WP Intern – Engineering – 2026 in North East

We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long‑term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role. If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk.

Purpose of the Role

We are seeking a current undergraduate or postgraduate student to support a widening participation project within the Department of Engineering. It is broadly expected that the intern will focus on data analysis and on developing resources. This is an excellent opportunity for a student interested in educational development, equity in higher education, or student support work. The role is anticipated to run for 8–12 weeks.

Key Responsibilities

• Under instruction from colleagues in the department and following appropriate training:
• Develop experience and skills from working in a real‑world research environment
• Contribute specific skills (i.e., technical, research, subject‑specific knowledge) to the research work of the department
• Plan and prioritise own work, adhering to agreed deliverables and timeframes and referring any issues with workload or timeframes to colleagues

More specifically:

• 15 years of anonymised departmental data (admissions, progression and outcomes)
• Support examining public data available, e.g., school details, POLAR and TUNDRA quintiles
• Explore experiences of transition, academic skills development, belonging, and barriers to success
• Synthesise findings into a clear report with actionable recommendations
• Develop practical student‑facing resources
• Possible outputs include: peer study guides, placement preparation toolkit, "what I wish I’d known" transition guide, or academic skills resources, training videos
• Help design content for an 'Engineering Headstart' session for incoming students
• Draw on student voice research and student feedback to ensure content addresses real student concerns

Person Specification

• Current undergraduate or postgraduate student at Durham University
• Interest in student support, educational development, or equity in higher education
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to work independently and manage own time effectively
• Sensitivity when discussing personal experiences and backgrounds
• Experience in a STEM subject (engineering, maths, physics, computing, or related)
• Familiarity with qualitative research methods
• The department encourages applications from students with personal experience of widening participation characteristics (e.g., first‑generation student, state school, care‑experienced, low‑income background)

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and a brief cover letter (max 1 page) explaining your interest in the role and relevant experience according to the criteria above. This role is funded through Durham University's Widening Participation Fund as part of a pilot collaboration with the Schools Outreach and Widening Participation Team (SOWP).

Remuneration

This role attracts a rate of pay of £13.45 per hour (real living wage rate). It is expected that you will work between 10 and 20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks (approximately 160 hours in total).

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement: Not Applicable.