Sandwich students 

Undergraduate students in a collaboration space at the Crick.

Sandwich students join one of the Crick's research groups or science technology platforms for 12 months, working on a defined research project.

As well as benefitting from well-resourced research labs and state-of-the-art facilities, you will be provided with a supportive and stimulating work environment, and scientific and transferable skills training.

The programme

The sandwich student programme starts with an induction which will introduce you to the Crick, how to work in its laboratories, and each other.

During the following year, you will attend internal and external seminars and take part in scientific and professional development training. Towards the end of the programme, you will receive training in scientific presentation skills before presenting your work at a Crick Sandwich Student Symposium.

What we offer

We provide successful applicants with: 

  • a place on the Crick sandwich student programme
  • a 12-month full-time (36 hours per week) contract of employment as a Sandwich Placement Laboratory Research Assistant
  • a salary of £26,710 per annum to cover living and travel costs during the placement
     

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • be registered at a UK university, and studying in the UK for an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline
  • be in their second year of undergraduate study if at a university in England, Wales, Northern Ireland or third year if at a university in Scotland; and have at least one further year of undergraduate study to complete after the placement year
  • be studying on an undergraduate programme for which a sandwich / industrial placement year is a formal part of the degree, or must be able to demonstrate that they may interrupt their studies for 12 months to undertake a placement
  • have the legal right to work in the UK 
    • international students studying full time in the UK at UK universities may apply, provided they can demonstrate that undertaking a sandwich/industrial placement year is a formal part of their undergraduate programme and that their student visa or pre-settled/settled status allows them to undertake full-time paid work for one year.

Students studying for degrees at universities outside the UK are not eligible for the programme.

A woman in a red shirt smiles at the camera from inside the Crick

My placement year at the Crick provided an invaluable insight into what life is like in a research environment and allowed me to gain experience in numerous scientific techniques. Speaking to experts really deepened my knowledge of the field as well as informing my future plans.

Olivia Pape, sandwich student, 2024
A man in a T-shirt smiles at the camera as he stands inside the Crick

The placement programme at the Crick has been an invaluable opportunity for me to gain experience working collaboratively and independently on my own project. I have acquired many skills within and outside of the lab, including presenting my work at conferences. It has also been great to work with some amazing people from all over the world.

Joe Hemsley-Taylor, sandwich student, 2024

A placement at the Crick offers undergraduate scientists unparalleled exposure to world class research and facilities. Beyond getting to have responsibility over my own original project I learned so much from the yearlong training program, careers talks and lectures from world-class scientists. I could not recommend the Crick enough.
Hector Cross, sandwich student 2024

The Crick is full of scientific richness that you don’t see anywhere else. There are hundreds of training opportunities and thousands of knowledgeable people who you can learn from, whether it’s people in your lab or a casual elevator conversation. My sandwich placement really enriched my undergraduate experience.
Alice Ren, sandwich student, 2024

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