Year in Industry Programme

Why do your Year in Industry at Earlham Institute?

The Earlham Institute is a hub of life science research, training, and innovation focused on understanding the natural world through the lens of genomics. Our state-of-the-art building is home to exceptional scientists and cutting-edge facilities, creating a unique combination of expertise and infrastructure.

Based on the Norwich Research Park – sitting alongside our partners the John Innes Centre, Quadram Institute, and The Sainsbury Laboratory – the Earlham Institute houses dedicated laboratories for genome sequencing, single-cell analysis, engineering biology, and large-scale automation. The Institute also hosts one of the largest supercomputing facilities for life science research in Europe.

A Year In Industry placement with us provides you with the latest technology, ownership of your project, variety in your work, and an all-round perspective of modern life science research. You'll also be supported by experts in their field and have access to our range of training opportunities to further your knowledge base in data-intensive bioscience.

Open to UK undergraduate students only. We accept applications from students studying one of the following disciplines:

• Biological sciences
• Natural sciences
• Biochemistry
• Computer science
• Mathematics
• Physics

You should be enrolled in a degree programme with a placement year. We particularly encourage applications from those enrolled in an integrated Masters with industrial placement in final year.

This programme is not available to those currently studying in first or final years.

• Successful candidates will be paid a stipend, which is currently set for the academic year 2024/25 at £19,237 p.a.
• Placements commence Wednesday 10 September 2025
• Students split into research project groups in early October
• Presentation to EI staff at end of placement (August)
• Report on progress
• 12 months post placement feedback
• 5 years post placement feedback

Applications for placements starting September 2025 are now closed. 

Applications for 2026 intake will open 1-31 October 2025.

Applications should be sent to: yii@earlham.ac.uk.

Due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to extend the deadline or welcome late applications. 

Your CV should include (but is not limited to): educational history and results, work experience, extra-curricular activities and transferable skills, awards, contact details of at least 2 referees.

Your personal statement should be a maximum of one side of A4. Within the personal statement, you must cover the following points:

• Why do you want to undertake a research placement, specifically at Earlham Institute?
• How does it relate to your particular scientific interests and career goals?
• Describe how you meet the following essential skills (you should refer to any specific experiences, such as paid work, work experience or extracurricular activities, which have helped you to develop these skills):
  • Problem-solving
  • Independent, self-directed learning
  • Communication
  • Teamwork

Interviews will be held Wednesday 4 December, in-person at Earlham Institute.

Due to the number of applications we receive, we will only be able to contact those who have been successful in being shortlisted for an interview. We cannot offer feedback on those not shortlisted for an interview.