PIPS Search Process

 PIPS is a 3-month placement in a professional environment that is non-academic, and with a project that is not related to your field of research. 

  • You cannot carry out a research project in academia, even if the field is unrelated to your research
  • You must choose a PIPS that is not related to your field of research
  • The PIPS cannot be in an academic research setting.
  • PIPS cannot be done during the thesis writing period

The objective of your PIPS is to give you an opportunity to gain work experience in a non-academic background. The broader aim is to help you, as an early career researcher, to understand the context of your research and be exposed to a range of career opportunities available after graduation. 

Searching TIPS for PIPS

Skills and experience to look for:

  • Being customer focused 
  • Influencing others - Leading, developing and managing people 
  • Managing finances and resources
  • Planning and organising
  • Problem-solving and making decisions
  • Pursuing professional excellence in a particular non-academic environment
  • Thinking and acting strategically

Examples of different types of environments for your PIPS

  • Industry: a short desk-based research project; review or analysis of manufacturing, processing or production techniques; non-research roles such as marketing, publishing or sales; business development or project management.
  • Legal offices: patent related project; research contracts  
  • Consultancy: auditing project ; research project  
  • Teaching: in schools, using the Researchers in Residence scheme, or through other mechanisms  
  • Policy sector: developing policy or working in a related setting, such as a government department, local authority, non-departmental public body, professional association, charity (with clear links to scientific activities), research funder or medical organisation (such as NHS Primary Care Trust)  
  • Media industry: a wide variety of roles are possible here that help students understand the wider societal context of their research. Such internships could include working in science communication roles or other roles in:  
  • Press office  
  • Science publishing company 
  • Zoo, museum or botanical gardens – for outreach projects or research assignments.  

PIPS Finances 

As students continue to receive the monthly allowance, all PIPS placements must be unpaid. If the placement site is outside of metropolitan London, it is expected that the PIPS placement will provide transport and/or accommodation. In the event that the PIPS placement is not able to financially contribute to travel and/or accommodation, then students can request funds from the PIPS Travel Allowance. The maximum allowance is £1000 and can only be used for transport (train, flight) and accommodation/lodging (temporary housing, AirBnB). When completing the PIPS Proforma, please be sure to include this request along with supporting reasons. If your request is approved, you must submit an Expense Form and copies of the receipt(s) and email it to dtp@imperial.ac.uk. Payments will be made after the completion of your PIPS placement. NB You must get pre-approval for the PIPS Travel Fund. Retroactive requests will not be considered.  

PIPS Placements Abroad

It is likely that you will be able to carry out good quality PIPS locally. PIPS can however be taken abroad but any extra costs associated with this should be met by the PhD student and/or host organisation. All overseas internships must be 12 weeks long. If you have secured a PIPS placement outside of the UK, you must thoroughly read the 2021-22 Placements Abroad Handbook (available here) as it provides critical information regarding visas, travel accident,s and insurance information, as well as helpful information such as budgeting. It is imperative that you register your placement travel with Imperial College/RHUL in order to be covered by the respective College’s Overseas Travel Insurance. Please note that the travel insurance is not a health insurance but an accident and travel benefit. You will need to print out the Overseas Travel Insurance Policy form for the 2021-22 Academic Year. For additional information, please refer to the Placements Abroad Handbook.  

PIPS Placement Approval Process

Once a PIPS placement is confirmed, students must complete a PIPS Proforma, attach a work contract or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and send it to dtp@imperial.ac.uk for the DTP Management Committee to approve. The PIPS Proforma should be sent no later than four weeks in advance of the placement start date. If the placement is deemed too similar to your PhD research project then you will be asked to come up with an alternative activity either at their original placement location or a different location. 

Download PIPS Application Forms Here

PIPS Proforma

Click here to download the PIPS Proforma application form

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

Click here to download the PIPS Memorandum of Understanding application form here

PIPS Progress Reports

The Induction Form

Click here to download the Induction form

This form should be completed by the end of the first week of your placement and emailed to dtp@imperial.ac.uk.

Mid-Placement Progress Report

Click here to download the Mid-Progress Report form

The Mid-Placement Progress Report is usually completed by the end of the first month of the placement. The completed form must be emailed to dtp@imperial.ac.uk

Final PIPS Report

The final report should be completed within 3 months once you have completed your placement. To complete the final report please follow the two steps below:

  1. Email  PIPS@bbsrc.ac.uk  with the text “Please email me a unique link to the BSRC DTP PIPS Placement Report” in the subject field and complete their report via the link they send you (this is only be seen by the BBSRC and not shared with us). 
  2. Complete a second, separate form for our DTP records. Click here to access the DTP form

 You can just complete the BBSRC report (no. 1) if you send us a copy - otherwise, you will need to complete both forms.