Co(l)laboratory - Universities for Nottingham
Supporting Nottinghamshire communities through partnership, research and collaboration
Find out about our research, guided by local communities.
What is Co(l)laboratory?
Co(l)laboratory is a joint, £5.1m project between Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham. Co(l)laboratory offers support through both PhD studentships and other research opportunities, such as the current Citizen Scientist Research Placements, which you can find more information about below.
Over the course of eight years, we will train 50 PhD candidates through a programme of locally relevant, challenge-based research.
Our PhDs are open to candidates from non-traditional backgrounds who are passionate about making a difference. Watch the video and visit the website to discover how we are embedding the voice of the local community into doctoral research.
Citizen Scientist Research Placements
As part of our mission to challenge the way universities do research and make our research more open and responsive to local communities, Co(l)laboratory has developed the Citizen Scientist Research Placements scheme. These placements aim to give local candidates with promising experience and new ways of thinking opportunities to contribute to positive change for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire communities, through practical research experience.
Co(l)laboratory’s placement projects are 6-12 week research projects which aim to explore emerging topics and challenges. Each project is carried out by a local placement candidate and is supported by a team of Nottingham researchers and a partner from a local community-focused organisation.
Applications open on Thursday 1 February 2024 and close on Wednesday 6 March 2024.
- Each placement project is focused on a unique research challenge based on community needs, and is supported by academics from University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, and a local community-focused organisation.
- Placements are part-time and fully support flexible working to enable candidates to fit the experience around their existing commitments and priorities.
- All successful candidates are paid a total support payment of £1,156.62 for their time, will receive access to University facilities, and a formal certificate of recognition on completion.
Find out about our three available placements below
Shaping better models of healthcare service provision for people with long-term health conditions in Nottingham communities.
This placement project aims to support the work of the Community Care Transformation Programme by understanding how the experiences of people living with multiple long-term health conditions can shape a sustainable model of community care provision; ultimately improving health outcomes for Nottingham communities.
The perspectives of late-diagnosed autistic adults on local post-diagnostic support in Nottingham & Nottinghamshire
This project aims to understand the perspectives of late-diagnosed autistic adults on local post-diagnostic support in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. This project aims to produce outcomes that will inform changes to local policy, research and clinical practice to improve the quality of life for late-diagnosed/older autistic adults.
What is the current situation in Nottingham with South Asian young men’s involvement in serious organised gangs?
The project seeks to understand what current data says about South Asian young men in Nottingham who become involved in serious organised gangs (SOGs). The project aims to shed light on what the influencing factors could be, and what specifically is happening in Nottingham. The outcomes of the project will inform Al-Hurraya’s future work and help to raise awareness with local stakeholders to provide a better understanding of these issues impact upon Nottingham’s communities.
Ready to apply?
Head to our online applicant portal to apply for a placement.
How do I apply?
All applications must be made through our online application form.
You will be asked to complete a short form which asks for some brief details and for you to answer a few short application questions. These questions are designed to understand your motivations for applying, what you hope to gain from taking part in a placement, and what skills and experience you have which you think will make you successful.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a short 20 minute interview in mid to late March 2024. The purpose of the interview is to give you a chance to meet the project team, and for them to ask you a short series of questions to help them understand what you want out of this opportunity and what you can bring to it to make it a success.
Who can apply?
To be considered for a Co(l)laboratory Citizen Scientist Research Placement, all applicants must meet our eligibility criteria, below:
- You must be over 18 years of age.
- You must be a resident of Nottingham City or Nottinghamshire County.
- You must NOT be actively enrolled in study at any university or research institution.
- You must have the right to work in the UK. A right to work check will be conducted
before starting. Without this we cannot pay candidates. - You must NOT have any previous postgraduate or professional research experience beyond that of
undergraduate level.
It is important that all prospective applicants have familiarised themselves with details of the project and project requirements before submitting an application. Please ensure you read the project adverts thoroughly.
Contact us
If you have any questions please get in touch at collaboratory@universitiesfornottingham.ac.uk or call +44 (0) 115 84 86877
