Our internship programme offers students a unique opportunity to develop professional and laboratory skills.
Each year, we welcome applications from students who are currently studying a relevant undergraduate science degree, with an optional professional training year, at a UK university.
These internships run from September to August and are based at The Pirbright Institute in Surrey.
Applications for 2026/2027 are now open.
- Internship dates: September 2026 to August 2027 (11 months)
- Salary: £23,650 (£25,800 per annum FTE)
How to apply
To apply for one of the projects, complete the application form and return to: studentship@pirbright.ac.uk. Please ensure that you include the reference number and title of the project that you are applying for.
Please note: You may apply for one project only.
Applications close on 16 February 2026 (Close of Business).
Online interviews will be held during March 2026. Due to the nature of the work carried out at the Institute, successful candidates will be required to undergo a comprehensive screening process before commencing the internship.
Our internships require students to have the right to work in the UK.
Available projects
Project Title: Engineering modified-live virus vaccines to silence immunoregulatory molecules and improve immunity to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome viruses (Ref: 01/RB)
Supervisors: Rory Fortes de Brito and Simon Graham
Research group: Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Immunology
Project Title: Cell biology and imaging of Lumpy Skin Disease Virus infections (Ref: 02/MH)
Supervisors: Miguel Hernandez-Gonzalez and Jonas Albarnaz
Research group: Large DNA Virus Assembly and Capripoxvirus Biology
Project Title: Determining the influence of life history traits on virus infection, dissemination and onwards transmission potential in Culicoides biting midges (Ref: 03/LJ)
Supervisors: Laura Jones, Rafael Homem and Chris Sanders
Research group: Entomology
Project Title: Sustainable Laboratory Design: Local Action, Global Relevance (Ref: 04/JT)
Supervisors: Jason Tearle, Julie Maryan and Adrian Zagrajek
Research group: Health Safety Biosafety & Environment and Training
Project Title: The chicken run – development and characterisation of novel chicken in vitro models for studying viral pathogens (Ref: 05/NO)
Supervisors: Natacha Ogando and Sarah Keep
Research group: Coronaviruses
Project Title: Environmental drivers of Culicoides behaviour and disease persistence (Ref: 06/MN)
Supervisors: Melanie Nicholls and Marion England
Research group: Vector Ecology
Project Title: Development of Orthoflavivirus replicon systems to investigate infection dynamics in different hosts (Ref: 07/TR)
Supervisors: Taissa Ricciardi-Jorge and Trevor Sweeney
Research group: Viral Gene Expression
What we offer:
- Subsidised student housing
- Subsidised staff restaurant
- 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days per annum
- Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
- Pirbright gym with subsidised membership
- Pirbright social club
- Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site)
- Cycle to work scheme
To learn more about The Pirbright Institute, click here.
