“Have I learned a lot by doing a placement? Yes, an unbelievable amount. Would I recommend fitting one into your PhD? Wholeheartedly. Am I glad I did it? Absolutely yes!
Considering a placement? Do it - You’ll be amazed by what you can achieve.”
- Elspeth Latimer (CHASE funded PhD Researcher, University of East Anglia)
For PhD Researchers
What is a placement?
A placement is an opportunity to undertake up to 6 months work with an organisation. You will not be expected to work on your PhD while undertaking a placement, and can apply to extend your stipend to account for this time. Placements are intended to create the opportunity to apply your research skills in a different context to your PhD.
Potential benefits include:
A chance to explore working in a research related role in sectors of the economy beyond Higher Education.
An opportunity to develop research skills with a higher education organisation, provided the project is distinct from your PhD.
Financial benefits such as a stipend, expenses paid, and a tuition fee waiver.
For more information, see the CHASE placements page and watch our interactive webinar below. Speakers include:
Dr Steven Colburn, CHASE Placements and Partnerships Manager
Roisin Astell, CHASE Doctoral Candidate, University of Kent
Joseph Jones, CHASE Doctoral Candidate, University of Kent
What is a CDA?
Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDAs) are PhD projects developed by a university in collaboration with an organisation outside of higher education. CDAs allow PhD researchers to work collaboratively with a non-higher education partner while completing their doctoral research.
Potential benefits include:
Access to resources, materials, knowledge and expertise not otherwise available to doctoral researchers
First hand experience of work outside a university environment that can enhance transferable skills
Creates relationships between universities, academics, and non-higher education organisations that have cultural and economic benefits for wider society
For more information, see the CHASE CDA page.
As a CHASE doctoral researcher, you have the opportunity to undertake a placement as part of your doctoral training. A placement is an excellent personal and professional development opportunity and you don't have to be funded by CHASE to be able to take part. Saumya Nath, a doctoral researcher at the University of Sussex, speaks about his placement at Vitae.
For more information on placements visit www.chase.ac.uk
How to secure a placement
You can start a placement at any point throughout your PhD (subject to limitations).
Placements could be advertised by CHASE, organised with organisations directly, or even developed as your own small enterprise.
Please click the link below to view our ‘How To’ guide, including a step-by-step outline of the process. You can also visit the CHASE Placements page for more information.
How to apply for a CDA
CDAs are proposed by academic supervisors. You can view all current CDAs offered by CHASE on the main website.
The closing date for CDA studentship applications is usually in May each year.
“I sincerely recommend apply[ing] to such an award to any student in the Arts and Humanities for the quality of training and support, the variety of placements available within partner institutions and the opportunities for networking within the CHASE cohort.”
- Mattia Cobianchi, CDA Student (Noise Abatement Society & Goldsmith’s, University of London)
Have any questions? Send us an email!
“I met a new world of people working as curators and academics and designers.
[My placement] also allowed me to experience the options for work outside of academia, with the potential for using the skills gained during the PhD.”
— Flora Bartlett, CHASE funded student (Goldsmiths, University of London)