Research Experience Placements Scheme

The NERC Research Experience Placement (REP) scheme is aimed at addressing the shortage of individuals with quantitative skills coming into environmental science. REPs provide an opportunity for undergraduate students in quantitative disciplines to engage in active research projects, enhancing their skills and gaining valuable experience of what it is like to be a postgraduate researcher in the environmental sciences.

Placement details

The NEXUSS CDT is offering two, 8-10 week placements across the partnership to be completed over the summer period (17 June – 25 Sept 2019). REPs are open to undergraduate students from across the UK and include a salary for work on supervised staff‑defined research projects.

Funding

The REPs will provide a salary, paid at no less than the minimum wage rate. The hourly rate may differ depending on the location of the placement, as employment procedures and processes will vary at each institution.

Hours per week may vary based on location, but the placement will be over a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 10 weeks.

Supervisors may wish to find funds to top up cost in salary, and/or, for a Research and Training Support Grant (RTSG) if the project requires it. Total funding for individual REPs will be capped at £2500 and any additional costs incurred by the host organisation must be met from within research budgets.

Summary of Responsibilities

Supervisors are responsible for:

• Supervising the student throughout the course of the project.
• Providing the appropriate training for the safe and successful completion of the project.
• Ensuring adequate space and equipment is available to complete the project.
• Arranging all necessary requirements for student employment status within their organisation/department/faculty etc.
• Providing the REP Final Report Form back to the NEXUSS CDT team within one week after the completion of the placement (to be completed in conjunction with the student).

Students are responsible for:

• Arranging their accommodation while in the placement.
• Committing to engaging fully with the research project and maintain contact with the supervisor over the full term of the project.
• Providing the REP Final Report Form back to the NEXUSS CDT team within one week after the completion of the placement (to be completed in conjunction with the project supervisor).

Application Process

Supervisors

Supervisors from across the NEXUSS CDT partnership should submit their proposals electronically to nexuss@soton.ac.uk using the REP Supervisor Proforma (below). Projects will be accepted up until the 11 March 2019.

Supervisors should clearly state the amount requested and the duration of the project.

Research Projects - The proposed REP projects must:

• Have a clearly defined objective.
• Be within the science remit of NERC (http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/portfolio/remit/)
• Be suitable for a student feasibly to complete within the timescale of the award.
• Include more than purely a computer/modelling component i.e. some element of fieldwork, data collection, activity to give an understanding of the wider context etc.
• Give scope for thought and initiative on the part of the student and should not use the student as a general assistant.
• Be based at an eligible UK research organisation.

Projects will be verified for their suitability by the NEXUSS Steering Committee. Project supervisors will be notified of proposal acceptance by 15 March 2019, with projects advertised on the NEXUSS CDT website as soon as approved.

N.B. If your project is accepted the main supervisor or a representative must be available to evaluate the student applications/candidates between 13 - 17 May 2019.

Students

Students should submit a REP Student Proforma (below), a brief CV (no more than 2 pages) and transcripts or tutor statement indicating your mark profile to nexuss@soton.ac.uk.

The following projects now open for application:

 

The deadline for student applications is noon on the 10 May 2019. Applicants who wish to be considered before a full list of project titles have been made available are welcome to submit an application early and update their list of chosen projects as these become available.

Students will be selected by the NEXUSS Steering Committee and notified by 21 May 2019.

Eligibility of students - Selected students must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for a REP.

The students must:

• Be studying for an undergraduate degree in a quantitative discipline outside of NERC’s scientific remit (http://www.nerc.ac.uk/research/portfolio/remit/) (e.g. mathematics, statistics, computing, engineering,physics).
• Be applying for a placement in a different department to their undergraduate degree.
• Be undertaking their first undergraduate degree studies (or integrated Masters).
• Be expected to obtain a first or upper second class UK honours degree.
• Be eligible for subsequent NERC PhD funding (i.e. UK, EU or right to remain in the UK).

Please note that in order for the applications to be considered you must submit:

1. REP Student Proforma (application form)
2. CV (no more than two pages)
3. And transcript or tutor statement indicating your mark profile to nexuss@soton.ac.uk

Contact

For any further information and guidance please contact the NEXUSS CDT team nexuss@soton.ac.uk