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We organise a range of hands-on ways for researchers to develop new skills, network with employers and industry partners, and gain valuable experience for your CV.
We organise a variety of practical ways for you to get hands-on experience working outside of academia. Each of these short-term opportunities offers you the chance to explore new options and ways of working, to develop and demonstrate a wide range of transferable skills, to network with potential employers, and to gain tangible experience for your CV.
Internships and vacancies
The vacancies section on myUCLCareers hosts huge numbers of live internships and vacancies, and if you use the ‘Researchers' filter you’ll find those specifically aimed at researchers, or where the recruiter is keen to receive applications from those with a research background. Some of these internships have been sourced by our team and are available exclusively to UCL researchers.
Hackathons
These day-long events see groups of early-career UCL researchers working in teams on real-world problems set in colllaboration with an industry employer. Each hackathon is unique, with some focusing on data or specific areas of scientific innovation, while others involve tackling more general business problems. They all require teamworking, communication, innovation, problem-solving and presentation skills, and they all offer the opportunity to network with company representatives and other UCL researchers. At the end of each hackathon, groups will present their recommendations to the industry partner, and receive feedback for their future development.
We run several hackathons a year, so look out for adverts in our regular Researcher Careers newsletters, where we’ll tell you who the employer is and what the problem involves, as well as how to sign up.
Consultancy Challenge
Our Consultancy Challenge is perfect for early-career researchers considering moving beyond academia, especially those exploring the consulting sector, or hoping to take on consulting projects alongside their academic work. This week-long programme begins with a full day’s training in consultancy skills, before groups of researchers spend a week putting this training into practice, working together on a real-world industry partner's problem, culminating in presentations and feedback. This is a chance to develop new skills, contacts and understanding, to learn how your existing skills can be useful beyond academia, and to get tangible consulting experience on your CV.
Our Consultancy Challenge takes place every summer – usually in July – so keep an eye out for details and calls for applications in our May and June Researcher Careers newsletters.
We also work with UCL’s Volunteering Service on their annual Consultancy Challenge, which takes place every June, where researchers work alongside undergraduate and Masters students on problems set by London-based charities. See the Volunteering Service website for more details.
Contact
If you represent an organisation who would like to collaborate on a hackathon, consultancy challenge or internship opportunity for UCL researchers, please contact Sylwia (s.wasiak@ucl.ac.uk) to discuss the possibilities.
If you’re a UCL researcher who would like to be informed of upcoming hackathons and consultancy challenge projects, please register your interest with Sylwia (s.wasiak@ucl.ac.uk).