Note that there are 7 additional roles with the Centre for Landscape Regeneration, advertised here. These roles are funded by NERC in line with the NERC Diversity and Inclusion Living Action Plan, aiming to improve diversity and inclusion in the environmental sciences.
Overview
This summer, Cambridge Zero is collaborating with the Centre for Landscape Regeneration, the Department of Architecture and Aldersgate Group to offer 17 paid project assistant positions to current or recent undergraduate students as part of the 2024 Future Leaders Programme. These roles present an opportunity to get involved in these organisations at a critical time for climate and environmental issues globally.
Project assistants on the Future Leaders Programme will gain paid work experience in a specific project relating to climate and sustainability, from communications to research to mapping to field and lab work. They will have the opportunity to work collaboratively and build networks with key professionals in these fields. Through their project, they will gain skills and knowledge that they can use in their future studies and career experiences.
Alongside their projects, project assistants on the Future Leaders Programme will undertake a development programme that will allow them to explore different career pathways in climate and sustainability and reflect on their own strengths and interests. As part of the Future Leaders Programme cohort, project assistants will have the opportunity to build community with their peers and will receive coaching and support from staff at Cambridge Zero and beyond.
Programme dates: 15 July to 13 September
Project assistants will work for 8 weeks during this 9-week period and will be able to take 5 days of leave.
These roles are paid the Cambridge Real Living Wage, a rate of £12.00 per hour, administered by the Cambridge Casual Worker System (CCWS). Project assistants will work 37 hours per week over 8 weeks and will receive holiday pay.
Eligibility
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These positions are for current undergraduate students, or candidates who have graduated from their undergraduate degree in 12 months.
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These positions are open to all undergraduate students, not just students from the University of Cambridge.
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You are welcome to apply to more than one position, but you can only be accepted for one.
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The candidate must, by the start of their employment, have permission to work in the UK.
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Please note that we cannot offer sponsorship for these roles as they do not meet the minimum salary requirements to obtain a Skilled Worker Visa.
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All project assistants are required to be in person in Cambridge for the weeks commencing 15 July and 2 September. Some of these roles are otherwise open to hybrid/remote working, but all project assistants must be resident in the UK for the duration of the programme.
Recruitment Process
In order to apply for a role on the Future Leaders Programme, you must submit an application via the corresponding Microsoft Form (linked below). We have developed some application guidance to help you understand what we are looking for in your application. You can view this here.
We will be hosting two online Q&A sessions for prospective applicants to the Future Leaders Programme:
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Wednesday 14 February, 12-1pm UK time, Zoom. Register to attend here: https://buytickets.at/cambridgezero/1136598
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Monday 19 February, 6-7pm UK time, Zoom. Register to attend here: https://buytickets.at/cambridgezero/1136610
The application process is intentionally designed to remove sources of unconscious bias. We remove name, gender and higher education institution from all applications before they are reviewed. All applications are reviewed by at least two members of staff. By opting for an open-text application form as opposed to a traditional CV and cover letter, we aim to allow applicants at an early career stage to demonstrate the diverse ways in which they’ve been able to develop transferable skills that are desirable for these roles.
The application deadline for all roles is 11 March 2024 at 11:59pm GMT. You must submit your application via the Microsoft Form before this deadline in order to be considered.
Shortlisted candidates for each role will be invited to interview before the end of March, with interviews taking place in April. Interviews will be held online via Zoom.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. Roles with the Centre for Landscape Regeneration are funded by NERC in line with the NERC Diversity and Inclusion Living Action Plan, aiming to improve diversity and inclusion in the environmental sciences.
Available Roles
ActNowFilm Project Assistant
Full details: https://www.zero.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-01/ActNowFilm%20Project%20Assistant%20%281%29.pdf
Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/qRyPq16EJy
Position with: Cambridge Zero, University of Cambridge
Manager: Elizabeth Simpson, Student Engagement Coordinator at Cambridge Zero
Location: Cambridge Zero office in Cambridge/Open to hybrid working*
*Please note that all project assistants on the Future Leaders Programme must be in person in Cambridge for the week commencing 15 July and the week commencing 2 September. If you are working remotely, you must be resident in the UK for the duration of your work.
Aldersgate Group Policy Communications Project Assistant
Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/mVQQV6RDSv
Position with: Aldersgate Group
Manager: Ben Pummell, Communications Principal at Aldersgate Group
Location: working between London office and Cambridge Zero office in Cambridge, with work travel expenses covered
*Please note that all project assistants on the Future Leaders Programme must be in person in Cambridge for the week commencing 15 July and the week commencing 2 September.
Community Mapping Project Assistants (5 roles available)
Full details: https://www.zero.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-01/Community%20Mapping%20Project%20Assistants%20%282%29.pdf
Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/KaQNrwy6Cu
Position with: Public Map Platform project
Managers: Dr Caitlin Shepherd, Dr Kewei Chen and Dr Tristian Evans
Location: Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn in North Wales*
*Please note that all project assistants on the Future Leaders Programme must be in person in Cambridge for the week commencing 15 July and the week commencing 2 September.
Climate Research Case Studies Project Assistant
Full details: https://www.zero.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-01/Climate%20Research%20Case%20Studies%20Project%20Assistant%20%281%29.pdf
Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/BppPnwDGQ0
Position with: Cambridge Zero, University of Cambridge
Manager: Dr Erik Mackie, Head of Research Engagement at Cambridge Zero and Dr Nik Petek-Sargeant, Research Engagement Manager at Cambridge Zero
Location: Cambridge Zero office in Cambridge/Open to hybrid working*
*Please note that all project assistants on the Future Leaders Programme must be in person in Cambridge for the week commencing 15 July and the week commencing 2 September. If you are working remotely, you must be resident in the UK for the duration of your work.
Climate and Sustainability Education Project Assistant
Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/zCDi1JHdJj
Position with: Cambridge Zero, University of Cambridge
Manager: Catrin Darsley, Education Manager at Cambridge Zero
Location: Cambridge Zero office in Cambridge/Open to hybrid working*
*Please note that all project assistants on the Future Leaders Programme must be in person in Cambridge for the week commencing 15 July and the week commencing 2 September. If you are working remotely, you must be resident in the UK for the duration of your work.
Cambridge Zero Policy Forum Project Assistant
Full details: https://www.zero.cam.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2024-01/Cambridge%20Zero%20Policy%20Forum%20Project%20Assistant%20%281%29.pdf
Application form: https://forms.office.com/e/9YMYq0tjnH
Position with: Cambridge Zero Policy Forum, Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge
Manager: Lauren Milden, Policy Adviser at the Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge
Location: CSaP and Cambridge Zero offices in Cambridge/Open to hybrid working*
*Please note that all project assistants on the Future Leaders Programme must be in person in Cambridge for the week commencing 15 July and the week commencing 2 September. If you are working remotely, you must be resident in the UK for the duration of your work.
See roles with the Centre for Landscape Regeneration, funded by NERC in line with the NERC Diversity and Inclusion Living Action Plan, here.
The 2023 Future Leaders Programme
Last year’s Future Leaders Programme, the fourth year of the programme overall, saw 9 project assistants working across various roles in Cambridge Zero and the Centre for Landscape Regeneration. You can read more about the programme and their projects in this article, written by the Research Communications Project Assistant, Ellie Austin.
Feedback from our 2023 project assistants:
“The Future Leaders Programme has been instrumental in my personal and professional growth… I’ve not only honed my ability to connect with others but also had the privilege of making new friends who have enriched my perspective in countless ways.” Edison Wan, Student Communications and Branding Project Assistant
“The programme was amazingly accessible. The immediate acceptance and understanding of needing support was incredible." Rachel Hammond, Plant Sciences Project Assistant
“The skills which I have developed during this programme will be an invaluable aid in the research projects I shall complete as part of my degree.” Toby Hibbert, Earth Sciences Project Assistant
“I’ve become much better equipped – not only with communication, field and lab skills, but also links, contacts and opportunities I’ve been offered. People have believed in and relied on me to do a huge variety of things and it’s really exciting.” Beth Stroud, Plant Sciences Project Assistant
"This programme has shown me that a career path bringing together my background in both agriculture and ecology is not only possible, but has the potential to be really impactful." Will Crook, Biodiversity Project Assistant
“The FLP has really helped me think about my career: I've always wanted to have a career that relates to climate and sustainability, but not had a clear idea of what kind of job I wanted. Through the FLP I was exposed to all the different careers people have, and the different genres/spaces that exist under the umbrella of sustainable careers.” Shumona Nath, Climate Education Project Assistant
“The support of the programme coordinator was above and beyond, and made the transition from graduating university into working within an office environment as smooth as could be - I cannot thank her enough for all the time and energy she has given to the programme and to each of us!” Ellie Austin, Research Communications Project Assistant
Contact Us
If you have any questions about applying for the Future Leaders Programme, please email Beth Simpson, Student Engagement Coordinator at Cambridge Zero and coordinator of the Future Leaders Programme, at elizabeth.simpson@admin.cam.ac.uk
