Monthly Archives: December 2022

09Dec/22

Call for SEPnet Summer Placements 2023

SEPnet Summer Placements 2023

Do you have a project/work experience for a physics or maths undergraduate or PhD student?

SEPnet (South East Physics Network) is a consortium of university physics departments – Hertfordshire, Kent, Portsmouth, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, Southampton, Surrey, Sussex and Open University.

The scheme

SEPnet organises over 80 summer placements a year for all 2nd and 3rd year physics and maths undergraduate and PhD students at the above universities and is seeking 8-week plus projects in industry or research in areas such as data analysis, mathematical modelling, programming, product design and testing or science communication.

Who can apply?

The scheme is aimed at any organisations interested in recruiting physics or maths graduates, or who can offer valuable business experience, including large companies, SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, charities and NGOs.

Benefits to employers

  • Early access to bright, numerate students with excellent problem-solving and IT skills
  • Enables you to carry out projects you would not normally have time for
  • Provides a fresh perspective on your business challenges
  • All advertising, administration and placement support is handled by the SEPnet team
  • Match-funding available for SMEs!

What employers have said:

‘Very satisfied with the whole process, organised and straightforward, with good students.’
‘We took SEPnet students for the second year running and have been very impressed with the calibre, their capabilities and the general high standard. For your records we have just made a permanent job offer to one of the students…’.

Register your placement project, or projects, online here https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EmployerRegistration2023/

Email Michelle Limbert m.limbert@soton.ac.uk for further information or for an informal chat about the scheme.

09Dec/22

SEPnet Employer Engagement Officer Role

School of Physics & Astronomy

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   £32,348 to £39,745 Pro rata per annum
Part Time 17.5 hpw Permanent
Closing Date:  Friday 23 December 2022
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2074722WF

You will be based within the School of Physics and Astronomy, actively engaging with industry to develop and maintain a regional and national employer partnership network, which will enhance the employability of Physics graduates and meet the needs of employers. This will include the delivery, at Southampton, of the collaborative regional SEPnet* Employer Engagement programme, with a focus on organising the student placement scheme and physics-specific careers sessions for Southampton students. The role includes championing our students to employers and working with university careers and placement services.

*The South East Physics Network SEPnet is a network of nine universities in the South East of England, working together to deliver excellence in physics. It formed in 2008 and is overseen by senior representatives of the member universities and external advisors.

You will work under the guidance of the SEPnet Employer Liaison Directors and the Head of Physics and Astronomy.

This is a permanent post offered on a part-time basis (0.5FTE) with a flexible working pattern.

To make the most of this incredible opportunity, you will need skill level equivalent to the achievement of HND, Degree, NVQ4 or basic professional qualification in science or engineering discipline or equivalent industry experience. You will have great communication skills with the ability to engage both students and external partners.

Committed to tackling gender inequality, the School of Physics and Astronomy is Athena SWAN silver award recognised. We are particularly determined to address the under-representation of women in Physics and Astronomy, so we are delighted to have been awarded Project Juno Champion status.

We are committed to all of our staff achieving a healthy work-life balance, with flexible working hours available. With a generous benefits package that includes a contributory pension scheme, competitive holiday allowance, subsidised health and fitness facilities, a cycle-to-work scheme and a range of discounts, this is a place where you are sure to excel.

To take this fascinating next step in your career, informal enquiries to our Head of Physics and Astronomy, Prof Mark Sullivan on m.sullivan@soton.ac.uk are very welcome.

Application Procedure 

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. Please also upload a full CV. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please contact Michelle (HR Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750 or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk  Please quote reference 2074722WF on all correspondence. 

06Dec/22

Neurodiversity Training Workshop

December 6th University of Surrey.

Employability Advisors and academics from across the SEPnet consortium meet to discuss and  identify barriers and enablers in accessing the SEPnet summer placement scheme for all students, irrespective of background and neurological personalities. This training was facilitated by AbiltyNet and will provide the basis for further employer, student and advisor training. 

02Dec/22

SME-DTN success features in NCUB Report 2022

The National Centre for Universities and Business presented their State of Relationship Report 2022 on 1st December and delighted to announce they published our case study on the success of SEPnet’s SME-DTN collaborative PhD scheme funded by Research England Development Fund.  See here for a copy of the report and our case study appears on page 41.

Having faced many challenges and issues launching this scheme during a pandemic, with the commitment and support of SEPnet HEIs, employer contacts and RED Fund, we now have 8 industry-relevant PhD projects underway!

Our list of amazing and innovative PhD projects: can be found here: SME-DTN PhD Scholarships October 2021-2022 – SEPnet

Looking forward to working with our new PhD students!