Employer Engagement

NEWS

February 2010

SEPnet Summer Studentships 2010

Student Registration is now open for the SEPnet Summer Studentships. In an effort to increase the employability of physics students, and provide a transfer of knowledge across the South East, SEPnet provides funding for undergraduates to conduct eight week studentships in their choice of academic research or industry.

To register please download the Student Registration forms and Terms and Conditions, and submit to the physics administration office at your university. This scheme is available to Physics undergraduates at Kent,Queen Mary, Royal Holloway,Southampton, and Sussex currently in Year 2 Bsc, MSci/MPhys programmes and Year 3 MPhys/MSci programmes. At Queen Mary, Year 1 students are also included with permission from the Head of Department, and at Surrey the scheme is available to their Level 1 and Level 2 students in the BSc and MSc physics programmes.

Registered students will receive a list of project descriptions and contact details available for summer 2010. There are placements at each of the SEPnet physics departments as well as regional opportunities at RAL, NPL, CCFE, Selex Galileo, EADS Astrium, QinetiQ and many more.

Applications are due no later than 23rd April 2010.

November 2009

SEPnet Summer Studentship Exhibition at the Royal Society

On 27th November, eighteen recipients of SEPnet bursaries displayed their work to colleagues from academia and industry. All six partner universities were represented with posters and presentations from students placed at UKAEA Jet, NPL, QinetiQ, Intech Science Centre, SELEX Galileo, and Michelson Diagnostics. Academic research teams at the Univeristies of Southampton, Kent and Queen Mary also hosted SEPnet bursary recipients. Linda Stone, SEPnet Director of Employability said, "This was a true demonstration of how important the SEPnet funding is to our aim of sustaining physics in this region. The calibre of projects was very high, and students had the opportunity to work with leaders of physics and academic research as a result. Our goal was to increase the employabiltiy of our undergraduates, and undoubtedly there will be some very impressive CVs from this group."

Employers - What SEPnet can do for you

Physics has been recognised as a subject of strategic importance for the economy of the UK. Our objective is to promote and sustain Physics in industry through a programme of engagement with employers in the South East, ensuring that graduates are qualified to meet industry expectations, and that employers are fully aware of how and where to find the right cadidates to fully utilize their attributes.

Why hire a Physics Graduate?

A Physicist is a problem solver. According to the Institute of Physics, “Today's physicists are employed across a broad spectrum of careers because their education and training can be applied to any number of situations, from academia and industry, to consultancy and financial services.”

The SEPnet consortium is in a unique position to offer employers access to some of the brightest minds across the South East from six leading Universities. We welcome businesses to our network of talented individuals and facilities. The SEPnet consortium can offer:

• Access to Physics graduates from six Universities

• Sponsorship and award schemes in partnership with Industry

• Fully funded undergraduates keen for vacation studentships

• Free and confidential vacancy and placement advertising options

• Leaders in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships

• Access to world class research facilities in the South East

• Introductions to award winning academics at the leading edge of innovation and technology

• Invitations to SEPnet sponsored careers events

• A personalised approach to meet employer expectations

Current Initiatives in the South East

We are busy spreading the word at SEPnet. Some of our current initiatives include Developing an Employer Advisory Board. This is intended as an exchange between employers and University staff to ensure that employer expectations are being met, and student skills are recognised and in line with current technological and scientific advancements.

We are also in the process of conducting a regional Survey of Employers with a focus on SMEs in the South East.