Research & Knowledge Exchange Internships Opportunities for summer 2015
Canterbury Christ Church University
The Research & Knowledge Exchange Internship Scheme gives CCCU students experience of working with staff
on real research and knowledge exchange projects with high quality outcomes. As an intern you will gain a
tremendous amount from this opportunity, not only will you get to experience research & knowledge
exchange activity ‘first hand’ but you will also acquire a range of transferrable skills which can help you to
secure that graduate job or postgraduate place. You will also be paid. Research and Knowledge Exchange
projects run for 10 weeks over the summer break, completing by the end of July.
Project Information:
Project number: 40
Academic Name: Dr Rodrigo Vega
School/Centre: Life Sciences
Research & KE Area: Taxonomy and Systematics / Bioindicators for water quality / DNA barcoding.
Project Title: Generic diversity of chironomid midges breeding in the main channels of the Great Stour at
Westgate Parks, Canterbury.
The non-biting midges (Diptera: Chironomidae) include more than 600 British species, and the group is one of
the most sensitive bioindicators for assessing water quality. The project will involve making microscope slides
of midge larvae from Westgate Parks, identifying these to genus or species group using taxonomic keys, and
assistance in analysing the results. The long-term goal is to develop a tool for morphological and molecular
(DNA barcoding) identification of these flies that could be used for water quality monitoring, and for original
taxonomic and ecological research.
Basic knowledge of optical microscopy, ability to undertake micro-dissection and manipulate small arthropods,
and basic knowledge of arthropod diversity is essential. It would be desirable that the candidate has
experience with handling insect specimens, experience of making microscope slides of insects, experience in
use of dichotomous keys for arthropods, and willingness to work in field, including wading in river water.
Criteria:
Essential criteria Basic knowledge of optical microscopy.
 Ability to undertake micro-dissection and manipulation of small arthropods, requiring good eyesight
and dexterity.
 Basic knowledge of arthropod diversity.
Desirable Criteria
 Experience with handling insect specimens.
 Experience of making microscope slides of insects.
 Experience in use of dichotomous keys for identification of arthropods.
 Willingness to work in field, including wading in river water.
Application Process:
To apply for this opportunity, please complete the application form below.
Canterbury Christ Church University, Research & Enterprise Development Centre (RED)
Research & Knowledge Exchange Internship Scheme 2015
Successful applicants will be called for a short interview; you will be told if you are to be awarded the
internship shortly after the interview
CCCU Undergraduate Research & Knowledge Exchange Internship Application Form 2015
Last Name:
First Name:
Address :
Date of Birth:
National Insurance Number:
Email (CCCU student email address):
Preferred contact email (if different from above):
Telephone and/or mobile:
University course attending:
Year:
CCCU Student number:
Are you an International Student?
YES / NO
If Yes, please provide details of your current Visa:
Do you require a Work Permit:
Demonstrate how you meet the criteria for the project and explain why you are interested in this research
and knowledge exchange area (600 words max):
Canterbury Christ Church University, Research & Enterprise Development Centre (RED)
Research & Knowledge Exchange Internship Scheme 2015
Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence? YES/NO
(Delete as appropriate)
(Your attention is drawn to the fact that under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 you may be entitled to
answer 'no' to this question even if you have, in the past, been subjected to criminal proceedings resulting in
conviction(s). However, certain types of employment are excluded, under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
1974 (Exemptions) Order, 1975, from the protection of the Act. It is therefore, suggested that you take the
appropriate advice if you are in any doubt as to the correct answers to give).
If yes, please specify date of conviction, Court, nature of offence and sentence imposed:
Declaration:
I certify that the information given on this form is correct.
I understand that any wilful omission or falsification may lead to the disqualification of this application or
dismissal if appointed to the post applied for:
Signed:
Date:
Please email this form to red.businessdevelopment@canterbury.ac.uk by 10th April 2015.
Or by post to: RED, Room No, HPf17, Hall Place Enterprise Centre, Harbledown, Canterbury, CT2 9AG
Canterbury Christ Church University, Research & Enterprise Development Centre (RED)
Research & Knowledge Exchange Internship Scheme 2015
FAQ:
Q. Can I apply to this scheme if I am a final year undergraduate student?
Yes. If you graduate this year you are still eligible to apply
Q. Do I have to be a student at CCCU in order to apply?
Yes. Only current CCCU students are eligible.
Q. How will I be paid? And will it be subject to tax?
You will be paid £200 a week for up to 10 weeks. This will be paid in monthly instalments over the summer.
This may be subject to tax depending on your circumstances.
Q. When will the internship run?
The internships will begin on the 25th May until 31st July 2015.
Q. Who do I ask to find out more information?
If you want to find out more about an individual project you should contact the member of staff responsible
for running that project. General queries should be directed to red.businessdevelopment@canterbury.ac.uk
Q. When will I find out if my application has been successful?
All students will be informed if they have successfully progressed to the next stage in the application
procedure or not in April 2015.
Q. I am planning to go on holiday over the summer, will this affect my application?
Possibly. Students will be paid for 10 weeks work in total. Small amounts of time can be made back up at the
start of the internship, if the members of staff working on the project agree. A two week break in the middle of
the internship may be impractical and difficult to make back up. Students are advised to clearly state any
holiday plans in their application.
Q. Is it ok to apply for an internship in a different faculty?
Yes. As long as you meet the essential criteria for the project you are welcome to apply for it.
Q. What if I have a part time job already? Can I still apply to be an intern?
The internship scheme is a big commitment over the summer months; however the actual pattern of work can
be negotiated between the member of staff running the project and the student intern. A weekend or evening
job probably wouldn’t be a problem. If you are on a student visa you cannot work more than 20 hours in total.
Q. Will I be supported?
Yes! You will be invited to an induction event and have a Personal Development Plan and opportunity to meet
with other interns to record all of the transferable skills and knowledge that you will develop. You will also
work closely with the lead researcher.
Q. Will I have to complete a final report?
You will be given the opportunity to produce a final report or presentation in partnership with your academic
lead; it forms part of your contract as an intern.
Canterbury Christ Church University, Research & Enterprise Development Centre (RED)
Research & Knowledge Exchange Internship Scheme 2015