Undergraduate summer studentships

For the first time, Black in Plant Science (BiPS) are offering Black undergraduate students from universities across the UK the opportunity to undertake a research experience placement at a UK university or research institution of their choice.

About the studentships

Supported by The Gatsby Foundation and The Plant Journal, this paid studentship will provide you with hands-on experience of research in plant science. 

All placements will run in summer 2024, culminating with a written report on the student experience, which will be published on the Black in Plant Science website.

The successful student will also be invited to attend and present at the first BiPS Conference.

Successful students will be paid £380 per week for a studentship period of 6 weeks. Each award also includes £400 for costs to run the research. Further research expenses are not offered under this scheme.

The BiPS Studentship aims to encourage students to consider a career in plant sciences by providing funding to support paid summer placements for Black undergraduate students.

These Studentships will address the lack of Black and Black heritage researchers in the UK plant science community.

In addition, these Studentships are designed to encourage undergraduates from across the sciences to consider a career in plant science.

Successful students will be supported by the BiPS committee to identify and connect with a host laboratory and supervisor. It is therefore essential that you include areas of research in which you are interested within your application.

Students can also apply to work with a selected supervisor, who has already agreed to host them. However, this is not required to be successful.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a placement, you should:

· Self-identify as Black or Black heritage

· Be in the middle years of your first degree;

· Be registered for a science degree at a UK university;

· Either have home status or be an EU/international applicant with evidence of the right to work in the UK;

Preference will be given to students who wish to use the placement to find out more about their suitability and aptitude for postgraduate plant science research.

How to apply

You can apply for this role by filling out the online application form or completing and sending a downloadable application form to blackinplantsci@gmail.com.

As part of your application, please also send your CV and a covering letter to blackinplantsci@gmail.com.

If you have planned to undertake the placement in a research laboratory, please provide a letter of support from the head of the lab. Otherwise, you’ll be offered alternative options with trusted plant researchers in the UK.

The deadline for applications is Friday 31 May 2024.

About Black in Plant Science 

The Black in Plant Science (BiPS) network aims to connect, celebrate, and cultivate existing and aspiring UK-based Black researchers working with plants. Their goal is to promote the creation of inclusive environments where everyone can participate equally, where everyone’s voice matters and where everyone benefits.

The Plant Journal

The Plant Journal (TPJ) provides a dynamic forum for the ever-growing international plant sciences research community and publishes in all key areas of plant biology. The Plant Journal is published in association with the Society for Experimental Biology.

The Gatsby Foundation

The Gatsby Foundation aims to support the best fundamental plant science research in the UK, particularly in the areas of pathology and development.