Placements: A ‘How To’ Guide For Doctoral Researchers


Placements advertised by CHASE

Placement advertisements and application deadlines are listed on the CHASE website and updated frequently.

  • Each listing should tell you how to apply. This is usually relatively informal, and there should be opportunities for you to contribute to the design of your project.

  • You will need to provide a clear summary of the placement and reflect on the training and development opportunities that the placement will offer you. The time required for application processing will depend on the associated costs – please allow at least 2 weeks before following up on your application status.

  • Once approved, your institution will draw up an agreement form to be signed by you, your placement host and the institution.

  • Should this or any other aspect of the placement change, notify CHASE and your institution as soon as possible. There will be a placement confirmation form to complete within the first 2 weeks of the placement. You can claim back any expenses CHASE has agreed to cover throughout.

  • This is an opportunity to reflect on the value of the placement, whether you would recommend the host to other researchers, and to draft a blog post that we can share on the CHASE website. Your Placement Supervisor will also write a short testimonial to be included in your evaluation. You may be invited to speak about your placement at CHASE events.

 

Placements not advertised by CHASE

You can also directly approach organisations that you would like to be placed with. CHASE can support a placement with any organisation that will provide you with a meaningful and appropriate professional and personal development experience.

  • Gather contact names and emails for these organisations and draft an introductory email. This should include a brief biography and highlight that you are eligible to complete a fully funded placement. Keep it short – interested organisations will contact you for further information.

  • Add a few lines about your specific interest in each organisation to your draft.

  • You need to ensure the placement meets CHASE criteria and that you will be allocated a Placement Supervisor. You are strongly advised to contact CHASE at this stage.

  • You will need to provide a clear summary of the placement and reflect on the training and development opportunities that the placement will offer you. This is usually at least 1 side of A4 in length. You can now send the form to your supervisors.

  • The time it takes to review the application varies depending on associated costs – please wait at least 2 weeks before following up on your application status. On approval, you will receive confirmation of the placement terms and agreed financial support. Your institution will then draw up an agreement form to be signed by you, your placement host and the institution.

  • Should this or any aspect of the placement change, you should notify CHASE and your institution as soon as possible. There will be a placement confirmation form to complete within the first 2 weeks of the placement. You can claim back any expenses CHASE has agreed to cover throughout.

  • This is an opportunity to reflect on the value of the placement, whether you would recommend the host to other researchers, and to draft a blog post that we can share on the CHASE website. Your Placement Supervisor will also write a short testimonial to be included in your evaluation. You may be invited to speak about your placement at CHASE events.

 

Developing your own entrepreneurial placement

You can use the CHASE placement scheme to fund the setting up of your own small business/enterprise. Your enterprise can be aligned with any sector of the economy. As part of your ‘pitch’ to CHASE, you will need to set out your suitability for running this enterprise.

You are strongly advised to discuss your ideas with CHASE before making any meaningful progress.

  • Most CHASE institutions host business incubators on campus – these are intended to support small businesses in early stages, and you are advised to search here first. Please contact us if this is not an option for you and we will be happy to help you explore alternatives.

  • CHASE will need to see this as part of the review process. This must include milestones for the duration of your funding and how you plan to sustain or grow your business afterwards.

  • You will need to provide a clear summary of the placement and reflect on the training and development opportunities it will offer you. This is usually at least 1 side of A4 in length. You can then send the form and your business plan to your supervisors.

  • CHASE may feel unable to support the plan you have set up, so please do discuss your idea with us as early as possible. The time it takes to review the application varies depending on associated costs – please wait at least 2 weeks before following up on your application status. On approval, you will receive confirmation of the placement terms and agreed financial support. Your institution will then draw up an agreement form to be signed by you, your placement host and the institution.

  • Should this or any aspect of the placement change, you should notify CHASE and your institution as soon as possible. There will be a placement confirmation form to complete within the first 2 weeks of the placement. You can claim back any expenses CHASE has agreed to cover throughout.

  • This is an opportunity to reflect on the value of the placement, whether you would recommend the entrepreneurial placement to other researchers, and to draft a blog post that we can share on the CHASE website. Your Business Advisor will also write a short testimonial to be included in your evaluation. You may be invited to speak about your placement at CHASE events.

 

Still have questions? Send us an email!