Placements & Internships

Internships and Employment

Placements and internships enable students to develop a sharper sense of the wider relevance of their research as well as professional and transferrable workplace skills in line with the LISS DTP Development Needs Analysis (previously Training needs Analysis). Placements may also build expertise in knowledge co-generation, where research questions, analytical frameworks and knowledge exchange processes are co-designed with academic and practitioner input.  

Placement expectations

  • Students whose funding commenced after October 2024 (DTP2) are expected to complete a 3-month (13 week) placement during their PhD. The placement period is included as part of the standard 3.5 year award. Students who do not complete a placement will have their funding reduced to 3.25 years.
  • Students beginning their studentship before October 2024 (DTP1) can apply to do an internship, and if approved, can have their stipend extended for the duration of the internship (up to 3-months).

What kind of placements can be taken?

There are various ways that placements can be developed, including:

  • LISS DTP partner led placements: we will develop placements with external organisations and advertise these with you.
  • LISS DTP Research Assistant Internships: These give students the opportunity to work on academic research project at one of the three LISS institutions.
  • Student-led placement: Develop your own placement through contacts that you or your supervisory team have, or with an organisation that is working in an area that is of interest.
  • Externally advertised placements: LISS DTP will advertise placement opportunities. These can be with major UK government departments, UKRI schemes.

What are the requirements for a placement?

  • Placements should focus on a discreet project, challenge or research question that is distinct from the PhD research. It should have a clear programme of activity which will develop the students’ transferrable skills and ability to apply their research skills in different contexts.
  • Students should discuss placement plans with their supervisor, and it should be informed by the training and skills gaps identified in the Development Needs Analysis for DTP2 students.
  • Placement flexibility: Placements can be full or part time, be in person, virtual or hybrid, and the 3-month period could be split between different organisations.
  • Placements should not be held within the first few months of the PhD and should not take place during a Masters period for our 1+3.5 students. They must commence before the end of funding date (prior to the extension period being implemented). 

How to apply for a placement:

  • LISS DTP must approve all placement proposals in advance to confirm that they meet the placement requirements. Students should apply for their placements via the Placement /Internship Application form
  • For more information on submitting an application for a placement / internship, please see our guidance:

For more information, speak to our LISS DTP Partnerships Coordinator, Katie Hale liss-dtp@kcl.ac.uk

Internship & Placement Testimonials

Estera Boncea

Estera Boncea

Internship Host: The Healthcare Improvement Studies Institute

“The internship was a brilliant opportunity for one-to-one discussions about qualitative research methods, my findings and theoretical frameworks with experts, who were also able to provide me with advice on my PhD and wider career goals.

As a result of working within the THIS Institute team, I feel better able to navigate the process of turning raw findings into readily digestible, high-impact evidence for policy and practice in my own research.

The internship has been enriching for my PhD thesis in so many ways. Gaining research experience in an independent research institute and understanding how this context differs from a university has also been very informative for my career direction.”

 SIOFRA PEEREN

Siofra Peeren

Internship Host: The Home Office

“The internship allowed me network with key stakeholders for my research topic and enhanced my ability to communicate complex findings in a way that has impact and is accessible to a diverse audience – a transferrable skill that will benefit me in my career post-PhD.”

“I also believe that being able to say that I worked as a government social researcher on my CV will help me stand apart from others when applying for future jobs.”

“As an experience, it was also wonderful to feel part of a team.”

CONSTANCE SCHÉRÉ

Constance Schéré

Internship Host: The League for the Protection of Birds (LPO)

“Working with the LPO during this internship has helped me grow as a marine scientist and has introduced me to various people in the marine environment with whom I could collaborate on future projects someday.

The internship has definitely made an impact on both my PhD research and my future career. For my PhD research, it has provided me with an alternative approach to MPA management from the UK and Irish approaches. It was also an important learning experience to work on a project outside of academia to have an idea of what options are available after graduation.”

 KATHERINE CROFT-GIBBONS

Katherine Croft-Gibbons

Internship Host: Development, Concepts and Doctrines Centre (DCDC)

“I found the internship to be extremely valuable, gaining useful experience of policy-focused research and an insight into how such research is used by government. The report I completed will be shared with government representatives and used towards DCDC publications, so I feel that my research will have some impact. I also received training in red teaming and scenario planning which I hope will benefit my academic work going forwards. I now have access to a professional network through DCDC which can only help in my next career steps.

I enjoyed the break from my PhD research and feel that I returned to it with more perspective on my project.”