Model.PageBodyTags
Summer Vacation Studentships

Publishing and Engagement studentship

Part of the Biochemical Society's Summer Vacation Studentship scheme, our publishing and engagement studentship will give students experience of working on our community magazine, The Biochemist.

This studentship offers the chance to work on a dedicated project working with the Biochemical Society’s Content and Communities Manager on our community magazine, The Biochemist. This studentship would be suited to someone with an interest in science communication, outreach, and the engagement of diverse audiences with science.

The publication process often starts with commissioning. The commissioning process involves researching relevant and interesting topics in the biosciences, building relationships and inviting scientists and other stakeholders to write an article for the publication.

Throughout the project, there will be opportunities to contribute to content commissioning and explore innovative ways to engage a wide variety of audiences through and with the published content. Content may include articles for students, professional scientists, science educators, or those with a general interest in molecular biosciences.

Application deadline

Opening in February 2026.

The student will have a dedicated project working with the Biochemical Society’s Content and Communities Manager on our community magazine, The Biochemist. The awardee will gain experience in publishing and science communication, outreach and engagement activities.

The student will have the opportunity to contribute to content commissioning and explore innovative ways to engage a wide variety of audiences through and with the published content. Content may include articles for students, professional scientists, science educators, or those with a general interest in molecular biosciences. Contributing to the commissioning process will require you to understand topics within molecular bioscience and identify appropriate expert contributors, and promoting published content will require you to communicate concepts in an easy to understand, creative and engaging way.

Students working with the Community Engagement team will also gain insight into the publishing lifecycle, including editorial and production processes, and liaison with Editorial Boards.

As the Society is a remote working organisation, the studentship would take place remotely.

The student will be awarded a stipend of £445 per week for a maximum of 6 weeks, to support the students’ living costs for the duration of the placement. The stipend is based on a 35 hour week at £12.71/hour (National Living Wage).

The student will receive their stipend at the beginning of the studentship.

The successful student will also be awarded a one-year undergraduate membership of the Biochemical Society. Read more about the benefits of Society membership here, including discounted registration fees for training courses and events.

Students will apply for the publishing and engagement studentship online. 

Students will need to explain why they are applying for this studentship, specifically, and will have the opportunity to highlight any particular topics of scientific research they are interested in.

Following the review process, the student will be informed of the outcome of their application.

The student will have a dedicated supervisor throughout the project but may also be supervised by other members of staff with particular roles in the Society. The student will work within the Community Engagement team, and the wider Society throughout the project.  

As the Society is a remote working organisation, the studentship would take place remotely.

Students are encouraged to keep track of any skills they have developed over the course of the placement, both technical and transferable, and any impact the project has had on their potential future career.

They are also encouraged to develop their own blogs about their studentship, and to update the Society on their placement using social media by tagging us on Instagram @officialbiochemsoc, on Bluesky @biochemsoc.bsky.social and on LinkedIn or on X @BiochemSoc.

It is a condition of the award that the student subsequently submits a report of their studentship, which can be uploaded onto our website.

Additionally, any related output from the project should be written up for use by the Society.

An example report from 2023 can be found here.

The deadline to complete and send your report is 1 October 2026.

  • This studentship is for undergraduate students in biochemistry, molecular bioscience and related subjects.

  • The student will take up the award during the summer vacation in the middle year(s) of their undergraduate degree. This can include:
    • Year 2 out of 3
    • Year 2 out of 4
    • Year 3 out of 4 (This is applicable for 4 year BSc courses only, and Integrated Masters courses/MSci are not included in this)
    • For students on longer degree terms e.g., on a 6-year Medical related degree, you would be eligible in Year 2, 3, 4 and 5.
    • First year and final year students are not eligible for this studentship, which includes those graduating in year 2026 and final year students on an integrated master’s degree.

  • The publishing and engagement studentship is open to students who will be based in the UK over the summer of 2026.

  • Students do not need to be members of the Biochemical Society to apply. 

  • Students can only apply for one Biochemical Society studentship.
Front cover of multiple issues of The Biochemist magazine in a fan shape.

Interested in a studentship at the Biochemical Society?

Read about working with the Biochemical Society from students who were awarded studentships in public engagement and scientific publishing.

Find out more

Contact us

For further information, please get in touch with the Grants department.

Related grants

Please find other related funding opportunities below.

Summer Vacation Studentships
Group of students collaborating
External funding sources
Image of a female scientist in a lab
Share This
More

Related content

5 items
Fan of paper

Resource

How to get into publishing

Explore different routes into publishing with Prospects.


Old books and a magnifying glass

Resource

Careers in publishing

Explore the variety of careers in publishing with the Publishers Association. 


2023 Awardees

We award prizes to outstanding undergraduates for academic performance, extra-curricular activities, and contribution to the wider community. Nominated by our Local Ambassadors, view the full list of outstanding awardees from 2023:


2022 Awardees

We award prizes to outstanding undergraduates for academic performance, extra-curricular activities, and contribution to the wider community. Nominated by our Local Ambassadors, view the full list of outstanding awardees from 2022:


Student in a lab in a white lab coat looking at a bacterial plate
Studying Biochemistry

Information, resources and support for people considering and currently studying biochemistry and related subjects at undergraduate or postgraduate level.


Need help?

Select a category to see some suggested searches to get you started…