Launch of the 2009 Policy Placements (previously parliamentary fellowships)

Policy Placements are aimed at BBSRC-funded PhD students in their penultimate or final year of funded study who are interested in science policy and government. The placement provides the opportunity to spend three months working at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology in Westminster, the Members’ Research Service at the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliament Information Centre or the Royal Society Science Policy Centre. During their placement, successful applicants may be involved in a range of activities, including producing a POSTnote or similar briefing paper, assisting a select committee in an inquiry, producing a response to a consultation, contributing to a major report or researching potential projects.

As part of the placement, BBSRC provides a fully-funded three month extension to the PhD, as well as paying for any additional rent and / or travel costs accrued. For more details on the placement, including how to apply, please see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/business/people_information/policy_placements.html

This scheme provides an exciting opportunity for PhD students to experience the workings of government and gain an insight into how policy is formed. I would be very grateful if you could pass these details on to all BBSRC-funded students within your department, noting that the deadline for applications is 30 September.