The British Library runs an annual PhD Placement Scheme which aims to provide an opportunity for PhD researchers to experience research in a different environment to their own university, to engage with a range of research users and audiences, to gain insights into different potential postdoctoral career paths, and to make a tangible contribution to the purposes and programmes of a national library and major cultural organisation.

A broad range of opportunities to work with different collections are made available every year for projects of 3 months or part-time equivalent.

To find out more about the eligibility criteria and application information, including deadlines, visit the British Library website. 

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) are building a research community focused on what a good digital society should look like and how we get there. As part of this, they seek to build up the skills of a diverse range of early career researchers who will go on to comprise the next generation of digital society researchers. 

This scheme offers PhD students the opportunity to experience working with interdisciplinary teams in various sectors and industries. Internships may be on academic research projects or research to support industry-based technology development activity.

Applicants are responsible for finding their own host organisation, either by:

• Approaching one of the partner organisations via the Digital Good Network – BBC R&D, Zinc, Ofcom, CAST or Arebyte.
• Arranging an internship with another appropriate institution.

Applications usually open in summer with a closing date in September, for projects starting the following calendar year. This scheme is open to all PhD students, not just those who are funded by a UKRI research council.

Information on the scheme is available at: https://digitalgood.net/research-internships/

The Open Innovation Team (OIT) is a cross-government unit that works on a wide range of policies, including health, justice, education, sustainability, energy, international development, and artificial intelligence. 

Over 150 PGRs have undertaken a PhD placement through the OIT scheme, with many going on to policy jobs after completing their studies. This placement offers the chance to work with clients across government, experience a diverse range of policy areas and learn how you can transfer your PhD skills into new environments.

PhD students are invited to join their team for three months on a full time basis to help deliver policy projects across a broad spectrum of areas.

Find out more about the scheme, including eligibility criteria and the application process, on the OIT PhD Placements website.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a botanical garden, plant science research centre and historically significant landscape, whose mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi, for the wellbeing of people and the future of all life on Earth.

Kew regularly host external PhD students for 3-month placements across a range of areas of work, including communications, outreach, interpretation, collections and science, and welcome placement applications from PGRs across a variety of disciplines. 

They operate a quarterly application window for all placements unless otherwise stated.  To find out about opportunities visit their dedicated webpages for PhD placements.

The Ri provides science education and heritage activities for people of all ages and backgrounds across the UK and around the world. 

Their annual internships offer the chance for PhD researchers to build confidence in an area of science engagement. There are multiple projects available and each project usually recruits a number of interns each year, including:

• Marketing and Communications
• Young Scientist Centre Engagement
• Digital Media
• Family Programmes
• Science in Schools
• Masterclasses – Science Engagement
• Christmas Lectures

Opportunities are posted on the Ri website each summer, with application deadlines throughout the summer for internships starting the following academic year. You can read more about their opportunities when available on the Ri website.  

The scheme provides the opportunity for doctoral students funded by the Research Councils of UKRI to undertake a three-month placement at one of a selected group of highly influential policy organisations. During the internship, PGRs undertake training and experience on a policy topic agreed with their host partner that is relevant to both parties. The intention of the scheme is to embed PGRs in an environment where they can engage with the process of converting research outputs into policy. These internships equip PGRs with transferable skills and training relevant to the future career paths they may wish to explore.

The scheme supports around 125 internships per year. Applicants are selected following a multi-stage application process which usually opens in the summer, with a closing date in September.

Find out more about the scheme, including eligibility, application information and deadlines: UKRI Policy Internships scheme – UKRI

The V&A (Victoria and Albert) is a family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity. Their mission is to champion design and creativity in all its forms, advance cultural knowledge, and inspire makers, creators and innovators everywhere. It houses a vast and diverse collection of objects from around the globe, with a focus on the decorative and applied arts, including fashion, furniture, ceramics, and textiles.

The V&A offers range of doctoral placements across their collections departments, archives, the National Art Library, research, and collections care and access.

Placements are designed by members of V&A staff and advertised with applications deadlines each summer, with projects starting in the autumn.

Placement projects are advertised on the V&A website each year. Take a look at some examples of previous projects on their website.