The NERC Research Experience Placement (REP) scheme aims to address both thematic skills gaps as well as demographic and diversity-related challenges in the environmental sciences by offering funding to support paid summer placements for undergraduate students, during which they will carry out research projects within the scope of the environmental sciences. During a REP, an undergraduate joins the hosting organisation for between 6 and 10 weeks to complete a short-term research project within the environmental sciences. We have four REPs on offer for 2021 and we particularly welcome applications from three key areas that represent our identified skills, demographic, and diversity-related challenges:

• Undergraduates who are Black, Chinese, Asian, Arabic, or of another non-white ethnicity
• Undergraduates who are from the first generation in their family to go to university
• Undergraduates currently studying in a quantitative/data-based discipline who are interested in applying their skills within the environmental sciences.

The duration of REPs is between 6 and 10 weeks over the Summer period (mid-June to mid Sept)

Placements will be paid at at least the minimum wage (currently £8.91 per hour) with £500 provided for research costs and can be undertaken full- or part- time.

There are no further funds available for relocation or living expenses and students must be resident in the UK during the placement.

Successful students and supervisors will be required to complete a report on the outcome of the placement.

If you successfully complete an REP with us, and subsequently apply for a PhD with us, you are guaranteed an interview for that PhD.

Students are subject to eligibility criteria to be able to apply for NERC REPs. Selected students must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for a REP. The students must:

• Be undertaking their first undergraduate degree studies (or integrated Masters).
• Be applying for a placement in a different department to their undergraduate degree
• Be eligible for subsequent NERC PhD funding (Details of eligibility for PhD studentships can be found here).

• Ensure that the REP student is fully supervised throughout the project.
• Ensure that adequate space and equipment is available for the REP student to complete the project.
• Provide appropriate training necessary.
• Ensure that all costs are used and accounted for appropriately.
• Ensure that details and assessment of the project are reported to Envision.

• Commit to the complete term of the project (6-10 weeks).
• Engage fully with the research project and maintain contact with supervisor.
• Input into the final REP report to be submitted to Envision DTP.

Applications to this year’s REPs are now closed. We hope to have more placements in 2022. 

In order to be considered for a placement, please apply to the supervisor email on the project details providing the following:

• A cover letter detailing your motivation to apply and the project for which you would like to be considered
• A recent CV
• A reference from your personal tutor
• Please also complete the online EDI form (this form is a mandatory part of the application process, but contains ‘prefer not to say’ options for all questions asked)

Selection process

·  Applications are screened for eligibility (the EDI form is not shared with supervisors)

·  Supervisors nominate candidates for confirmation by the Envision panel

Candidates will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Fit to project
• Enthusiasm for environmental research
• Potential interest in research career
• Fit to identified skills gaps, demographic, and/or diversity-related challenges

Successful candidates will be informed by 14^th June