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SCP 7686 Health & Care Undergraduate Research Intern

University of Exeter Internships
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Job Summary

The Department of Health and Care Professions at the University has an exciting opportunity on offer for undergraduate Medical Imaging and Nursing students across our programmes. The NIHR are funding three summer student research internships in the Department of Health and Care Professions. This prestigious opportunity will give you the chance to work on a research project alongside experienced staff, share learning, and produce an output- possibly a paper or contribution to a presentation or exhibition. 

This role is part of the Student Campus Partnership scheme and offers 148 hours of work starting from 23rd of June, for 4 weeks. The internships will be hosted on the St. Luke's Campus of Exeter University. A bursary of up to £1000 is available for travel/accommodation costs. You will be provided with a workspace that will include access to a computer and kitchen/refreshment facilities. 

 

Key Dates

Closing Date: 12/5/25

Interview Date: 22/5/25

Start Date: 23-30/6/25 (Flexible)

Duration: 148 hours/4 weeks

 

Pay: £14.33 per hour including holiday pay.

Up to £1000 in travel/accommodation support is available per intern.

 

Purpose of the Role

We have three projects on offer. The projects are all aligned with the ongoing research activities of academics within the department. 

  • Project 1- Utilising existing data, evaluating the effectiveness of new DXA guidelines on precision errors specifically in those with larger bodies.

Supervisor: Dr Fay Manning. 
Suitable for: Radiography and Adult/dual reg Nursing students. 
Working pattern: Flexible working hours. Data collection requires being on the St. Luke's campus, analysis can be undertaken remotely. 
 

  • Project 2- Assessing the objective and subjective validation of a post-processing application to scatter correction of grid-free radiographs.

Supervisor: Dr Rob Meertens. 
Suitable for: Radiography Students. 
Working pattern: Flexible working hours. Data collection requires being on the St. Luke's campus, analysis can be undertaken remotely. 
 

  • Project 3- Developing and disseminating The Creative Toolkit, which uses creative interventions to support mental health and wellbeing amongst frontline staff.

Supervisor: Dr Marie Clancy. 
Suitable for: Radiography and Nursing students. Working pattern: Flexible working hours. This role can be undertaken fully remotely if desired.  

 

Duties and Responsibilities 

Project 1

  • Conduct quantitative data analysis using retrospective DXA measurement datasets
  • Assess and compare bone mineral density (BMD) measurement precision across BMI categories
  • Evaluate the impact of updated DXA guidelines on measurement accuracy
  • Contribute to patient-centred research through involvement in PPIE activities within the Larger Bodies in Radiography (LBinRAD) project
  • Compile and report findings

Project 2

  • Ensure ethical compliance through low-risk chair’s action approval and maintain data confidentiality
  • Prepare and randomise hip radiograph images for analysis
  • Conduct objective image quality assessments using software to calculate SNR and CNR, followed by statistical comparison
  • Coordinate and analyse clinician-led subjective assessments using DetectedX software
  • Compile and report findings, including recommendations on the effectiveness of scatter correction techniques

Project 3

  • Support website updates and resource creation to enhance accessibility and engagement
  • Assist with workshop design, delivery, and participant engagement for clinical and educational audiences
  • Contribute to data analysis and evaluation of workshop impact
  • Compile and report findings

 

Training and Development - What Skills and Experience will this Opportunity Provide?

All projects:

  • Research/project management experience
  • Interdisciplinary working experience

Project 1:

  • Foundational BMD Course by the Royal Osteoporosis Society
  • Working with People and Communities to Improve Health Outcomes Course (NHS England)

Project 2:

  • Research ethics and compliance experience
  • Developing expertise in subjective and objective image quality assessments using software tools such as DetectedX and ImageJ

Project 3:

  • Experience of creative pedagogies
  • Guidance in design and dissemination of materials using digital tools
  • Working with People and Communities to Improve Health Outcomes Course (NHS England)

You will be asked to complete the university’s mandatory online training in: 

  • Prevent Duty - Inclusive, Cohesive and Safe Universities
  • Equality and Diversity Introduction
  • Health and Safety Introduction
  • Information Governance

 

Support Available

  • Regular meetings with your line manager
  • Regular 1-2-1 supervisions with project supervisor
  • Group meetings with other interns
  • On-the-job training/shadowing
  • You will be offered 1:1 support from the Internships Team.

 

The Benefits

  • Flexible working
  • Having a job that allows you to ‘give something back’ to the community
  • Reference
  • LinkedIn recommendation
  • Opportunity to partake in department research activities and groups.

 

About You (Person Specification)

Degree and Attainment

  • Applicants must be up to date with their studies with no outstanding (i.e. deferred or referred) assessments at the time of application.

Project 1 - Suitable for: UG Radiography/Medical Imaging and Adult Nursing students (including dual reg). Students can be any stage as long as the internship does not interfere with placement requirements. This role requires the intern to be on campus for at least a portion of the internship for data collection.

 

Project 2- Suitable for: UG Radiography/Medical Imaging Students. Students can be any stage as long as the internship does not interfere with placement requirements. This role requires the intern to be on campus for at least a portion of the internship for data collection. 


Project 3 - Suitable for: UG Radiography/Medical Imaging and Nursing students (both Adult, Mental Health and dual reg). Students can be any stage as long as the internship does not interfere with placement requirements. This role can be undertaken fully remotely. 

 

Note for Degree apprenticeship students- It has been agreed with the programme lead Dr Fiona Mellor that BSc DA apprentices will be eligible for this internship as long as they have permission from their trusts to undertake a period of unpaid leave to complete the project. Please provide a support letter from your trust (draft letter can be downloaded from attachments) with your application. 

Please note, due to restrictions of the funder, the opportunity is only open to undergraduate students, and therefore the MSc DA students are not eligible. 

Skills

  • Familiarity with MS Office packages including Excel and Word
  • Ability to present data in Excel (e.g. demographic).
  • Time management skills

Personal Qualities and Attributes

  • Willingness to learn new techniques such as varied methods and analysis techniques and / or further develop such skills.
  • Willingness to seek support / ask for advice.

Knowledge

  • Have an awareness of research methods and ethical considerations
  • Interest in or awareness of patient-centred research

 

About the University Department

The Department of Health and Care Professions at the University of Exeter is a leading academic division dedicated to advancing healthcare education, research, and clinical practice. Under the leadership of Professor Karen Knapp, the department is focused on delivering high-quality education at all career stages—from preregistration programs that equip aspiring nurses and radiographers to specialised postgraduate training for healthcare professionals aiming to become consultant-level clinicians and researchers. With a strong commitment to improving patient outcomes and advancing healthcare practices, the department is actively engaged in creating

future healthcare leaders through innovative programs and a collaborative learning environment.

 

Student Campus Partnership (SCP) Scheme Requirements

  • Applicants must have current student status or proof of an acceptance on a degree at the University of Exeter.
  • Applicants must be a student for the full duration of the internship.
  • The University of Exeter is committed to developing an environment which promotes equality of opportunity, values diversity and inclusivity. 
  • The University of Exeter is a Disability Confident Employer, committed to attracting and recruiting people with disabilities and retaining and supporting staff with disabilities. If an applicant declares a disability and meets all the essential criteria, they will be invited to interview.
  • We are committed to creating an inclusive culture and engage with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN and Project Juno for Physics), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark) and LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion).
  • We welcome applications from all eligible students and in particular those from underrepresented groups. Selection and recruitment itself will be based entirely on merit alone unless there are multiple applicants demonstrating equal merit. In this clear circumstance, preference would be shown to applicants from under-represented groups. This is in line with lawful positive action measures under sections 158 and 159 of the Equality Act 2010.
  • All applicants are required to provide their employer with proof of their Right to Work in the UK before they start work and follow the Intern Guidance- Proving Right to Work the UK.
  • All interns need to reside in the UK whilst undertaking this role.
  • Undergraduate students can work a maximum of 15 hours per week in term-term or full-time hours in vacation.
  • Full time Postgraduate students can work a maximum of 6 hours per week and no more than 180 hours per year, this includes those working already working as Postgraduate Teaching Assistants (PTA). You may work more hours with written permission from your academic.
  • You can check here for further details on the Scheme eligibility.

 

How to Apply

  • Please download and complete the attached 2024-25 Internship Application Form and upload to the job on Handshake. Please make sure you have downloaded the latest copy of the Internship Application Form.
  • Guidance and useful tips for completing your application are found on the Internship Application Form.
  • Refer to the job details contained within the advert when writing your personal statement.
  • Use the STAR approach to evidence each requirement in the Person Specification.
  • You should insert the correct reference code on the application form: SCP 7686 
  • Please save your Internship Application Form as ‘your surname - your forename - SCP 7686’
  • The University is a Disability Confident employer and as such this policy applies to recruitment through the Internship Schemes. Applicants who identify a disability on the application form will be offered an interview if their application demonstrates they meet the essential criteria.
  • Please also include details of reasonable adjustments you may need for an interview or to undertake the role.
  • You should explain why you would like to work for the employing organisation and why you think you would be a suitable candidate for this role.

 

Further Guidance and Support

  • You can refer to the My Career Zone Digital resources on application and interview preparation here.
  • If you need support with your application, you can book an appointment with a Career Zone Advisor by emailing careers@exeter.ac.uk.
  • Unless stated, interview expenses will not be paid.
  • It is recommended that you check your online presence on social media to ensure it represents you well, as some employers may undertake online research of their applicants.
  • If you have any questions, you can email the Internships Team at internships@exeter.ac.uk