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Overview

  • Applications closed 20 June 2021.

About the scheme

The scheme will allow N8 AgriFood doctoral students to apply for a three-month placement at POST to gain valuable policy experience.

The successful candidate will work at POST for three months to produce a POSTnote or POSTbrief, from start to finish. This includes scoping the topic, conducting interviews with senior stakeholders from across academia, government, industry and the not-for-profit sector, then drafting, editing and finalising the document.

By the end of your time at POST, you will have learnt how to write for policy makers with balance, impartiality and succinctness. You will also have developed a unique understanding of Westminster, forged important relationships with key stakeholders, and delved into a novel and exciting topic of research.

Who is eligible

We are seeking applications from current doctoral students registered at one of the N8 Universities (Durham, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield and York) working in an area of agri-food research.

Due to the 3-month timing limit of this internship N8 AgriFood are unable to accept part-time applications.

The internship will begin in October 2021.

How to apply

It is important that you download and read the application pack before applying, as it contains more details on the role, application process, and assessment criteria.

Download the application pack

Applicants should submit:

  • A completed application form.
  • An approval form, which has been completed by your PhD Supervisor and Head of Department.
  • A two-page briefing on a topic that you think would be of current interest to Parliamentarians. The briefing should be completed using the briefing template and should not contain your name or any other identifying details. We want you to use the briefing template and ensure your work is not identifiable in order to make the process as fair and unbiased as possible. Please see the application pack for the two-page briefing assessment and some tips for writing it.

Download the two-page briefing template

Download the approval form

Please email your two-page briefing and completed approval form to Anthonia James, Operations Director at N8 Agrifood (anthonia.james@n8agrifood.ac.uk).

Applications will undergo an initial sift on the basis of the two-page briefing.

The deadline for applications is 23:59, 20 June 2021. Interviews will be held on Monday 5th July.

Funding arrangements

If a stipend will not be provided to the successful applicant via their current studentship, then a stipend will be provided at the UKRI rate (£15,009 per annum) for the 3-month internship period. Additional funds (up to £3k maximum) will be made available for the costs of travel and accommodation during the internship.

Download the application pack

If you have a question that is not answered in the application pack or our frequently asked questions page, please contact Jonathan Wentworth, Environment Adviser at POST (wentworthj@parliament.uk) or Anthonia James, Operations Director at N8 Agrifood (anthonia.james@n8agrifood.ac.uk).

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