At a Glance
- Tasks: Support high-profile visits and engage with senior stakeholders at a leading science campus.
- Company: Join the Science and Technology Facilities Council, a top research organisation in Europe.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible hours, and excellent learning opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with dedicated support for your career development.
- Why this job: Gain hands-on experience and insight into national science strategy while building your skills.
- Qualifications: Must be a full-time university student with strong communication and organisational skills.
The predicted salary is between 18600 - 26000 £ per year.
Salary: £23,493 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed Term – 12 weeks
Hours: Full-time
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
Closing date: 8th March 2026
Interview: Virtually via Microsoft Teams in April 2026
Start date: June 2026
Are you looking for a summer placement that puts you right at the heart of a world leading science campus? This role offers a unique opportunity to help deliver high profile visits from senior government, industry leaders and key partners, giving you behind the scenes access to some of the UK’s most exciting scientific facilities. You’ll play a hands‑on role in shaping these engagements while building your confidence, organisational skills and insight into how national science strategy is developed and communicated.
Our Strategy, Planning and Communications (SPC) Directorate brings together the essential functions that are needed to help shape, communicate and monitor progress against STFC’s strategic plans. Our role is to enable the organisation to determine its strategic direction and translate this into a coherent set of plans, communicating these across the organisation. In SPC, open communication and mutual support are encouraged. We are always looking to build positive change in our Directorate: our teams cultivate a safe environment and are ambitious in our actions to challenge inequities when we find them.
This placement will sit within the Partnerships and Insights (P&I) team within SPC. This team focuses on strategic partnership development for STFC, with key partners including those within HM Government, Higher Education Institutions, Public Sector Research Establishments, and the wider UKRI ecosystem. P&I gathers insight on behalf of STFC and ensures that this insight is co‑ordinated across the organisation, to maximise strategic opportunities. The placement student will be supported to work across the team and develop their skills in a range of environments and contexts with a primary focus on delivering on campus engagements with senior stakeholders.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- Supporting the delivery of on‑campus engagements from senior stakeholders and STFC partner organisations including organising scheduling meetings, organising meeting rooms, catering for key strategic engagements and supporting the on‑the‑day engagement delivery.
- Supporting with the development of the P+I portal – the team’s repository of information and insights to support and develop our engagement with our strategic partners. This will include updating key staff members biographies and facility information, for use in strategic engagement briefings.
- Administrative support for members of the P+I team in delivering the wider programme of activities according to current priorities.
- Working collaboratively with other members of the P+I team and SPC, to include attending team and directorate meetings, shadowing members of staff, and observing strategic engagements.
Person Specification:
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I). In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:
- Essential: You are in full time education at university, and will be returning to university/your studies to complete your undergraduate degree once the summer placement has concluded (S)
- You have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S)
- Good communication skills, ability to create clear and concise written documents such as emails, reports and memos (S/I)
- Ability to be proactive and make informed decisions, knowing when to seek guidance from others (S/I)
- Able to work collaboratively; committed to working effectively with others towards a shared goal (S/I)
- Good planning, time management, organisational skills with an attention to detail (S/I)
- Strong digital literacy, with experience in using Word, Excel, Outlook and SharePoint (S/I)
- Willingness to lead on work that falls within scope, such as collating and preparing a range of materials (S/I)
Employee Benefits:
We are offering a fixed term position with a whole host of benefits including:
- 30 days holiday pro rata
- Flexible working hours.
- Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
- Excellent learning and development opportunities.
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status, we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.
Application Guidance:
Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate. Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert. Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
What could you achieve with the world‑leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what’s possible!
Stakeholder Engagement Summer Placement in Harwell employer: UKRI
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique summer placement at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Harwell, Oxfordshire, where you will engage with senior stakeholders and contribute to high-profile scientific initiatives. With a strong emphasis on employee development, flexible working hours, and a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation, STFC provides an enriching environment for students eager to gain hands-on experience in a world-leading science campus. Join us to be part of a team that not only values your contributions but also invests in your growth and future career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Stakeholder Engagement Summer Placement in Harwell
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research STFC and its projects. This will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role. Plus, it gives you some great talking points when you're networking.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Set up mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you get comfortable with common questions and refine your answers. Remember, confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Network like a pro! Connect with current or past employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have. You never know, they might even put in a good word for you!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, you’ll be able to keep track of your application status easily. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Stakeholder Engagement Summer Placement in Harwell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the role. Highlight how your skills and experiences align with the essential criteria mentioned in the job description. We want to see your personality shine through while keeping it professional!
Show Off Your Communication Skills:Since good communication is key for this role, use your application to demonstrate your ability to create clear and concise written documents. Whether it's your CV or cover letter, make sure everything is easy to read and well-structured.
Be Proactive in Your Application:Don’t just list your experiences; explain how they’ve prepared you for this placement. Show us that you’re proactive and can make informed decisions. We love candidates who take the initiative!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at STFC!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Stakeholder Engagement Summer Placement role. Familiarise yourself with the key duties and responsibilities, especially around organising engagements and supporting the P&I team. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
Since good communication is essential for this role, prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in past experiences. Whether it's through emails, reports, or presentations, be ready to discuss how you can create clear and concise documents that align with the expectations of the STFC.
✨Demonstrate Proactivity and Teamwork
Think of instances where you've taken the initiative or worked collaboratively towards a shared goal. The interviewers will be looking for candidates who can make informed decisions and seek guidance when necessary, so be prepared to share specific examples that highlight these skills.
✨Be Organised and Detail-Oriented
Given the emphasis on planning and organisational skills, come prepared to discuss how you manage your time and tasks. You might want to mention any tools or methods you use to stay organised, as well as how you ensure attention to detail in your work, especially when preparing materials for strategic engagements.
