We've hosted more than 150 PhD students since 2016, with many going on to policy jobs in government and think tanks
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Applications for our 2026 placements in both policy and evaluation are now open. To apply, please complete the application form .
Applications will close at 12pm on Tuesday 1 July.
About the team
The Open Innovation Team (OIT) is a cross-government unit that works on a wide range of policies, including health, justice, education, sustainability, energy, international development, and artificial intelligence. This year, the team has launched a new evaluation service which will evaluate the impact of policies across a range of areas.
For years now, PhD students have played an important role in helping us deliver policy projects, working alongside experienced officials, academics and other experts to deliver the highest quality analysis and advice to colleagues across government.
Alongside our policy placements, we are offering placements in the OIT's Evaluation Services Unit (ESU). The ESU uses a range of methods - quantitative, quasi-experimental as well as qualitative and theory-based - to evaluate government policy and assess its impacts. No prior experience of evaluation methodologies is required, though some knowledge of quantitative and/or relevant qualitative research methods is desirable for this placement.
Our PhD placements run throughout the year, spread across four cohorts. Placements normally last three months, with around 30 placement opportunities each year. Find out what our previous PhD placement students thought of their time with the Open Innovation Team here .
About the placement
PhD placements work on a diverse range of policy projects and are not expected to have prior experience of policy or knowledge of the policy area that they are asked to work on. This year, there may be additional opportunities to work on the evaluation of policies with the Team's new evaluation service.
Successful applicants should expect to:
- make significant contributions to the policy and evaluation work the team carries out
- help plan and deliver our events, bringing together academic experts and policymakers to work through policy problems
- assess and synthesise evidence and research, and learn how to present this for policymaking audiences
Students will also get the chance to help the team raise its profile, create new products and services for policy colleagues and deliver training and advice to academics.
All PhD placement work aims to build skills and provide students with an insight to what it's like to work on policy and in government.
The application process
There are three stages to the application process. All applicants must complete the initial application form. Those successful at this stage will be invited to complete an online written test. Those successful at the written test will pass onto the final interview stage.
Drop in sessions
If you would like to find out more about the placement, we will be running two Q&A drop-in sessions, which anyone is welcome to join:
Essential conditions for applicants
To be considered, you must be studying on a PhD programme at a UK university, and be in a position to take up the placement prior to your expected viva date. The placements are full time for the 3-month period.
You must also secure funding to cover the cost of the placement from your university, PhD funding body or other suitable organisation.
Successful applicants, on receipt of a placement offer, will be expected to be able to pass BPSS security clearance .
Apply for our 2026 PhD placements scheme here
