The Royal Institution is a charity that brings the public and scientists together to share their interest and passion for science. We've been doing it for 225 years and have an international reach, working with world-leading scientists, from Hannah Fry to Carlo Rovelli.
We are a home for science and we want everyone to feel welcome. We are keen to find new ways of ensuring everyone can enjoy and benefit from science and we develop critical thinking and a spirit of exploration in young people through our educational work.
In our historic Grade I listed building in Mayfair, discoveries were made that literally changed the world. Today it acts as a base for the Ri team and tenants as well as a busy and vibrant event space for private and corporate events.
So as we grow our activities to bring scientists and the public together, as we continue innovating and experimenting with ways to bring science to life, as we increase our reach and the depth of our engagement, we invite you to join us.
Find out more at The Royal Institution - YouTube
Our vacancies
Our internships
When are PhD internships advertised?
We usually advertise annually in early summer for opportunities for the following year - but opportunities sometimes come up during the year as well so keep an eye out under 'Our Vacancies: Internships' above.
Who can apply for a PhD internship placement?
These placements are for students who are enrolled on a research degree under the Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) programme funded by Research Councils including (but not exclusive to) BBSRC, EPSRC, AHRC, MRC and NERC.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) students, or students funded by the UKRI's research councils, need to obtain the grant holder’s written permission to undertake the placement, outlining any funding arrangements, before a position can be offered.
How long is a PhD internship?
These internships are full-time, for 3 months.
How is the PhD internship funded?
The internship is funded via a stipend from the DTP.
Is there a formal agreement between the Ri and UKRI?
There is no formal agreement in place between RI and UKRI, and each placement will be reviewed by the grant holder and approved at their discretion.
Hear from some of our past PhD interns
Meet our past interns and read about their experiences on our blog:
- In Autumn/Winter 2023/24 Hannah Cooke was our Demo Team intern, James Kavanagh was our Digital intern, and Maya Pidoux was our LYSC intern. See here for a Q&A about all of their PhDs and their experience at the Ri.
- You can also hear more about Maya's experience interning at the LYSC here.
- Jessica Savage was our Science Engagement intern in the L'Oreal Young Scientist Centre (YSC) in 2023, helping to deliver hands on workshops in Physics, Biology and Chemistry.
- Mia Berenson was our Digital Intern in autumn/winter 2022, working on social media and creating an animated video
- Kate Rogerson was our Programmes Assistant for the 2018 CHRISTMAS LECTURES series 'Who am I?' with Alice Roberts
- Matt Greenwell was our Digital Intern in autumn 2018 where he produced social media, video and audio content, including this video on Black Fire that you can watch on YouTube.
- Sarah Madden was our Media Assistant for the 2017 CHRISTMAS LECTURES series 'The Language of Life' with neuroscientist Professor Sophie Scott
Get in touch
If you would like to talk to us about opportunities for undertaking your PhD internship with the Ri, please get in touch at recruitment@ri.ac.uk.
Our fellowships
The Ri and the Philip Freer Trust are awarding three Ri Freer Prize Fellowship for doctoral candidates as writing-up awards for doctoral candidates researching the history of science; history of the Royal Institution; or heritage conservation science.
Volunteering at the Ri
We believe in a world where science is for everyone. As an independent charity with a 200-year heritage of scientific discovery, our mission is to bring scientists and the public together to share their interest and passion for science.
Our volunteers are vital to this work, helping us nourish curiosity and create equitable access to science for people of all backgrounds. Whether you are assisting in our historic Mayfair home or at our outreach programmes and events across the country, you will be part of a vibrant team dedicated to making science part of our culture.
We offer a range of opportunities to suit different interests and schedules and help you develop your skills in science communication and engagement.
- Family Fun Days are high-energy all-day events where volunteers lead hands-on activities—from extracting DNA to launching indoor rockets.
- Masterclasses offer students the chance to explore mathematics and computer science outside the classroom. In these sessions, volunteers support students through hands-on workshops, helping to inspire the next generation of innovators.
- Holiday Workshops run during the school holidays, bringing to life all areas of science – including mathematics, computing and engineering. In these sessions, volunteers support students through hands-on workshops.
- Meet the team and staff members
- How to engage our visitors/ basics of science communications
- Delivering your workshop or activity
- Safeguarding training
- Brief history and tour of the Ri
We are a home for science, and everyone is welcome to join our community. We welcome volunteers ages 16 and over. We provide all the training and activity briefings you need to feel confident in your role; no formal science or teaching qualifications are required.
If you share our passion for discovery and want to help more people engage deeply with science, we would love to hear from you.
Please fill out our volunteering registration form here.
To find out more about volunteering with the Ri or for any questions, please contact us at volunteering@ri.ac.uk.
Staff benefits
We offer an attractive range of benefits is to all our staff for both their work and personal life:
- Competitive basic salary for all roles
- Annual pay reviews, in 2025 most colleagues received at least 3%
- A group pension scheme based on a matched contribution of up to 7% of salary plus salary sacrifice pension option
- Annual leave entitlement of 25 days, plus public holidays
- Potential for additional paid holiday for the period between Christmas and New Year
- Opportunity for hybrid working where business need allows
- Enhanced sickness, maternity, shared parental, paternity and adoption pay
- Interest free season ticket loan available following probation
- Employee Assistance Programme including access to face to face counselling sessions, legal advice and coaching for managers
- Free attendance for employees and one guest at most Ri events
- Flexible working policies
- Annual learning needs assessments through the appraisal process and a commitment to developing our people
- A spacious and well-equipped staff room and kitchen ('The Greenhouse') with large roof garden
- Social activities for the team throughout the year
- 10% discount in Ri Cafe
Information for job seekers
Our mission is to encourage people everywhere to think more deeply about the science and its place in our lives. We are looking for staff who share and support our mission, whatever their professional background or role in the organisation.
We are committed to enhancing the diversity of our workforce and maintaining an environment where diversity is celebrated and everyone is treated fairly.
Equalities Monitoring
All stages of our recruitment process are monitored to ensure equality of opportunity, which is why we ask all candidates to complete an Equalities Monitoring form when applying for roles with us.
The information on our Equalities Monitoring form is only seen by our Human Resources team, and if candidates choose not to disclose some or all of the information this will not affect their application in any way.
We are willing to consider flexible working arrangements for any role. Please contact recruitment@ri.ac.uk if you have any questions about flexible working.
Reasonable adjustments
We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to allow full participation in the recruitment process as set out in the Equality Act of 2010.
Please let us know about any requirements you have regarding reasonable adjustments we can make when you complete the Equalities Monitoring form. We will also check again if you are shortlisted for interview.
Examples of reasonable adjustments
Examples of reasonable adjustments might include additional time for written tests, or providing equipment or assistance to facilitate your participation in the interview process.
Get in touch
If you have difficulty completing our application form due to a disability, please contact our Human Resources team on recruitment@ri.ac.uk or call 020 7670 2907 to discuss potential alternative arrangements.
We welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records.
We select all candidates for interview based on their skills, qualifications and experience.
Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar you from working with us, although this will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of your offences.
We ask candidates for all positions to complete a convictions declaration.
Where the role involves working directly with children and young people, or provides unrestricted access to their data, the position will usually be exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2013, and we will ask that all convictions which are not ‘protected’ are disclosed.
For all other positions, we request that only unspent convictions are disclosed.
If you fail to disclose a conviction at application stage, it will result in an automatic disqualification from the post applied for and all future positions with the Ri.