UKRI Internships 

RSB policy activity encompasses the work of our education and science policy teams across the biological sciences. The Society’s policy teams work to support and guide the development of policy outputs from the Society. This includes synthesising and communicating evidence-based advice from our community to decision- and policymakers, as well as developing knowledge exchange workshops, events, and policy communications such as our weekly Science Policy Newsletter, which has several thousand subscribers.

We regularly reply to government and national level consultations and inquiries and engage proactively with policy development through the work of our Fellows, committees, and groups. Our individual members and Member Organisations represent a valuable network of expertise and policy interest.

Our policy work spans the biological sciences. Our education policy work focuses on: the curriculum and qualifications for learners aged 5-19 across the UK; teacher training, recruitment and retention; and subject-specific CPD for teachers.

Our science policy work focuses on policy issues relevant across animal, biomedical, plant and environmental sciences, such as the use of genetic technologies, climate change and biodiversity loss, or biological security. Our policy work also has a focus on knowledge exchange and advice to support development of research culture, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and the research landscape (research funding, infrastructure, workforce, and communication).

An internship with the Society will involve the combination of a specific project to be substantially delivered within the period of the placement, along with involvement in ongoing projects and activities of the RSB team. This may involve background research and working with our staff team and members to generate a response to a Government or Parliamentary consultation, or the development of one of our policy events, for example. Opportunities will also be available to get involved in other policy projects and activities (e.g. surveying our membership, assembling one of our newsletters, researching and writing a report or briefing or statement, or organising a workshop) and to join the wider RSB team in organising events such as Voice of the Future and Parliamentary Links Day. In addition to delivering a defined project, the Society will aim to encourage and support our interns' attendance at relevant Parliamentary and charitable events, as well as participation in appropriate external and internal policy workshops, meetings, and discussion groups.

The Society has a busy calendar of committee, task force, and steering group meetings so some experience of working with networks and committees, preparing papers for discussion, and recording committee proceedings, would also be on offer.

Interns receive guidance, training, and help from members of the policy and publications department and across the Society as appropriate to their task. We aim to ensure that internship activity portfolios meet both the interests of the UKRI Research Council applicant and the needs of the Society at the same time.

Though the range of activities available to each intern is often wide and varied, we aim to tailor the programme to the skill set, aims, and interests of the individual. We take particular care to ensure that interns maintain a balance across their activities and feel well supported by the team during their time with us.

Read previous intern Karendeep's interview in The Biologist.

Applications for internships in 2026 are now open until 8 September 2025, 4:00pm UK time. Please visit the UKRI Policy Internships Scheme webpage for more information on how to apply.

Interviews will be held virtually via Zoom. Interns will work standard hours (Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm), and we can accommodate part time and flexible working upon agreement. Interns will work fully remotely, with the opportunity for funded travel to join in-person events and work in our co-working space in London. Some RSB events are held in London but many are held around the UK.