Placements
Placements are a fantastic opportunity for doctoral researchers to apply their PhD skills in a new setting, to gain ‘hands on’ experience of innovation in practice and develop a broader perspective on future career options. Placements enrich training by providing experience of a workplace and culture outside of their usual academic environment. Through this, researchers gain new transferrable skills around communication, commercial awareness and leadership, which enhances their future employability.
A placement may form an integral part of your PhD programme and therefore cause no disruption to your progression or submission timeline. However, it is also possible for a placement opportunity to arise during the course of your studies which does not directly contribute to your PhD project. It is important that you discuss your interest in a placement with your supervisor/s as early as possible.
The Doctoral College Office can advise on whether a leave of absence is required, and if there are any visa implications (where appropriate).
Placement Documentation
UK based placements
The suitability of placement hosts must be assured using the UK Host Organisation Declaration Form (HODF). The HODF is required to ensure that the host environment is safe and suitable to host Loughborough DR students for a Doctoral Placement. Additionally, you must carry out a risk assessment in discussion with their host prior to starting their placement.
Placement periods spent with formal PhD project sponsors are normally covered in the contract between Loughborough University and the third-party sponsor. In such cases, a HODF would not normally be required.
Overseas based placements
The suitability of placement hosts must be assured using the Overseas Host Organisation Declaration Form (HODF). A HODF would not normally be required where the placement is taking place with the formal PhD project sponsor, which are normally covered in the contract between Loughborough University and the third-party sponsor.
You must also carry out a risk assessment and work through the Overseas placement checklist to ensure you have fully considered all aspects of the overseas placement.