This opportunity is aimed at Postgraduate Researchers who have funding through a Doctoral Training Partnership to undertake a placement as part of their studentship.
Key Placement Information
Closing Date
Friday 13th February 2026, 12:00 UK time
Placement Dates
1. Start of July to end of September 2026
2. Start of October to end of December 2026
3. Start of January to end of March 2027
4. Start of April to end of June 2027
Duration
3-months
Full-time or Part-time
Usually full-time
In Person, Online or Hybrid
Flexible
Job Sector
Public
Project Areas
Policy, Evaluation
How to Apply
Complete an application form
Project Description
The Open Innovation Team (OIT) is a cross-government unit that works on a wide range of policies, including health, justice, education, sustainability, energy, international development, and artificial intelligence. Last year, the team launched the Evaluation Services Unit (ESU) to evaluate the impact of policies across a range of areas.
The OIT’s PhD placement scheme brings PhD students into the heart of government, working with civil service teams on real policy challenges. The scheme offers a unique opportunity to develop skills, grow networks and get an insight into what it’s like to work on policy and in government.
PhD placement students work on a diverse range of policy projects and are not expected to have prior experience of policy or knowledge of the policy area that they are asked to work on.
Alongside the policy placements, the OIT are offering placements in the ESU. The ESU uses a range of methods – quantitative, quasi-experimental as well as qualitative and theory-based – to evaluate government policy and assess its impacts. No prior experience of evaluation methodologies is required, though some knowledge of quantitative and/or relevant qualitative research methods is desirable for this placement.
Successful applicants should expect to:
- make significant contributions to the policy and evaluation work the team carries out
- help plan and deliver events, bringing together academic experts and policymakers to work through policy problems
- assess and synthesise evidence and research, and learn how to present this for policymaking audiences
Please note this opportunity has been advertised across multiple Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs).
