Are you ready to drive national change and improve the lives of people living with Parkinson’s? Do you want to understand how research and evidence can inform policy making and build networks with key decision makers? Join us and make a real impact!
About the placement
Parkinson’s UK’s internship scheme provides an opportunity for PhD students to spend three months working in its ambitious policy team. As part of the team, you will work to secure improvements to policies that impact people affected by this devastating condition. This will include undertaking research and collating evidence to inform influencing activities, monitoring policy changes, and building relationships with policymakers and Parliamentarians.
Parkinson’s UK is looking for PhD students keen to gain experience in:
* Policy analysis and influencing
* Communicating evidence to a range of stakeholders
* Collaborative working
* Engaging people with lived experience
* Working in the voluntary sector
Internship timeframes
Four internship placements are available and will run from January-March 2026, April-June 2026, July-September 2026 and October-December 2026.
The internships will run on a full-time basis for three months. Full-time hours are 35 hours a week, with core hours of 10am-4pm. We will consider condensed working hours.
This placement will be hybrid or remote, with any in person activities such as attending the Parkinson's UK office (50 Broadway, London, SW1H 0DB) to be agreed with the Policy Manager. Travel expenses will not be covered by the charity.
Eligibility requirements
This internship is open to Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded PhD students enrolled in one of the following participating Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs):
* South Coast (SC) DTP
* CAM-DTP
* Grand Union DTP
* South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) DTP
* Northern Ireland and North East (NINE) DTP
* Welsh Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) DTP
* LSE ESRC DTP
* London Interdisciplinary Social Science (LISS) DTP
Confirmation from the relevant office or budget holder that the candidate is in receipt of an ESRC doctoral award and is eligible to undertake the internship as part of their studentship is required on application.
How to apply
Please apply via this page by sharing your CV, together with a detailed supporting statement of no more than two pages. Your statement should set out how you meet the criteria of the placement as stated in the ‘What you'll bring’ section of the role profile.
As part of the interview, we would be happy to discuss your professional development goals, and explore if and how the internship can be reasonably tailored to meet these professional development goals within the requirements of the role.
This vacancy will close on 27 October 2025.
Interviews will take place online on 6 and 7 November 2025.