Thank you for your interest in the Work Experience programme at the Royal Observatory.
Applications for a placement in August 2024 are now closed. If you have applied, we aim to get back to you by Easter. We are unable to host students outside of our dedicated programming, which will run in August 2024.
Details regarding placements in 2025 will be available on this page in the Autumn Term.
Go behind the scenes at the Royal Observatory!
Work experience is a great way to get a feel for a profession, so if you're curious about what we do at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, then why not apply for a work experience placement!
The National Maritime Museum also offers work experience placements. Head here for more information.
Tell me more!
Our work experience placement offers secondary students from Year 10 - 13 the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Royal Observatory Greenwich to see what we do on a day-to-day basis and what our various programmes, both formal and informal, offer to visitors. The successful applicant will spend one week at the Observatory in August (exact dates will be confirmed with the successful applicants).
What would a work experience student do?
A work experience student will learn more about astronomy and science communication and will be involved in a number of things including, but not limited to,
- creating posts for the official Royal Observatory Greenwich Twitter account (@ROGAstronomers)
- sitting in on some onsite sessions for schools and the public, evaluating the sessions and suggesting improvements. The sessions you'll sit in on include planetarium shows and/or workshops.
- writing a script of what's in the night sky for a particular month to be included in our Look Up! podcast.
- chatting with one of the astronomers to find out about what it's like to be an astronomer. You'll be able to ask them any university or careers related questions you may have.
How many places do you have?
Presently, we are only able to offer six students work experience placements at the Royal Observatory Greenwich, covering three weeks in August with two students each week.
Will all activities take place onsite at the Observatory?
The activities you will be involved in may take place online, onsite or may be a hybrid (this will be discussed with the successful applicant). Wednesdays will be a work from home day.
How do I apply?
Applications for our 2024 programme are now closed and we will be getting back to candidates by Easter.
If you would like to apply for 2025, then details regarding this will be available in the Autumn. We are unable to host placements outside of our dedicated programme.
