Placements & Internships
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:
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- For students DTP1 students (funding commenced before October 2024): Funded Extension Schemes
- For DTP2 students (funding commenced from October 2024): Funded Extension Schemes
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For more information, speak to our LISS DTP Partnerships Coordinator, Katie Hale liss-dtp@kcl.ac.uk