Each year, NHSN hosts undergraduate students on ecology, conservation and wildlife-related degrees, offering them the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of work in the environmental sector.
About this Opportunity
Once a year, NHSN recruits students enrolled on recognised sandwich-year courses to join one of our teams for 9–12 months, gaining hands-on experience in the field, in the office, and across the community.
As a small regional charity, NHSN is home to a close-knit staff team, with much of our work delivered by more than 200 passionate volunteers across the North East. By joining NHSN as a Student Naturalist, you’ll become an active part of a thriving community dedicated to protecting, exploring, and understanding nature.
You can read past blogs by NHSN Student Naturalists here, here and here.
Please note, NHSN does not offer schools work experience because of the short-term nature of the experience and the level of supervision required.
Key Information
This role is carried out five days per week during standard office hours, with occasional flexible working required, such as evenings and weekends.
Placements typically begin in September and run until either July or September of the following year.
NHSN operates a flexible working policy and offers a generous holiday entitlement for full-time placements.
Example Activities
Due to limited capacity, our work can vary greatly. Examples of tasks that may be undertaken during your placement are outlined below; additional activities will be agreed with members of the staff team, and your own ideas are very welcome.
You may be involved in the following:
- Assisting with welcoming visitors at Gosforth Nature Reserve and ensuring they are kept up to date with the latest news and wildlife sightings.
- Accompanying NHSN naturalists on regular wildlife surveys, including butterfly transects, BeeWalks, WeBS counts, and seasonal moth nights.
- Writing regular blog posts for the NHSN website about your placement, exciting visits, and other opportunities undertaken while with NHSN.
- Supporting NHSN’s Monday night talks at Newcastle University (October–March), working with staff to ensure events run smoothly and members receive a warm welcome.
- Undertaking shadowing opportunities with naturalists at Gosforth Nature Reserve and across the North East.
- Joining regular weekly conservation tasks to help manage habitats at Gosforth Nature Reserve, such as woodland management, reed clearance, and invasive plant removal.
- Leading the planning and filming of NHSN’s Wildside Walks vlog series, delivered annually by Student Naturalists.
About You
- You’ll be a friendly, welcoming and personable
- You’ll love to chat and meet new people
- You’ll be enthusiastic about wildlife and natural history
- You’ll be passionate about the wider work of NHSN
What We’re Looking For
No specialist knowledge of nature is required for this role – just an enthusiasm for natural history and meeting like-minded people.
What The Role Will Do For You
- You’ll receive full training and support associated with the role.
- You’ll spend regular time in beautiful and diverse outdoor settings.
- You’ll meet new people, make new friends, and become part of a diverse team passionate about nature.
- You’ll meet naturalists from all walks of life and share in their knowledge of the natural world.
- You’ll have opportunities to get involved in a wide range of activities, from events to citizen science projects.
- You’ll have the opportunity to attend courses delivered by expert naturalists, helping you to further your knowledge of the natural world.
How to Apply
- Please read the Placement Information Pack here. If you have any questions, please email James Common at the address below.
- Please send a cover letter supporting your application to james.common@newcastle.ac.uk, setting out why you wish to undertake a placement with NHSN and what you feel you will bring to the Student Naturalist role (max 1-side of A4)
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a face-to-face meeting at Gosforth Nature Reserve or the Great North Museum: Hancock for an informal chat about the role.
My placement with NHSN has given me not only improvements to my professional development but also a grounding sense of purpose. With great encouragement and support from staff and volunteers, I’ve been given many opportunities to develop key transferable skills, such as project management, communication and engagement. I’ve found myself really thrive while working with NHSN and highly recommend this placement for students who are looking to follow a path in conservation and non-profit organisations.
Amber Tatman, NHSN Student Naturalist
