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National Capability for UK Challenges (NC-UK) internship programme

Thank you to everyone who applied to the NC-UK Internship Programme. Applications for the 2025 intake are now closed.

This year marked the first time UKCEH hosted an intern through the NC-UK programme—an exciting milestone in our commitment to supporting early career researchers. The six-week placement offered hands-on experience in environmental science research, data analysis, and science communication.

Our 2025 intern contributed to real-world projects alongside NC-UK scientists, developing valuable skills and gaining insight into the environmental research sector.

Key details from the 2026 programme:

  • Internship dates: July – August 2025 (dates TBC)
  • Location: UKCEH  sites (TBC)
  • Payment: Approximately £2,847 (before deductions) for the 6-week programme
  • Accommodation: Not provided—participants arrange and fund their own accommodation and living costs

If you're passionate about environmental science and interested in future opportunities, check back in late 2025 / early 2026  for further details about the 2026  programme. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds. 

NC-UK intern completes six-week research placement at UKCEH

UKCEH recently hosted an early career researcher through the NC-UK internship programme, a six-week placement designed to build skills in environmental science, data analysis, and science communication.

Phoebe’s project focused on “Eighty Years of the Long-Term Cumbrian Lakes Monitoring Programme – What Can It Teach Us About Our Changing Lakes?”. Her work involved:

  • Summarising trends in key ecological and environmental variables
  • Creating clear, engaging data visualisations
  • Developing reusable code for future data updates
  • Drafting a journal article on the history, methods, and key findings of the programme

These outputs will support the Lake Ecosystems Group in sharing insights through publications, blogs, and presentations, with the aim of submitting the manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal.

As part of the placement, Phoebe joined the NC-UK International Interns on a field trip to Windermere, gaining hands-on experience in:

  • Long-term lake monitoring techniques 
  • Novel sensor and buoy technologies 
  • Environmental health and recreational use 
  • Macroinvertebrate sampling and freshwater ecology 

In addition, personal development days focused on science communication and career planning helped build confidence and clarity for future career pathways.

Phoebe’s internship concluded with a final presentation, where she shared her findings and reflected on her experience to the NC-UK programme Team.

Special thanks to Taylor Butler-Eldridge (University of Exeter), Mel Fletcher (Natural England), and Gareth McShane (UKCEH) for facilitating these insightful field sessions, and to NC-UK scientists Heather Moorhouse and Stephen Thackeray for supervising Phoebe’s internship.