What is Pathways to Scientific Laboratories?
Do you want to gain experience supporting scientific analysis, investigation, research and development in one of the University of Exeter’s laboratories? Employers value pre-entry experience in a laboratory, as it not only demonstrates your familiarity with lab procedures but shows your commitment and interest in the field.
Pathways to Scientific Laboratories offers the opportunity for students across all disciplines to gain valuable experience supporting one of the university's laboratories. If you are accepted onto the programme, you will attend a 4-day training course where you will learn the essential skills and knowledge in Health and Safety and what to expect when working alongside scientists and technicians. There will also be the opportunity to gain an insight into the career paths available in this industry plus learn about topics prevalent in the industry. You will then complete a 35 hour internship in one of the university's laboratories.
The interactive programme comprises of 2 key elements:
- Employer-led training - 4 days of technical and employability training.
- Paid internship - You will undertake a 35 hour paid internship within one of the university's laboratories
"After undertaking my Science Labs professional placement, I felt much more confident and excited about planning my future career and deciding on the graduate jobs the University have to offer. Both the training and internship was extremely useful and were organised with the students' interests in mind, making each day engaging and interesting. I would highly recommend this to anyone considering a career in science or trying to expand their network in their field of interest." - Lucy Lewis (BSc Human Sciences)
Please note, it has now been confirmed this programme will not be running in 2023. We hope to run the programme again in the future, and you can register your interest here.
- Gain an insight into working in a laboratory
- Increase knowledge of sector specific activities
- Learn in an interactive and experiential environment
- Work with students from different year groups, subjects and levels of degree
- Be inspired by experienced professionals
- Gain confidence in your abilities
- Develop your career plan
- Culminates in an essential work experience, undertaking a paid internship within a laboratory
- This activity counts towards the Exeter Award
- Receive a certificate
We welcome applications from all disciplines and levels of study from first year to final year, undergraduate or postgraduate as long as you can demonstrate a keen interest in this subject area. However, please see full eligibility criteria below:
Student status
- You must be a current University of Exeter student when you apply for and take part in the programme.
- Students from any campus can apply for this pathway, however when reviewing the available internships, please take into consideration your current location and the campus the labs are located on.
- If you have previously completed the Pathways to Scientific Laboratories programme, please note you are not eligible to apply again. However you are welcome to apply for a different Pathway.
- If you are an interrupted student, you will not have current student status and are therefore ineligible to apply for Professional Pathways.
- If you are a full-time Postgraduate student, you are limited to working a maximum of 6 hours per week, however if you are able to gain supervisor approval to complete both the training and the 35 hour internship, you will be able to undertake the Pathways programme. You will need to seek approval if you are successful at the assessment centre stage.
- If you are a part-time Postgraduate student, you are limited to working a maximum of 18.25 hours per week, so would need to split your 35 hours across two weeks, unless you get supervisor approval to work full-time (35 hours) in one week. You will need to seek approval if you are successful at the assessment centre stage.
Right to Work (RTW)
- You must have the right to work in the UK at the point the programme commences and this must cover both the training and the internship taking place.
- In order to expedite the right to work checking process, you will be asked to provide your right to work evidence at the application stage. Please refer to the List of acceptable documents for right to work checks.
- If you have been employed by the University within the last 12 months and provided your right to work evidence, this should still be up-to-date and you would not need to provide it again. You can declare this to us at the application stage.
- For more information about Right to Work please see the eClaims webpages.
International, EU and EEA students
- You must have the right to work in the UK at the point the programme commences and this must cover both the training and the internship taking place. Depending on your visa restrictions, if you are successful onto the programme, we will advise the lab managers to accommodate part-time hours across two weeks, if needed.
Please note, it has now been confirmed this will not be running as a Pathway programme in 2023. We hope to run Pathways to Scientific Laboratories again in the future, and you can register your interest here.
Students selected onto the programme undertake 4 days of training delivered at the University of Exeter, Streatham Campus.
The training will equip you with the skills, specialist knowledge and preparatory support needed for undertaking your paid 35 hour lab-based internship.
Training topics will be confirmed nearer the time and are subject to change, but may include:
- Career talks from alumni and current staff
- Health and Safety training
- Lab etiquette
- Maintaining sterile conditions
- Working in an animal facility
- Quality control
- Plus lab tours and an external site visit
If selected onto the programme, you will undertake a paid 35 hour internship in one of the university's laboratories, supporting the laboratory managers, academic staff and research students. Duties will vary depending on the lab you are based in. Internships will take place after your training has been completed and before the end of July. All work will be undertaken in-person on the relevant campus. Internships will be available in a range of laboratories across the Streatham, St Luke's and Penryn campuses.
To give you an idea of the work you could be involved in, internships were available in the following labs for our 2022 programme:
The salary of £12.22 per hour (includes £10.90 basic hourly rate + £1.32 holiday pay) for this 35 hour internship will be paid by the University of Exeter.
On the application form you will be asked to select two preferences of laboratories you would like to work in. You will need to consider your current location and the location of the lab internships on offer when choosing your preferences as we are unable to provide support in funding and sourcing accommodation. At the shortlisting stage you will then be considered for both selected opportunities. You will be expected to make contact with your line manager prior to starting your internship.
Quotes from former Pathways to Scientific Laboratories students:
"It was a great week- I developed many vital lab skills and learnt how to use different techniques and equipment, all of which makes me feel more confident for applying to roles in the future!" - Lola Webb (BSc Biological Sciences with Professional Placement)
"The Pathways to Scientific Laboratories programme was an excellent experience to find out more about research and technician roles in labs, how a variety of labs are run to accommodate the research carried out at the university, and to gain experience in lab skills, and I would highly recommend it!" - Kelly Jones (MSci Conservation Biology and Ecology)
"A very useful internship that prepares you for a future career within a laboratory setting by allowing you to gain necessary experience needed for these roles." - Eleanor Torpy (BSc Marine Biology)
"After undertaking my Science Labs professional placement, I felt much more confident and excited about planning my future career and deciding on the graduate jobs the University have to offer. Both the training and internship was extremely useful and were organised with the students' interests in mind, making each day engaging and interesting. I would highly recommend this to anyone considering a career in science or trying to expand their network in their field of interest." - Lucy Lewis (BSc Human Sciences)
If you would like to ask any questions, please contact the Pathways team at: professionalpathways@exeter.ac.uk