportunity
Essential skills
- Ability to identify and use initiative to solve problems
- Ability to organise and prioritise work
- A flair for clear, engaging writing
- Friendly manner
- Candidates should be familiar with and share the Sense about Science ethos regarding the public interest in sound science and evidence
How to apply
Candidates can apply by submitting their CV and cover letter to Dr Hamid Khan
by Wednesday 6 August 2020.
Contact
Dr Hamid Khan
Email: hamid@senseaboutscience.org
Tel: +44 (0)20 7490 9590
Senior partnerships coordinator
Sense about Science
Because evidence matters
Marcus Holt – FindAUniversity
Marcus Holt is a final year PhD student at the University of Leeds, who did his PIPS with the internet-based company FindAUniversity. The company is geared towards students looking for a postgraduate course. He told us what was involved in his role within the Content team (part of which was carried out remotely due to COVID-19) and gave us some great insight into what he took away from his PIPS experience!
Get to know… your WRDTP student reps: Evie Farnham
It’s time to introduce our first student rep from the University of York! Evie is currently in the second year of her PhD. She also did her undergraduate at York, with a year working in the agriculture industry in Gloucestershire. Her PhD allows her to combine her interests in crop protection, microbial evolution and genetics into one project. Evie thinks time has really flown by and she can’t believe she’s already halfway through her PhD!
Read on to find out how Evie’s interest in crop protection has evolved to bring her to her current project and what it entails, what she loves doing in her spare time and one of the misfortunes she’s had during a late night in the lab (don’t worry, it has a happy ending)!
Get to know… your WRDTP Comms Team: Ioannis Tsagakis

Hi there, my name is Ioannis and I am a 3rd year PhD student working across FBS and FMH on RNA Biology. More specifically, my project aims to understand how long non-protein coding RNAs can co-evolve with their protein binding partners across placental mammals with divergent early pregnancy events. To this end, I use biochemical pull-down methods and primary cell culture to identify the protein interactome of the XIST RNA in humans, cows and pigs.
Why did you join the DTP Communications team?
Joining the DTP Communications team made sense because I am interested in scientific communication and have realised social media provides a new platform to interact with wider networks of scientists. Being an active Twitter user, I frequently post cutting-edge scientific research, conference meeting opportunities as well as my thoughts about all things science. I am also keen to learn about all the latest research which makes me the person having a lot of questions in seminars (not always asking them though).
Enough about work, tell us something about you!
In my spare time, I like to play basketball, cook or explore new places in Leeds for food and/or music. It was clear from the beginning of my PhD, I was pro-pun and would get every chance to come up with science-themed jokes (even if they weren’t that good – groan!). Being native Greek but having spent 10 years in the UK, I now more than ever prefer my holidays by a sandy beach over a mountain hike. A saying that has stuck with me is that…
“There is no such thing as I can’t do, there is only I don’t want to”.
Luke Fountain – Growing skills during lockdown
This week’s blog post comes from Luke Fountain, a second year WRDTP PhD student (and a UK student space ambassador!) at the University of Sheffield.
Over the past few months of lockdown, like many of us, Luke has been trying to find new ways to stay productive while access to university sites has been restricted. Here Luke shares with you what he has been up to, from building hydroponics set ups from home to attending live Q&As with Astronauts!
Hopefully Luke’s experiences will inspire you to get creative as we slowly find our way back into a new normality.