Junior Research Associate bursary scheme (JRA)

The pioneering Junior Research Associate bursary enables talented and ambitious undergraduates interested in pursuing an academic career after graduation to experience a taste of life as a researcher during the summer months. Students are supervised by some of the University’s top researchers in subject areas as diverse as literature, quantum physics and biology. In 2012, 22 students received £1,800 each to support them in their work.

Image gallery: Junior Research Associates (JRAs)

Human Science student Katherine Fensome spent the summer on the Downs, recording flower species for a survey of wildflower forage for bees – part of research being conducted in the University’s Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects JRA James Sayers research into fine-tuning lasers used in quantum physics research and developing a new 'cool' laser Junior Research Associate (JRA) student Emily Lewis, studying the relationship between eye movements and memory. Junior Research Associate Nick Skidmore researched Rudyard Kipling's correspondence, pictured here at Bateman’s the author’s Sussex home. Chemistry student Melvyn Ansell took part in molecular research in the lab as part of wider research at Sussex into the chemistry of greenhouse gases JRA recipient Ross Robinson researched queer genealogies in digital media JRA Amanda Kuepfer has been working in the Laboratory of Apiculture and Social Insects (LASI), to better understand landscapes that encourage honey bees

Claudia's student perspective

Claudia Cockrell‘Taking part in the Junior Research Associate (JRA) bursary scheme was an invaluable experience for me. Not only did the scheme generously fund me to spend the summer studying the works of the local English surrealist poet Edward James and his patronage of Salvador Dalí, it's also put me in a strong position when applying for future funding within academia or applying for research posts.

‘Over the course of the scheme, I refined many of the research skills that I’d developed as a second-year undergraduate. From travelling to access rare archives to interviewing key academics, my ability to widen and organise my research strengthened. All in all, the JRA scheme was a brilliant opportunity as I was paid to research something I was interested in, all the while gaining valuable skills and experience!’

Claudia Cockrell
Junior Research Associate