Placement student - Marketing and Communications Assistant

Closing Date

17 Aug 2025

Salary

Unpaid work experience placement

Address

Fully remote, with UK travel

Duration

Part time or full time, Fixed term for 3-12 months

Job Title:            Placement student - Marketing and Communications Assistant

Reports to:         Marketing and Communications Manager, or Chief Executive

Manages:           No direct reports

Location:            Fully remote, with UK travel

Salary:               Unpaid work experience placement

Terms:                Part time or full time, Fixed term for 3-12 months

                             This role may require out of hours working, travel and external/internal events

                             Start date must be from 1 September 2025 onwards

About the British Neuroscience Association

The British Neuroscience Association (BNA) is a charity with a mission to connect, represent and promote neuroscience and neuroscientists across the globe. We are a vibrant and progressive community that spans a broad spectrum of neuroscience sectors and disciplines, with over 3,000 members from 45 countries. The BNA is the largest UK organisation representing all areas of brain research.

The BNA is pleased to offer placement opportunities for undergraduate, masters and PhD students, for whom undertaking a placement is integral to the course. This is an excellent opportunity to experience a diverse range of roles in a charitable organisation and develop skills in project management, communications, stakeholder engagement and time management. Placements also offer a valuable opportunity to create and expand a scientific and professional network.

The BNA Executive Team work closely with trustees, committees and working groups and are responsible for the management and delivery of a diverse range of activities that benefit members and wider society. Placement roles are aligned to strategic priorities within the organisation and are fundamental to delivering our charitable objectives and mission.

We are an inclusive and collaborative community and offer flexible working conditions with a number of benefits. By undertaking a placement with the BNA, you will be working with us to create an exciting and sustainable future for neuroscience. As such, you will have the opportunity to make a lasting and meaningful difference to the BNA community and all its members.

About the role

The BNA accepts up to 2 placement students per year to support key strategic activities and provide a unique opportunity for students to gain an insight into charity management and governance.

The placement will be primarily supervised by the Marketing and Communications Manager, with support from the BNA Chief Executive.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Writing scientific blogs, meeting reports and articles for the BNA website, newsletter and print publications
• Maintaining the BNA website, ensuring content is up to date and relevant
• Supporting the Marketing and Communications Manager to design and create content for social media to advertise upcoming initiatives and events
• Supporting the Marketing and Communications Manager to engage our membership via email, print and social media communications outlets
• Assisting the BNA Executive Team with in person and online events
• Attending BNA Executive Team meetings and contributing to key activities

The candidate

Applicants should be undertaking an undergraduate or postgraduate sandwich course in one of the following subject areas:

• Neuroscience, Psychology or a related scientific discipline
• Communications or Science communications
• Marketing
• Journalism
• Media studies

Desirable Skills:

• A passion for science communication, writing and engaging people via a range of media
• Enthusiasm and motivation to learn
• Attention to detail and time management skills
• A pro-active approach to work and the ability to work remotely
• Familiarity with social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn etc)
• The ability to communicate with a range of people, in a range of ways, including by email, written word, phone or in person.

What we offer

• A flexible, remote work schedule
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
• Flexible annual leave plus bank holidays
• Access to a huge range of discounts and exclusive deals via CharityDiscounts.com
• Professional development, training and exposure to a vast network of contacts for your future career

Essential information

This role is fully remote, with occasional travel.

The BNA Executive Team is a small team of 8-10 individuals. You will work particularly closely with the Chief Executive and Marketing and Communications Manager, however, you will be expected to interact with all members of the team across activities. 

We expect students to complete normal working hours between 9am-5pm, 4 days per week, however we can host students on part-time placements and accommodate flexible hours.

The BNA provides the placement only. It is the responsibility of the student to organise all other requirements, including living and funding arrangements with their home institution/university.

Placements are unpaid and are offered as part of completing a degree course. Expenses incurred during the placement, for business purposes, e.g. travel to meetings, will be covered.

During the course of 2025-2026 placements, the BNA plans to hold a number of in-person events. Students undertaking placements with the BNA at this time will be expected to assist with running some or all events. They will be able to attend and have expenses covered by the BNA.

Further Information

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter demonstrating why you would like to undertake a placement with the BNA and what you would bring to the organisation, to: office@bna.org.uk.

Please also include information about the duration and timing of the placement position you're seeking.

Deadline for applications: Positions for the academic year 2025-2026 will be filled as soon as suitable candidates are identified, please apply by emailing office@bna.org.uk at any time.

Interview: Online via Zoom

Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
We encourage applications from individuals of all ages and backgrounds, including under-represented groups such as returning parents or carers, members of BAME communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and people with disabilities or impairments, to apply.
Please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustments so that we can help to make the application process accessible to you.

Contact Details

office@bna.org.uk