Sandwich studentships at Kew

To provide practical work experience for undergraduates, Kew offers a series of sandwich student placements, either working within its science teams or as part of the information technology department.

A 2010 sandwich student mapping coffee species distribution

One of the 2010 sandwich students, mapping the distribution of coffee species in East Africa

Plant Science sandwich studentships

Each year, several sandwich course placements are available for projects with different science teams based in the Jodrell Laboratory, the Conservation Biotechnology Unit or the Herbarium at Kew or in seed conservation at the Millennium Seed Bank partnership at Wakehurst Place. These placements help students to develop practical and analytical skills, and provide an opportunity for them to participate in scientific research alongside leading plant scientists. The placements are funded by Kew and students are temporary salaried staff members.

Read blog posts from two of the 2010/11 Sandwich Students to find out more about some of the activities involved in placements at Kew: with the UK Overseas Territories Team, working on specimens of plants from Bermuda, and with the Conservation Biotechnology team, investigating cryopreservation of Ascension Island ferns.

Information technology sandwich student provides support for Kew's computer users

Information Technology sandwich students provide support for Kew's computer users (Image: RBG Kew)

Information Technology student placements

Sandwich course placements are also available in Science Applications Development and PC Systems Support. Among the applications supported by Science Applications Development team are the Electronic Plant Information Centre (ePIC) and the International Plant Names Index (IPNI).

The student placements support Kew’s scientific, horticultural and administrative activities. Students gain valuable technical and non-technical skills and experience. The placements are funded by RBG Kew and students are temporary salaried staff members.

How to apply

Find out more about plant science sandwich studentships at Kew and Wakehurst Place. These studentships are usually advertised on Jobs at Kew page in October each year.

Placements in Science Applications Development and PC Systems Support are usually advertised on the Jobs at Kew page during May.