Employ.ed for PhDs

PhD internships are increasingly popular in today’s competitive job market. An internship helps you to: 

• expand your skill set beyond the skills you are acquiring as a doctoral researcher 
• establish a valuable network outside of your department or institution 
• gain experience in a workplace or industry that’s new to you 

The Employ.ed for PhDs programme is just one way to find an internship. For other suggestions, and advice on how to gain the maximum benefit from your internship, see the resources below. 

Employ.ed for PhDs 

 The Careers Service, with various University of Edinburgh departments and external employers, runs the Employ.ed for PhDs internship programme. These opportunities are designed to enhance your skills, attributes and employability. They are: 

• open to all matriculated University of Edinburgh PhD students 
• project based fixed-term contracts 
• paid at University of Edinburgh Grade 5 (entry level) rate 
• between 4 and 12 months in length 
• no more than 9 hours per week for a full-time student 

Further information on the average 9 hours per week limit 

University's pay scales

“The job itself has been a welcome relief from the daily intensity of doing research as a PhD student, whilst also giving me a chance to use my research skills for a different purpose. The flexible working hours have allowed me to work round the demands of my PhD. It has been an ideal way to earn some money, under flexible and supportive working conditions within a university setting, applying some of the research and organisational skills I possess.” 

Employ.ed for PhDs student intern 

Previous projects have included: 

• Communications PhD Intern with the Institute for Academic Development 
• Technology Transfer with Edinburgh Innovations 
• Sustainable Business Models for Online Learning with Information Services 
• Research Impact Tracking with Moray House School of Education & Sport 

Hear from a previous Employ.ed For PhDs intern, Frances Rowbottom: Broadening my horizons with an Employ.ed for PhDs internship – Inform.ed

How to apply 

Internships are advertised on the University’s student jobs portal. Search for ‘Employ.ed for PhDs’. 

University's student jobs portal   

You need to upload a CV and Covering Letter for each internship you want to apply to. All opportunities close at 11:59pm UK time. 

PhD Internship: Professional and Career Development Toolkit

If you are taking part in the Employ.ed for PhDs programme you will be given access to the PhD Internship: Professional and Career Development Toolkit, designed to maximise your internship experience. The toolkit is divided into three sections—Getting Started, Half-way Point, and Moving On. Each section provides tips and resources tailored to support you at that specific stage of your internship. The toolkit provides guidance and space to set goals and is an excellent resource for tracking your learning and development. 

If you are not taking part in an Employ.ed for PhDs internship but feel the toolkit would be useful to you, as you are completing an internship outside of the programme, you can request access via this link: PhD Internship: Professional and Career Development Toolkit - Home. Access will be granted within 3 working days; for delays, contact employ.ed@ed.ac.uk.

If you want to find out more information about the toolkit before requesting access, watch the introduction video below. 

Questions?

For more information about PhD internships contact the Internships and Work Experience Team: 

Employ.ed@ed.ac.uk