Applications to CENTA Research Experience Placements for summer 2023 are now closed. We expect to run the scheme again in summer 2024.
The NERC Research Experience Placement (REP) scheme is intended to encourage students to consider a career in the environmental sciences through funding to support paid summer placements for undergraduate students. Students will carry out research projects within the environmental sciences and should express an interest in pursuing an environmental sciences career.
We particularly welcome applications from student groups that are typically underrepresented within the Higher Education pathways. These could include (but are not limited to) students from ethnic minorities, those with a disability or from low-income backgrounds.
What do I need to know about the Research Experience Placement (REP) Scheme?
- CENTA is normally able to offer approximately 5 – 8 Research Experience Placements each year across our CENTA partner institutions. Please note not all our partner institutions are able to host placements and those partners which do host placements may vary from year to year. (*** The number of placements we are able to offer will also vary each year dependent on the allocation we receive from NERC).
- Projects are advertised internally in those of our partner institutions who are hosting placements. However our ambition for 2023 is to advertise all placements upon this webpage. We expect that applications will be open from early May 2023, with closing dates later in May or in early June.
- The interview and selection process will be undertaken by the host institution, who will notify the successful candidate and put in place the arrangements for the placement. Please check with the host institution for timescales and deadlines.
- Successful candidates will commence their REPs after the end of the undergraduate summer term 2023.
- Duration of the placements will be 6-10 weeks.
- Placements may be carried out on a full-time or part-time basis.
- It is a requirement that all successful candidates complete an online report at the end of their placement.
- Students will be paid the appropriate National Minimum Wage rate (for those 22 and under) or National Living Wage rate (for those 23 and over) and where necessary receive a contribution towards research and training expenses of up to £500 during the placement. There are no further funds available for relocation or living expenses.
General Eligibility of participating undergraduate students
Students are subject to eligibility criteria to be able to apply for NERC REPs and must be:
- Undertaking their first undergraduate degree studies (or integrated Masters).
- Note: students in their final year who have graduated and no longer have student status at the time of the placement start are not eligible.
- Eligible for subsequent NERC PhD funding (see the relevant text in the UKRI Terms and Conditions for Training Grants and associated guidance for further information).
Previous projects – summer 2023
Below you can find details of the projects advertised at our partner institutions for summer 2023. Please note that applications to these projects are now closed.
UKCEH / University of Birmingham: Birmingham summer ammonia pollution monitoring in urban environments
Want to make a difference and learn from atmospheric ammonia experts? At the Birmingham Air Quality Supersite, we’re monitoring urban ammonia concentrations to assess its impact over air quality, yet there are several uncertainties surrounding urban ammonia sources. We’re offering a place for an enthusiastic undergraduate student where you’ll get exceptional research experience and work together with experts in atmospheric science. Come help us unravel urban ammonia emissions!
For the full details on this project please view the project description.
The project is run jointly by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology and the University of Birmingham and will be based at the University of Birmingham.
University of Leicester: 2D and 3-D imaging of melt-bombs formed during asteroid impacts and volcanic eruptions
The University of Leicester have an exciting summer research internship for someone with computer graphic experience, proficient in Blender and Python. Your project will be to work with a team of volcanologists in generating 3D- images of volcanic bombs in Blender that can then be investigated, using Python. The output will be a series of 2D cut-throughs of the images shapes, that can then be compared to 2D scans of real volcanic bombs. There will be an opportunity for you to join one of the team members in doing fieldwork and collecting samples. And you’ll be contributing to funded NERC research along the way. The internship can be timed to start any time after 16th June, and will run for approximately 6 weeks.
For the full details on this project please view the project description.
Loughborough University: Investigating the signature of chemical erosion at Moor House, North Pennines
Loughborough University have an exciting project examining the characteristics of chemical erosion features in two rivers of the North Penines.
For the full details on this project please view the project description.
Loughborough University: The microplastic footprint of aquaculture on the Isle of Skye
Opportunity to gain field and laboratory experience, engage with science in the community, and contribute to research-led policy. Loughborough University have a unique summer research internship for someone with an interest in better understanding society’s impact on the environment. This project will extend the scope of a Loughborough-led community science project to explore how litter has changed on the Isle of Skye over the past 50 years. Fieldwork on Skye followed by laboratory work in Loughborough will collect and analyse environmental samples for microplastic particles. Informed by local knowledges, this project will investigate the contribution of the aquaculture industry to microplastic pollution in coastal waters around Skye and consider its findings in the context of legislation and policy..
For the full details on this project please view the project description.
NCEO / University of Leicester: A laboratory study of nitrous oxide
This is one of two exciting projects from the National Centre for Earth Observation, based at the University of Leicester. The project is available at the NCEO’a new Space Park Leicester site.
For the full details on this project please view the project description.
NCEO / University of Leicester: Developing the UK Observational Network to Monitor Progress Towards Net Zero
This is one of two exciting projects from the National Centre for Earth Observation, based at the University of Leicester. The project is available at the NCEO’a new Space Park Leicester site.
For the full details on this project please view the project description.
Loughborough University: Unlocking the herbarium treasure-chest using Darwin’s ‘beloved Drosera’.
For the full details on this project please view the project description.
Loughborough University: Evaluating the success of reed beds in reducing nutrient loading from treated sewage effluent at Rutland Water Nature Reserve.
For the full details on this project please view the project description.
University of Birmingham: Modelling volcanic carbon emissions
For the full details on this project please view the project description.