At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop software tools to enhance research workflows and data quality.
- Company: The Rosalind Franklin Institute, a cutting-edge technology institute transforming healthcare.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, generous pension, hybrid working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with mentoring from experienced engineers and excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience in real-world projects that impact scientific research and healthcare.
- Qualifications: Undergraduate student in computer science or related field, eligible for Year in Industry.
The predicted salary is between 18000 - 25000 £ per year.
The Rosalind Franklin Institute (the Franklin) is a technology institute established by the UK Government as a unique centre committed to advancing tools that are needed to transform healthcare in the future. The Institute brings together researchers in life and physical sciences, and engineering, to develop a spectrum of tools which we will use to image, interpret and intervene in biological systems. These insights will speed up the discovery of new medicines, help find new diagnostics and contribute to a deeper understanding of human health and disease. Our Science Strategy seeks to focus the Franklin’s research and unite our researchers around our Technology Innovation Challenges and Life Science Challenges.
We are offering a Year in Industry placement for a student interested in digital research infrastructure, data systems, and research‑enabling technologies. This role will provide the successful candidate with the opportunity to work on real‑world projects that support researchers, improve data quality, and enhance infrastructure usability.
Examples of potential project areas:
- Tools to assess and improve metadata quality in line with FAIR principles.
- User‑facing dashboards to visualise infrastructure usage and system status.
- Pipelines to extract structured metadata from semi‑structured data sources using LLMs.
Projects are flexible and will be shaped to match the successful candidate’s skills and learning objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing and developing software tools to support research workflows.
- Working with data, metadata, and research infrastructure systems.
- Contributing to both user‑facing and backend systems.
- Translating technical outputs into clear, user‑focused documentation.
- Collaborating with engineers, researchers, and operations teams.
During the placement you will also be expected to:
- Produce clear technical and user‑facing documentation for your work.
- Deliver a presentation or demonstration of your project outcomes.
- Contribute maintainable code or outputs that can be used beyond the placement.
This placement will give you access to:
- Hands‑on experience working with real research infrastructure systems.
- Data‑intensive and research‑driven environments.
- Experience designing software for non‑technical users.
- Insight into how infrastructure supports scientific research.
- Mentoring and support from experienced engineers.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You must currently be an undergraduate student at a university in the United Kingdom, pursuing a computer science or related course.
- You must be enrolled into a degree which allows you to work for a Year in Industry as a placement year.
- You must have the requisite grades to meet your university Year in Industry requirement.
- You must have the legal right to work in the UK. International students studying full‑time in the UK at UK universities may apply, provided they can demonstrate that undertaking a 'year in industry' placement is a formal part of their undergraduate programme and that their student visa or pre‑settled/settled status allows them to undertake full‑time paid work for one year.
In return we offer:
- 25 days holidays plus bank holidays and Christmas holiday shutdown.
- Generous pension scheme (employer’s contribution currently up to 18%).
- Group Life Assurance (also known as Group Life Insurance or Death in Service).
- Buying and Selling Annual Leave.
- Workplace Nursery Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
- Hub building with state‑of‑the‑art laboratories.
- Hybrid and flexible working.
- Training and development opportunities for staff at all levels.
- Bus pass discount scheme and good transport links to Oxford and surrounding areas.
- Cycle to Work Scheme.
- Access to employee discount platform (Perkbox).
- Occupational Health and wellbeing support including Employee Assistance (24/7 support and counselling).
- Health Cash Plan.
- Subsidised canteen and food outlets on campus.
- Free on‑site parking.
- Campus location in beautiful countryside with social and sports clubs open to staff.
The Franklin’s underlying aim is to produce the best science for research today, and this means resolutely embracing a diverse team, who have a wide range of experiences, skills and knowledge to push forward on the innovative work our institution delivers. Both our work and our institution are better for it. For further information, view our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every applicant has an equal opportunity to showcase their talents and abilities. This includes making adjustments for candidates with specific needs. Please contact us at recruitment@rfi.ac.uk to discuss your requirements confidentially.
Please note that whilst we normally welcome applications from all around the world, students studying for degrees at universities outside the UK are not eligible for this programme.
How to Apply:
To be considered for this role, please upload a CV and cover letter explaining why you think you are the right person for this job. The link to apply is provided at the bottom of this page.
Closing date: 23:59 on Sunday 14th June 2026. Applicants should refer to our Candidate Privacy Policy.
Year in Industry: Build Research Data Tools employer: The Rosalind Franklin Institute
The Rosalind Franklin Institute is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for students to engage in meaningful projects that advance healthcare technology. With a strong commitment to employee growth, a supportive work culture, and a range of benefits including generous holidays, flexible working arrangements, and access to state-of-the-art facilities, the Franklin fosters an environment where innovation thrives. Located in the picturesque countryside, employees enjoy a balance of professional development and personal well-being, making it an ideal place for aspiring researchers and technologists.
Contact Details:
The Rosalind Franklin Institute Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Year in Industry: Build Research Data Tools
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or past employees at The Rosalind Franklin Institute on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into their projects. Familiarise yourself with their Technology Innovation Challenges and think about how your skills can contribute. Show them you’re genuinely interested!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your presentation skills! You’ll need to deliver project outcomes, so get comfortable explaining complex ideas in simple terms. Maybe even do a mock presentation with friends.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at The Franklin.
We think you need these skills to ace Year in Industry: Build Research Data Tools
Some tips for your application 🫡
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Make sure to highlight your passion for digital research infrastructure and how your skills align with the projects at the Franklin. Keep it engaging and personal – we want to see your personality!
Tailor Your CV:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor it to showcase your relevant experience and skills that match the role. Highlight any projects or coursework related to data systems or software development, as this will catch our eye.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:We’re looking for candidates who can contribute to both user-facing and backend systems. Be sure to mention any programming languages or tools you’re familiar with, especially those that relate to metadata quality and research workflows.
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates like you!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Rosalind Franklin Institute
✨Know Your Tools
Familiarise yourself with the specific tools and technologies mentioned in the job description. Understand how they relate to research workflows and be ready to discuss your experience or ideas on improving data quality and usability.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare to talk about any relevant projects you've worked on, especially those involving data systems or software development. Highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you contributed to the project's success.
✨Understand FAIR Principles
Brush up on the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) as they are crucial for this role. Be prepared to discuss how you would apply these principles in your work, particularly in relation to metadata quality.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll need to produce user-focused documentation, practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. This will demonstrate your ability to translate technical outputs into clear, understandable documentation for non-technical users.
