PIPS Search and Process
The PIPS placement is a 3-month opportunity designed to provide work experience in a professional, non-academic environment, with a project that must be unrelated to your research field. Please note the following requirements for the placement:
- Non-Academic Setting: The placement cannot involve a research project in an academic environment, even if the project area is different from your current research.
- Field Independence: The placement project must be outside the field of your research expertise.
- Timing: The PIPS placement cannot be scheduled during the thesis writing period.
The primary goal of this experience is to broaden your perspective as an early career researcher by exposing you to diverse career paths and helping you understand the broader context in which your research may be applied. This placement aims to enhance your skills, adaptability, and awareness of professional opportunities beyond academia.
Arranging a PIPS placement
The PIPS process is designed to be student-led, giving you the flexibility to find and arrange a placement that best aligns with your goals and interests. This could mean exploring a field related to a potential career path or diving into a completely new area to gain fresh perspectives.
Ultimately, it’s up to you and your chosen host organisation to collaborate and negotiate the nature of the placement, ensuring it provides valuable experience and benefits to both parties. Support for arranging your PIPS placement is also available from the PIPS administrator, who can provide guidance throughout the process. Additionally, we encourage you to discuss potential options with your supervisory team, as they can offer insights and advice to help identify placements that align with your goals and interests.
Finding your PIPS
Here are three main ways to identify a PIPS placement:
- Find Your Own Placement: Consider exploring opportunities in sectors that interest you, connecting with professionals, and reaching out directly to organisations that align with your career goals. You are welcome to arrange your own PIPS with an organisation that hasn’t previously hosted a placement. Your supervisor may also have industry contacts, or you may have connections through other networks that could be useful. Speaking with students who have completed their PIPS can provide valuable insights, and LinkedIn is a great resource for networking and finding opportunities. If you need help contacting an organisation or following up on leads, please reach out to the PIPS administrator for support.
- Advertised PIPS Opportunities: Check for PIPS-specific placements that may already be established and advertised through our programme or associated networks. A range of PIPS opportunities are circulated to students on an ad-hoc basis throughout the year, so be sure to monitor your email for these updates, as each opportunity will have its own application instructions. You can find the most recently advertised PIPS opportunities [here].
- Approach Previous PIPS Host Organisations: Consider reaching out to organisations that have previously hosted PIPS students, as they may be interested in offering similar placements again. Reviewing the list of past host organisations could also provide useful inspiration. If you decide to approach one of these organisations, please approach them thoughtfully, as they may or may not be in a position to host another PIPS student at this time. If you have any uncertainties or need guidance, don’t hesitate to contact the PIPS administrator for support.
Each of these options can be a great way to secure a placement tailored to your career aspirations.