Work experience

We offer opportunities for young people to experience a scientific working environment firsthand through our work experience weeks. As the Rosalind Franklin Institute is an interdisciplinary institute, rather than focusing on one specific project during their placement with us, students have the opportunity to rotate between different research groups. Students experience how different aspects of science work together to achieve a common goal.

In previous years, students have been able to create synthetic aspirin in our chemistry labs before analysing their compounds with mass spectrometry and comparing the compounds to store brought versions. They have also worked with researchers preparing samples for microscopy. Students will have the opportunity to meet a variety of researchers across the Franklin, tour other facilities on Harwell Campus, and practice their presentation skills in group talks at the end of their week.

Hear from one of our past work experience students about their week with us:
https://www.rfi.ac.uk/our-first-work-experience-week/

We run two work experience weeks per year for year 10 and year 12 students.

Dates for our 2026 work experience programmes will be released in the Autumn.

To express your interest and apply for a placement contact our work experience team: