Science and Engineering Summer Research Internships

8 - 12 weeks (June / July - August / September 2026).

To be eligible for this summer research internship, you must:

• Qualify for Home fee status and be ordinarily resident in the UK
• Be in the penultimate year of your undergraduate degree (second year of a three-year course, or third year of a four-year course). The internship will take place in the summer before your final undergraduate year.

And meet one of the following criteria:

• Be studying an undergraduate degree in a science or engineering discipline at a UK university that is not a member of the Russell Group.

Or meet one of the following widening participation criteria, i.e. you are:

• Identify as belonging to one of the following ethnic groups:
  • Black or Black British – Caribbean
  • Black or Black British – African
  • Mixed –  White and Black Caribbean
  • Mixed – White and Black African
  • Other Black background.

Or you're:

• Care leaver or care-experienced student
• An estranged student
• Young carer
• Refugee or asylum seeker
• Disabled
• From a military family.

Or you meet one of the following socio-economic criteria:

• If you were eligible for free school meals during secondary education
• If you lived in an area of relative deprivation when applying to your undergraduate university course
• If you received a full/partial maintenance loan for the first three years of your undergraduate course
• If you lived in a postcode of low progression to higher education when applying to your undergraduate university course.

Interns will receive a monthly stipend of £1500 for the duration of the project, and £500 will also be available to cover research costs for each intern.

Title: Investigation into lithium compounds as potential cancer-specific delivery agents for Neutron Capture Treatment (NCT)

Supervisor: Dr Kathryn George

Activation radiotherapy relies on combining precise irradiation of a stable, selective isotope within tumour cells with an external beam to target a specific nuclear reaction. Boron-10 Neutron Capture Treatment (BNCT) has been long-studied with potential application to gliomas, head, neck, and liver cancers. Third-generation boron-10 (10B, 19.9% abundance) compounds are an active research topic but remain underdeveloped due to their high blood concentrations and poor cell retention.

Lithium-6 (6Li, 7.5% abundance) can act as an alternative isotope for neutron capture. Lithium has been reported to concentrate more in the cell nucleus and exhibit longer tumour cell retention times. The design of cancer-specific lithium compounds for NCT therapy is a major challenge, due to lithium’s inherently unstable ionic bonding, with only a few studies reported and requiring nanoparticle encapsulation. However, the high precision of LiNCT, alongside minimal high-energy irradiation products, results in marked minimisation of damage to surrounding healthy cells. There is a clear gap for new lithium-6 compounds that could then open new cancer treatment pathways.

The summer intern would work on synthesising lithium compounds with (i) amino acids and (ii) silica particles, characterising them by NMR, XRF and ICP-OES; and reporting their results.

Title: Security evaluation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Supervisor: Dr Sebastian Koehler

Design, build, and test practical security tools to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen electric vehicle (EV) charging systems.

EVs rely on a complex and layered communication protocol, underpinned by a large software stack. Its complexity suggests potential security weaknesses across multiple layers. Prior research has already identified vulnerabilities in the used communication protocols, but comprehensive testing remains difficult due to the fragmented ecosystem of manufacturers and proprietary implementations.

This internship focuses on developing practical security testing tools for EVs and charging stations. The student will design and implement tools that support vulnerability discovery and help address open research questions in EV security. The project contributes directly to ongoing efforts to protect EV charging infrastructure, which is considered part of critical national infrastructure.

The internship offers hands-on experience at the intersection of cybersecurity and software engineering, with optional hardware involvement. The student will work with real-world EV charging systems, learn to analyse complex safety-critical infrastructure, and contribute to applied research with clear industrial and societal impact.

Title: Sandboxing interpreted programs with system call filtering

Supervisor: Dr Pierre Olivier

System call filtering is widely used to secure programs in multi-tenant environments and to sandbox applications in desktop software deployments: attacks can be flagged by detecting that an application is invoking specific system calls it is not supposed to issue under its normal operation. Filtering rules are hard to write and maintain manually, hence generating them automatically is essential. To that aim, analysis tools able to identify every system call that can legitimately be invoked by a program are needed.

Existing static analysis approaches target binaries compiled from languages such as C, and cannot be applied to interpreted / scripted languages. The goal of this internship is to develop an analysis framework able to identify with precision the different system calls that can legitimately be issued by programs written in interpreted language such as Python, JavaScript or Bash. The framework's output can then be used to develop system call blacklisting rules, something much needed due to the very high popularity of these interpreted languages. The internship will involve developing code analysis tools to characterise 1) interpreters and the features they expose to scripted / interpreted programs and 2) the interpreted programs themselves and the features they require from interpreters.

Title: Exploring fungal activity and carbon use in Scots Pine forest soils

Supervisor: Dr Bolaji Thanni

This project offers a rare opportunity to explore the hidden world beneath forests and understand how trees survive, grow, and respond to environmental change. You will work on Scots pine and their ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, microscopic partners that help trees access nitrogen in exchange for carbon. These interactions are fundamental to forest health, climate regulation, and how carbon is stored in soils.

During the internship, you will analyse fungal activity from soils collected across forest sites in Germany and link these to controlled greenhouse experiments. You will measure fungal respiration (CO₂ release) as a proxy for activity, observe living mycelial networks under microscopy, assess plant growth responses, and use DNA-based methods to uncover fungal diversity. This combination allows you to connect what is happening below ground to how trees function above ground.

No prior experience is required. You will receive full training in laboratory techniques, data collection, and ecological thinking. The project is designed to build confidence while exposing you to real research questions.

By the end, you will gain practical skills in soil ecology, learn how experiments are designed, and develop a deeper understanding of how invisible microbial networks shape ecosystems and influence climate-relevant processes.

Title: Exploring the effect of nutrient dilution on herbivory under ambient and elevated CO2 environments

Supervisor: Dr Joshua Lynn

Global CO2 levels have continued to rise since the Industrial Revolution and are expected to continue at a rapid rate. This increased CO2 availability will have massive consequences for biotic interactions. The indirect consequences of increased CO2 on herbivory rates (here, leaf herbivory) via changes in plant chemistry are still an open question. Plant nutrient content relative to carbon is expected to decrease under elevated CO2 and this reduction in nutrient availability may cause herbivores to increase consumption rates to obtain the same nutrient amounts./

Building on ongoing observational studies of herbivory present at BIFoR (the world’s only mature-oak Free-Air Carbon dioxide Enrichment (FACE) experiment) we aim to assess how nutrient availability will drive herbivory rate changes under elevated CO2. Overall, we hypothesise that herbivory will increase under elevated CO2 but that soil fertilisation will increase the nutritive value of leaves and reduce the amount of leaf material consumed by herbivores.

This project builds on the ongoing work from last year in which we increased nitrogen availability in the soil of Acer pseudoplatanus, measured herbivory across the season and now aim to tie that herbivory damage to nutrient levels. Preliminary assessment of the leaf material shows promising responses through the physical properties of the leaves to the treatments and now nutrient analysis is required to complete the wider picture.

This project will mostly focus on laboratory nutrient analysis using ICP-MS, but also includes data analysis, with opportunities to get involved in field work and additional modelling.

Title: Security evaluation of electric vehicle charging infrastructure

Supervisor: Dr Sebastian Koehler

Design, build, and test practical security tools to identify vulnerabilities and strengthen electric vehicle (EV) charging systems.

EVs rely on a complex and layered communication protocol, underpinned by a large software stack. Its complexity suggests potential security weaknesses across multiple layers. Prior research has already identified vulnerabilities in the used communication protocols, but comprehensive testing remains difficult due to the fragmented ecosystem of manufacturers and proprietary implementations.

This internship focuses on developing practical security testing tools for EVs and charging stations. The student will design and implement tools that support vulnerability discovery and help address open research questions in EV security. The project contributes directly to ongoing efforts to protect EV charging infrastructure, which is considered part of critical national infrastructure.

The internship offers hands-on experience at the intersection of cybersecurity and software engineering, with optional hardware involvement. The student will work with real-world EV charging systems, learn to analyse complex safety-critical infrastructure, and contribute to applied research with clear industrial and societal impact.

Title: Scanning technology to reconstruct early vertebrate fossils

Supervisor: Dr Robert Sanson

The origin and early diversification of vertebrates is a complex evolutionary problem that fossils have played vital role in reconstructing. Scanning and tomography technologies have enabled us to extract even more detail from these important fossils by providing X-ray images of their interior anatomy. In order to reconstruct 3D models of their anatomy, those X-ray images need processes and assembling into virtual models, ideal work for an undergraduate summer intern. You will be able to work with computers and will receive training in tomography and palaeontology.

Title: Uncovering patterns in UK’s air pollution data

Supervisor: Dr Matthew Thomas

Air pollution is a major environmental and public health challenge and understanding how it changes over time is key to managing it effectively. In the UK, large volumes of air quality data are collected daily, but identifying clear patterns and groupings, such as how pollution varies across the day, between locations, or by season, can be challenging.

In this project, you’ll work with real-world air pollution datasets and apply clustering techniques to uncover hidden patterns and groups within it. You’ll explore how days or locations can be grouped based on similar pollution behaviours and investigate how these patterns change depending on factors such as pollutant type and time of year.

This is an opportunity to develop practical skills in coding, data analytics, and problem-solving, whilst working with diverse datasets and ultimately providing insights into an important environmental and public health challenge.

Title: Data driven product development

Supervisor: Dr Kasey Hatch

During this project the intern will immerse themselves into the activities undertaken within the Apparel Design Engineering (ADE) research group within the Department of Materials. The intern will be involved in the ongoing development of 3D body‑scan‑to‑garment pattern engineering processes, contributing to research exploring how digital anthropometric data can be used to develop parametric patterns that adapt to varying body shapes and measurement inputs. Working alongside researchers within ADE, the intern will support the evaluation of existing 3D scanning workflows, assist in cleaning, processing and analysing scan data, and learn to manipulate digital body models within industry‑standard software environments. The intern will also contribute to translating 2D pattern‑engineering processes into 3D visualisation software, enhancing the group’s ability to evaluate fit, silhouette, and construction within virtual environments. Additionally, they will help develop future teaching materials that demonstrate these workflows using Alvanon dress forms, supporting the integration of advanced digital methods into fashion‑technology education. By the end of the internship, the student will have gained hands‑on experience with emerging digital fashion technologies and an understanding of how engineering principles can enhance garment accuracy, efficiency, and personalisation.

Title: From plants to pigments: Investigating natural dyes for sustainable textiles

Supervisor: Dr Jane Wood

The student will undertake a research-led study combining literature review with small-scale experimental work. They will identify a selection of viable dye plants suitable for the UK context and explore methods of dye extraction and application to textile materials such as cotton or wool. Using resources from The Firs Environmental Research Station, the student will produce a small library of dyed samples, documenting colour outcomes, variation, and repeatability.

The project will also consider key factors such as accessibility, environmental impact, and potential for wider application. Findings will be presented in a short research report and presentation. This project will provide hands-on research experience, developing skills in experimental design, analysis, and critical thinking, while encouraging progression towards postgraduate study.

Title: From waste to resource: Exploring coffee sack materials for sustainable textile innovation

Supervisor: Dr Claudia Henninger

This project explores how waste materials, such as coffee sack textiles, can be transformed into useful resources within sustainable material systems. The student will investigate the properties of these materials - including fibre structure, strength, and absorbency—and examine how they can be adapted through simple processing and modification techniques.

Through hands-on experimentation, the student will develop key STEM skills in materials testing, experimental design, and data analysis. Practical investigations will explore how structural changes and surface treatments influence performance, with a focus on identifying potential functional applications such as filtration, absorbent systems, or other material uses.

Designed for students with no prior research experience, the project provides an accessible introduction to research in materials science and sustainability. It will build confidence in laboratory work, critical thinking, and problem-solving, while encouraging students to think creatively about how waste streams can contribute to more resource-efficient and innovative material solutions.

Title: Game changers: Turning textile waste into circular solutions

Supervisor: Lindsay Pressdee

Community-based approaches that combine sustainability, materials understanding and creative problem-solving.

The student will investigate how surplus synthetic garments, such as polyester sportswear, can be repurposed into new products for use in sustainable educational workshops. Through hands-on experimentation, the student will design and test re-purposed prototypes, exploring material properties, durability and usability. Alongside product development, the student will create accessible learning resources, including guides and visual materials, to support schools and community groups in understanding textile lifecycles, waste and circular economy principles.

The project introduces key STEM concepts such as material science, lifecycle thinking and sustainability systems, while remaining accessible to students with no prior research experience. It combines practical making with applied research and real-world impact.

The student will gain valuable experience in research, design, communication and sustainability, while contributing to a growing programme that supports community engagement and environmental awareness. The project is designed to build confidence and inspire further study, including progression towards postgraduate research.

Title: The use of AI and immersive technologies in fashion: An analysis of their potential to impact consumer behaviour, brand image and sustainability

Supervisor: Dr Marta Blazquez Cano

This research project looks at the intersection of technology and fashion. In terms of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly growing popularity and importance and has become a research priority in industry and academia. Although it represents a huge potential for business growth and competitivity, little is known about how this potential can be unveiled. From an industry perspective, it is needed to understand potential applications of AI technologies. From a consumer perspective, further insight is needed around barriers and motivation to engage with AI. In addition to AI, immersive technologies including Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) or Mixed Reality are becoming more prevalent to develop superior experiences in different settings including traditional channels such as the physical store or immersive spaces like the metaverse. The fashion and creative industries are considered early adopters and pioneers in the use of immersive and AI technologies which makes them an interesting sector to investigate. Further to experiment with basic AI and other frontier technologies such as the metaverse, nonfungible tokens (NFTs), augmented or virtual reality, the fashion industry is unveiling the potential of generative AI.

Title: Advanced ultrasonic NDE for multi-category damage characterization in multi-layered structures

Supervisor: Dr Leandro Maio

The primary objective of this research project is to push the boundaries of ultrasonic Non-Destructive Evaluation to ensure the structural integrity and safety of advanced multi-layered materials. In modern high-performance engineering, the ability to accurately detect and classify internal flaws before they lead to catastrophic failure is of paramount importance. This investigation is critical because it bridges the gap between theoretical damage models and real-world inspection challenges. By focusing on the precise identification of internal anomalies, this study directly addresses the industrial need for more reliable, efficient, and sensitive quality control protocols in safety-critical applications.

To establish a robust and comprehensive testing methodology, a representative multi-layered panel has been specifically engineered with nine internal inclusions. These artificial defects are divided equally to simulate three distinct categories of damage, allowing for a realistic assessment of how different flaw types interact with acoustic waves. Furthermore, to account for the complex volumetric nature of real-world damage, these inclusions are strategically distributed across three different internal depths or interfaces within the structure. This rigorous experimental design does not merely seek to find a defect, but aims to map the exact sensitivity limits of ultrasonic inspection when faced with varying flaw compositions and locations.

The core of this research lies in evaluating the reliability of ultrasonic detection through both pulse-echo and through-transmission scanning modes. The significance of this dual-approach investigation cannot be overstated, as it evaluates the capacity of standard inspection techniques to resolve complex, overlapping damage scenarios. By analysing how acoustic energy is reflected, attenuated, and scattered by the various inclusions, the project will yield fundamental insights into wave-material interactions.

Ultimately, the outcomes of this work will provide a quantifiable benchmark for flaw detectability, offering the industry optimized scanning strategies and a deeper understanding of damage behaviour in complex layered media.

During this internship, the student will play an active role in the analytical phase of the project especially. The core of the student's work will focus on the extraction and manipulation of the raw ultrasonic data to transform standard waveforms into highly informative visual diagnostic tools.

Title: Seeing is believing for materials' microstructures

Supervisor: Dr Dan Scotson

In materials science, the analysis of microscopy images is essential for accelerating our understanding of corrosion and degradation in the extreme environments experienced by jet engines. This eight-week internship will upskill the student in image analysis, software development, and app building to enhance the analysis of advanced ceramic coatings used in aeroplane jet engines.

The project focuses on applying AI techniques, particularly deep learning based image segmentation, to extract more reliable information from microstructural images. By quantifying changes in coating microstructures, the student will contribute to benchmarking performance under demanding operating conditions. The work will involve creating and refining existing digital tools, with the option to package and share the resulting code and app. This will provide the student with practical experience in research software workflows while generating impactful outputs that support the next generation of coating development.

Title: Simulating heat and stress in next-generation solid-state batteries

Supervisor: Dr Ge Wang

Solid-state batteries are the future of safe, high-capacity energy storage, but internal heat and electrical stress limit their performance. This project introduces students to the exciting world of battery research without prior experience needed. Using industry-standard COMSOL software, the intern will build a 2D digital model to visualise temperature and electricity flow during charging, running virtual experiments to create maps. Alongside this digital work, the student will shadow a PhD researcher in the lab to synthesise real solid-state electrolyte materials, directly connecting their computer models to physical chemistry. By mastering these highly transferable skills in a fully supported environment, the intern will gain practical research experience and the confidence to pursue a STEM PhD.

Title: Study of unsteady nanofluid boundary layer flows

Supervisor: Professor Jitesh S B Gajjar

Nanofluids are engineered suspensions containing nanosized particles, typically less than 100 nm in diameter. They have attracted considerable interest in recent years due to evidence suggesting that such fluids can enhance heat transfer and thermal conductivity, making them promising for a wide range of thermal applications. The present project focuses on a particular configuration: the boundary layer flow of a nanofluid over a stretching sheet. In this setting, the unsteady boundary layer equations are formulated with prescribed external slip velocities and a variety of boundary conditions. Many published studies obtain solutions by seeking similarity forms of these equations. However, in our view, the methodology commonly adopted contains fundamental flaws, particularly in the treatment of the time variable. Similar issues arise in related steady formulations that involve spatially varying slip velocities, where certain terms are handled inconsistently or incorrectly.

Our aim is to take a simplified model problem and investigate its solution structure rigorously. Doing so will allow us to highlight and correct the errors that appear in many existing papers. The project will involve numerical solutions of the governing differential equations and is expected to lead to publishable results.

Title: Calibrating the L-BASS radio telescope at Jodrell Bank

Supervisor: Professor Ian Browne

L-BASS is a small special-purpose radio-telescope sited at Jodrell Bank designed to map the sky to test the claim that there is a mysterious unexplained radio background (not the Cosmic Microwave Background). Confirmation of this new background’s existence would be a very exciting result. Accurate calibration of the instrument is key to the success of the whole project.

An intern would help with two independent calibration approaches, one using observations of the Sun and the Moon made with a Jodrell 7m radio telescope, and the other help with testing a cryogenically cooled reference source we are building. Radio astronomers measure the brightness of the sky in terms of the absolute temperature (Kelvin) that a blackbody would have to produce that strength of radiation. Both the calibration methods are designed to enable us to measure the brightness of the radio sky to a precision better than 0.1 Kelvin. The intern would make observations with the 7m telescope and analyse them and also help with laboratory testing of the cryogenic reference source. The intern working on L-BASS last year said “Being funded by Urenco helped me develop the skills to aid me in a masters leading to a future research career.

Title: Design an X-ray betatron source

Supervisor: Dr Hossein Saberi

Betatron radiation offers a compact and versatile source of ultrafast X ray pulses. In this advanced scheme, an intense laser pulse drives a plasma wakefield, simultaneously accelerating a high energy electron beam and producing an ultrashort burst of X ray radiation. Betatron sources share key characteristics of radiation from large scale facilities such as synchrotrons and XFELs, yet achieve this within a table top system. This makes them particularly attractive for smaller laboratories and industrial research settings where access to major X ray facilities is limited. X rays penetrate dense materials, probe atomic scale structures, and capture ultrafast dynamics in biology, chemistry, and materials science. This project places the student at the forefront of research in laser-driven X-ray science. They will gain hands on experience with:

• Simulation tools for plasma and radiation modelling, and high performance computing (HPC) environments
• Python-based data analysis and visualisation
Insight into how betatron pulses meet the demands of imaging, spectroscopy, and ultrafast science

This combination of multi-domain physics and advanced computational skills provides excellent preparation for careers in academia, national laboratories, and high tech industries.

Title: Development and validation of a multiplexer-based measurement interface for high-throughput spintronic device characterisation

Supervisor: Professor Ivan Vera Marun

Spintronics is an active area of research exploiting the fundamental property of electron spin, not its charge, for device architecture. An accepted applicant would be tasked with undertaking self-directed expansion of the interfacing equipment that lab members utilise to conduct research. The interfacing equipment in question is a multiplexer, to which the accepted applicant will work to connect to the measurement equipment, and then connect to a breakout box, which allows measurement of the microscopic devices of research interest. Once constructed, the applicant will be tasked with stress-testing the system and then shadowing/providing aid to the use of their produced connections to lab users for research purposes. The results of this project shall be a robust interfacing system that improves measurement throughput of the lab and reduces setup complexity for future experiments.

Title: Finding the first black holes in the universe with JWST

Supervisor: Professor Christopher Conselice

This summer project will investigate the formation and evolution of some of the earliest galaxies in the universe, focusing on systems that formed within the first 500 million years after the Big Bang. During this early epoch, galaxies were rapidly assembling while the first generations of stars and compact objects were established A key aim of this project is to explore whether the presence and growth of black holes at the centres of these early galaxies played a significant role in shaping their evolution.

The study will address this using observational data from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which provides highly sensitive infrared imaging and spectroscopy capable of detecting extremely distant galaxies. By examining the properties of primordial galaxies and identifying signatures associated with early black hole activity, this project will assess how black hole growth relates to galaxy structure, star formation, and energy output. The results will contribute to a broader understanding of galaxy formation in the early universe.

Title: Measuring the dynamic surface tension of sub-microliter liquid volumes

Supervisor: Dr Finn Box

Droplet surface tension can easily be measured with standardized methods such as the pendant drop method and the Wilhelmy plate method. However, these methods typically require a liquid volume of at least 10uL for accurate and robust measurement. The purpose of this internship is to test and validate a new method of measuring the dynamic surface tension of a sessile droplet as it evaporates and its volume reduces below this limit, to sub-micron volumes. These experiments will be performed using existing equipment in the Physics of Fluids and Soft Matter laboratories. By testing different liquids and measuring the surface tension of droplets with different volumes, the student will inform the development & benchmarking of a new technology.

Title: Optical response of molecules confined between two-dimensional materials

Supervisor: Professor Radha Boya

Nanometre-scale confinement dictates the properties and functionality of molecular systems that are essential not only for their role in biological and chemical systems, but also for technological applications such as in optical devices and sensors. Both structure and dielectric parameters of the molecular condensates can be unveiled by their optical response under such confinement conditions or at interfaces. We look for a motivated student for a summer internship focused on developing a Python-based model to extract key information and parameters from experimental observables and vibrational spectroscopy data. Background in Science or Engineering, as well as solid programming skills in Python and/or C-language are essential. It is desirable that the student has strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Basic knowledge on the fundamentals of optics such as Fresnel reflection from dielectric dielectric materials, and basic 1st-year level concepts of Vibration & Waves including the simple and damped harmonic oscillator are a plus. The internship offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research with hands-on experiences in predictive theoretical modelling. Successful candidates will also have the opportunity to interact with other researchers and participate in insightful scientific discussions in the group.

Title: Quantum many-body dynamics: The emergence of boundary time crystals

Supervisor: Dr Alessandro Principi

This 8-week internship offers the opportunity to work on a timely and fastly-growing problem in quantum mechanics at the interface of open quantum systems, many-body physics, and non-equilibrium dynamics. The project will focus on boundary time crystals (BTCs), striking phases of dissipative quantum matter in which collective spin observables display persistent oscillations under Lindblad evolution. Recent literature has shown that BTCs are relevant not only for fundamental questions about time-translation symmetry breaking, but also for quantum sensing and dynamical phases of matter.

The student will begin by reproducing selected results from the BTC literature and from our recent work, which introduces a new, fully quantum interpretation of collective spin dynamics in terms of operator-space transport and links BTC behaviour to non-reciprocal dynamics in Liouville space. The project will then explore whether similar ideas can be extended to Heisenberg spin chains, opening a path beyond collective models. Depending on progress, the internship may lead to involvement in ongoing research and possible contribution to future publications.