2026 Summer Internship – Applied Scientist – Cambridge

Company Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

Job Description

Power Your Curiosity at PA

Why consider joining as an Intern in Applied Sciences?

• As an Applied Scientist at PA, you’ll be able to apply what you have learned to real world challenges – this could be any part of your degree or science you have never seen before.
• Our Applied Science team is made up of chemists, physicists, chemical engineers, material scientists and biologists who are constantly learning about their craft and broadening their knowledge, working alongside colleagues who all have a passion for using what they know, every day.
• Throughout your internship you might find yourself getting involved in developing a new medical device, novel sensors, or a new consumer product. And because we think (and work) fast, you could see a product at any stage from concept ideation through to prototype manufacture and even launch.
• During your weeks as an intern at PA, you’ll learn some of what it takes to be a top-notch consultant. You’ll be coached and guided by experts and have countless opportunities to broaden your experience on challenging projects and programmes. Whatever you work on, you’ll be part of the team and free to build your networks, both here at PA and far beyond – see what previous interns have achieved here.

What you can expect

We can’t tell you everything we are doing at the moment – there’s not enough space! Some of the core capabilities the Applied Science team supports are:

Making Science real

We help clients understand, contextualise and mature science from a blank sheet of paper to real world products and capabilities. We do this by understanding what the problem is that they are really trying to solve, and how we can use the whole palette of techniques available within science to do this. Our breadth spans the creation of new kinds of radio receiver based on atomic gases, showing quantum computes can help make better decisions, to working with exciting start-ups to accelerate the development of affordable cell and gene therapies, which is set to revolutionise the healthcare industry.

Enabling sustainability

The world needs products and processes that are more sustainable and make more efficient use of resources. We develop novel materials as replacements for single use plastics, novel sensors and sensing systems to help us make more intelligent use of resources; we support public sector, start-ups and the world’s largest corporates in understanding and achieving their sustainability ambitions.

Creating new medical devices and therapies

We develop new medical devices and the manufacturing processes that help save lives. We supported the UK’s Ventilator challenge – massively scaling the supply base for ventilators during the pandemic – everyone who needed a ventilator got one, and made use of our physics base to create a new way to test autoinjectors – saving time, energy and resources in developing these lifesaving technologies.

There are so many more stories we’d love to share with you, but you’ll have to come talk to us to find out more!

Assessment process

• First Stage Assessments:
• Application form
• Online Assessments
• Shortlisting / Technical assessments
• Final Stage Assessments:
• Assessment Centre with Technical assessments
• Final Stage Interviews

The Offer

• A real chance to use all areas of your science degree to solve real-world problems
• A unique role striding a huge breadth of technologies and sectors
• We work flexibly at PA, but your work base will be at our Global Innovation & Technology Centre, Melbourn, Cambridge
• Salary potential: £24,570
• This role will start in June 2026 – for 8-10 weeks. Exact dates will be confirmed at offer stage.

A career at PA is what you make of it — so power your curiosity and prepare to make an impact.

Qualifications

Essential requirements

• Qualification: Completed or studying towards an undergraduate degree in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Biophysics, Biochemistry, Materials Science, or equivalent.
• Growth-oriented and curious — open to change, driven to succeed, hungry for new challenges, and eager to broaden your understanding of the world, new technologies, and new markets.
• Collaborative and relationship-focused — thrive in dynamic teams, build strong relationships with clients and peers, and support others to succeed.
• Credible and communicative — comfortable in high-performance environments, with excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and able to explain complex ideas to both experts and non-experts.
• Analytical and adaptable — demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities, innovative thinking, and the flexibility to apply your skills to new technical areas and work as part of a multidisciplinary group. Comfortable working in both a hands-on lab setting and performing desk-based research.
• Professional and reliable — show strong workplace etiquette by being punctual, dependable, and respectful of business expectations and office conduct.
• Practical and proactive — passionate about applying knowledge in real-world contexts, not just relying on rote learning, and take a proactive approach to getting things done.

This role is open to undergraduates in their penultimate year of university. If you intend to return to university after the internship to complete an MSc, you will also be eligible for this position.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply science in situations which will ultimately lead to real-world innovation.

We know the skill-gap and ‘somewhat need to tick every box’ can get in the way of meeting brilliant candidates, so please don’t hesitate to apply – we’d love to hear from you.

Apply today by completing our online application

Please be aware that some of our UK roles at PA Consulting require a UK security clearance.

All PA people are required to undergo background checks and to achieve the Baseline Personnel Security Standard however, some UK roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting, where applicants must have at least 5 years of continuous residency in the UK.

We therefore ask that you only apply if you meet the residency requirements (i.e. you are a British citizen or have been resident in the UK for the past 5 years), as this is the prerequisite for a security clearance. If you’re unsure about your eligibility, we encourage you to review the UK Government’s guidance on security vetting before applying.

Additional Information

Life At PA encompasses our peoples’ experience at PA. It’s about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work.

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We’re focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self.

Find out more about Life at PA here.

We are dedicated to supporting the physical, emotional, social and financial well-being of our people. If you join us, full time in a permanent role, check out some of our extensive benefits:

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
• Generous company pension scheme
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives
• Annual performance-based bonus
• PA share ownership
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief, veteran status, or any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Adjustments or accommodations – Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on earlycareers@paconsulting.com

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