Undergraduate summer placements with SAMBa provide an opportunity for students to conduct independent research under supervision, and develop essential research skills and experience.
SAMBa summer research placements provide the opportunity for undergraduate students to work on a research project at the University of Bath for 8 weeks during the summer. You will receive dedicated support from a current PhD researcher in the Department of Mathematics and will have the opportunity to meet PhD students and staff members.
The 8-week award will include a stipend of £3,600 (£450 per week).
Further information is provided on this page and Frequently Asked Questions can be found at the bottom of the page.
Research experience placements provide a valuable experience for students who are considering a career in research to explore their potential and sample the research environment.
Spending a period of time immersed in a research environment is a great way to delve into the detail of an interesting and challenging question. It will give you the chance to experience how to go about developing research ideas and methodology, and how to implement them. Whether you would like to pursue a research career in academia or industry, this experience can be invaluable.
The placement will enable you to develop essential research skills and experience, as well as providing the opportunity for you to gain an understanding of what it is like to undertake a PhD.
Linking your research experience to the SAMBa CDT means you will have access to a framework of additional support such as mentoring from current PhD students, events and activities, and a vibrant research environment.
During your placement, you will be working on a research project with a supervisor. The project will be aligned to the research interests of the SAMBa Centre for Doctoral Training in the broad area of statistical applied mathematics.
Project topics cover the range of research being undertaken in SAMBa and will change from year to year to incorporate exciting new areas and directions.
If your application is successful, we will share a list of available projects with you and ask you to tell us which ones you are most interested in working on. You will be offered a project based on your academic background and experiences in conjunction with your preferences. It may not be possible for us to match you with your first choice of project but we will endeavour to find a match with a project that you are interested in working on.
Each research placement student will work with a current maths PhD researcher who will be lead supervisor. An academic co-supervisor will help guide the design and delivery of the project. You will also have the opportunity to meet other members of academic staff and PhD students.
During your time with SAMBa, you will be exposed to the SAMBa environment and will meet SAMBa PhD students and staff. Throughout your placement you will have the support of current PhD students.
You will have the opportunity to participate in SAMBa events and activities, such as:
At the end of your placement, you will be expected to showcase your work via a short oral presentation (10 minutes plus questions). This will give you the opportunity to practice your presentation skills and to share your research and experiences.
There may also be the opportunity to join future SAMBa events (such as Integrative Think Tanks and research presentations).
At the end of your placement, we will arrange an exit interview to learn about your experience and to collect feedback on how the scheme could be improved.
Applications should be submitted by 21 Feb 2025.
Please submit your application by email to: samba@bath.ac.uk and ensure you include the following:
(1) A cover letter setting out:
(2) Your CV
(3) A copy of your degree transcripts and marks to date
Stage 1: Submit an application for the SAMBa summer research placements programme by email (see ‘How to Apply’ above). Deadline for applications is 21 February 2025.
Stage 2: Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview in March 2025.
Stage 3: If you are offered a placement following your interview, we will share a list of available projects with you and will ask you to tell us which ones you are most interested in working on. We will allocate projects based your academic background and experience with consideration for your preferences. We may not be able to guarantee your first choice but will endeavour to match you with a project that you are interested in. You will be offered a project and will be asked to confirm your acceptance in April 2025.
Stage 4: Summer research placements will run between 30 June and 22 August 2025.
See ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ at the bottom of the page for further information.
If you are offered a placement we will ask you if you would like help with finding accommodation in Bath. We can help you to find accommodation provided by the University of Bath or can signpost you to alternative options.
For an 8 week period in the summer, you will undertake a research project at the University of Bath under the supervision of a supervisor who is a current PhD student.
Research experience placements provide a valuable experience for students who are considering a career in research to explore their potential and sample the research environment. Spending a period of time immersed in a research environment is a great way to delve into the detail of an interesting and challenging question. It will give you the chance to experience how to go about developing research ideas and methodology, and how to implement them. Whether you would like to pursue a research career in academia or industry, this experience can be invaluable.
Undertaking a summer research placement will provide the opportunity to explore what undertaking a PhD might be like and will help you to develop new skills or enhance existing skills that will be beneficial for your studies and career. You will experience how mathematical ideas can be employed to solve problems
All research projects must be supported by a supervisor at the University of Bath and be aligned to the SAMBa Centre for Doctoral Training. It is expected that you will spend your placement at the University of Bath, working arrangements should be agreed with your supervisor.
To apply you need to be enrolled on an undergraduate degree course at a UK Higher Education Institution and have student status for the period of the placement.
We would expect you to be studying a degree with a high mathematical content, for example, mathematics, statistics or physics. You should be on track to achieve a high 2:1 or first class degree.
We anticipate that the summer research placement will be most relevant for you in the summer before your final year of study.
The programme is open to UK and non-UK students. However, we are only able to accept non-UK students who are currently enrolled at a UK university onto the programme.
We particularly encourage applications from people who are from groups that are underrepresented in mathematics.
Applications open in December 2024 and close on 21 February 2025.
Applications should be submitted by 21 February 2025.
Please submit your application by email to: samba.ac.uk and ensure you include the following:
why you would like to be considered for a summer research experience placement and what you hope to gain from it your current fee status (UK/Home or Non-UK/International) your university, degree title and date when you are due to finish your UG programme where you found out about the scheme (e.g. SAMBa website, social media, academic at your institution etc)
You will receive a stipend of £450 per week for 8 weeks.
Accommodation is not included but we can help with arrangements for accommodation on the Bath University campus. We will be able to assist with accommodation bookings but you will need to confirm payment arrangements directly with the accommodation provider.
To provide an indication of costs, in July/Aug 2024 University of Bath accommodation ranged from £167 to £260 per week
Projects have been proposed by current SAMBa PhD researchers in conjunction with an academic co-supervisor(s). When you are matched to a project, you will be allocated to the supervisor that proposed the project.
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions about the programme
