Work experience
Whether you are a local school or college looking to arrange work experience for your students, or a university student from an external institution, find all the information about work experience in the School of Life Sciences.
Information for schools and colleges
For 2023-24 academic year we can offer work experience to A-level students working with the Chemistry and Biology technical teams. Research lab placements are not available.
What's on offer
We are now accepting work experience applications for the academic year 2023-24 in the following subject areas.
- Biosciences
Role
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted role of a life science teaching technician, while honing skills under the guidance of professionals – preparing you for both higher education and the workplace.
Throughout the placement, there will be opportunities to engage in a diverse array of activities that give a taste of the roles and responsibilities of a lab technician.
Experience
You will gain insight and experience into the processes and techniques required to prepare and deliver practical experiments from start to finish.
Skills
You will gain hands-on experience in risk assessment, equipment and reagent preparation, and valuable engagement with technicians who will develop a diverse array of skills and answer any questions you may have. You will work individually and collaboratively throughout your time with the team, building confidence and knowledge that you can carry into your future career.
- Chemistry
Experience
You will benefit from one-to-one training in advanced laboratory techniques, to prepare for university and the workplace.
Sessions in organic synthesis, analytical chemistry and the use of instrumentation give a real flavour of working in educational and commercial laboratories.
Training is also provided in fundamental aspects of Health and Safety such as building COSHH assessments, using GHS, Control measures and Good Laboratory Practice.
Skills
Working as part of a team and individually, you are encouraged to use your initiative; troubleshooting experiments and making recommendations in response to your results.
In this way, the week expands skills and boosts confidence as budding scientists plan their future careers.
Visiting PhD students and current students
See our information for PhD students visiting from another institution.
Find out what to do if you are a registered University of Sussex Student looking for a work experience opportunity in one of our research labs.
Work experience dates
Our work experience weeks are:
- Monday 24 June to Friday 28 June
- Monday 8 July to Friday 12 July.
Key dates
- Closing date for applications: Wednesday 31 January 2024.
- Successful candidates will be contacted by Thursday 29 February 2024 at the latest.
- We will send out forms for completion by the successful candidate and their School/College Work Experience Coordinator, which we will require back by Friday 29 March 2024.
How to apply
Places are limited and you must apply to us through our full application process.
External university students
If you are a university student studying either a BSc or a Masters degree at another institution, and are interested in gaining experience with us, you can let us know by filling in our expression of interest form.
You should first familarise yourself with our subject specific research. which will give you a flavour of the current research that is taking place at the School.
When submitting your expression of interest form, you will be asked to submit the name of the principal investigator’s laboratory that you are interested in applying to do your work experience in. Places are not guaranteed automatically and are allocated based on eligibility and availability.
Contact
Get in touch: lifesci@sussex.ac.uk.