NATS

Research & Development Industrial Placement Scheme

Closes 1 Nov 2026

Placement

Science

Paid

Year groups

Not specified

Deadline

1 Nov 2026

Field

Science

Sector

Research & Academia

Year groups

Penultimate Year

Pay

Paid

Duration

12 months

Key facts

Degree required: 2:2 and above (expected); What will the Research & Development Industrial Placement involve? Depending on the project, you could explore artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital twins or how new airspace users, such as drones and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs), can be supported. Your placement will help you apply what you’ve learned at university, develop your research and problem-solving skills, and learn from people working across aviation and technology. We’re committed to your personal and professional development and will support you throughout the scheme. What are we looking for? One thing is clear: we can only achieve these targets through our people. We’ll be leading the way technically, operationally, commercially and politically, and you can help us shape the future.

Overview

What you'll do

This one-year placement will be based at either our Head Office in Whiteley or our Air Traffic Control Centre in Swanwick, Hampshire.

Eligibility

You’ll need to be studying towards a degree that allows you to complete a 12-month industrial placement as part of your course.
Unfortunately, we cannot consider candidates whose right to work is time-limited or dependent on visa sponsorship.

Structure & format

Funding structure

Competitive salary – £24,500 per annum 28 days of holiday entitlement plus Bank Holidays Market-leading defined contribution pension scheme NATS reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role.

Funding

Application process

Selection process

Assessment centres will be held between 30 November and 11 December 2026.
Candidates who pass this stage may be invited to a virtual assessment centre.

Application timeline

Assessment centres will be held between 30 November and 11 December 2026.
The start date for the scheme is 6 September 2027.

About the employer

Heads up

Dates can shift each year. Always confirm the live deadline on the provider's own page before you apply.