Applied Product Science Placement

British American Tobacco UK has an exciting opportunity for an UNDERGRADUATE INTERN – APPLIED PRODUCT SCIENCE in Southampton – Fixed-term (12 months)

We have an exciting opportunity for students who are currently undertaking a degree in Chemistry, Materials Science (or a physical science-related subject) to join our Research & Development function, based in Southampton, on a 12-month undergraduate placement.

This placement is with our Applied Product Science Team and will focus on the management of several key product science activities and projects. The Applied Product Science team are part of BAT’s New Categories R&D and our science underpins the development and characterisation of new technologies to be developed into future products. The role holder will also be responsible for scoping and designing scientific studies, execution of testing, analysis, and interpretation of data to provide recommendations to internal stakeholders.

In the UK, we offer 12-months placement opportunities (starting on 1st September 2027) to undergraduate students looking to gain practical experience within a vibrant and innovative industrial setting. As part of the scheme, you will be partnered with a mentor, have regular reviews with your Line Manager and work on projects that impact the business.

BAT has an established placement programme, with a dedicated Placement Team, which provides training and development throughout the placement. This includes sessions for onboarding, presentation skills, critical thinking, scientific poster presentations and ‘speed networking’ with senior management. Successful applicants are provided with multiple opportunities to develop transferable skills in addition to gaining ‘hands on’ experience in a technical discipline.

As part of the scheme students get a chance to cultivate their independent thinking and problem-solving skills in addition to working in and contributing to a team. Cross functional/department working and participation in other research activities is also encouraged, where appropriate. Previous work experience in a practical ‘hands-on’ role would be useful but not essential.

This role is due to start in September 2027, and we will be shortlisting applications and carrying out video/ online interviews whilst the advert is live. We will look to make an offer to the successful candidate as close to the closing date as possible. However, the vetting and onboarding processes for successful candidates won’t begin until the role is opened in our system, which is likely to be later in 2027, so we will contact successful candidates again to commence these processes when the position opens.

We reserve the right to close this advert before the 31st of December if we have a high level of applications.

• Managing projects / key activities (timelines and deliverables) for both internal and external partners
• Literature research
• Defining study approach and designing test products
• Designing experiments
• Conducting / commissioning experiments
• Interpreting data (collating, analysing and statistically evaluating data)
• Preparing for technical reviews
• Writing reports and presentations on key findings, outcomes, and recommendations

• Students working towards an undergraduate degree in chemistry, material science or a physical science related discipline
• General laboratory skills and attention to detail
• The ability to design and conduct experiments and investigate science from first principles.
• Scientific curiosity and critical evaluation of data
• Experience in writing scientific reports

• Salary of £26,700 per annum
• Subsidised on-site gym membership
• Subsidised…