This year, the VEC internship programme will run in collaboration with the Liverpool Enterprise and Leadership Academy (LELA) – a flagship leadership programme delivered in partnership between the University of Liverpool Careers & Employability team and Dr Jonny Higham from the Faculty of Science & Engineering.
This opportunity is enabled by the LCR Innovations project, funded by the Investment Fund via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. The initiative actively supports local SMEs through hands-on assistance that drives economic growth and innovation. Interns connect directly with industry, bridging theory and practice and strengthening their early careers. In turn, businesses gain fresh perspectives from talented, motivated interns applying their skills on-site.
The deadline for applications is Monday 18th May 2026 at 12 midday.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 3rd June.
The internship will start from w/c 8th June 2026 onwards.
The Internship Opportunity
We are searching for a number of interns from the University of Liverpool to join the VEC in between studies for a unique paid internship opportunity. Our teams have been running competitive and highly successful internship schemes for several years and are always looking to support the skills of the future.
The VEC internship will enable you to:
- Gain valuable hands-on experience whilst applying your knowledge to help solve real-world business problems.
- Gain access to the wider LELA network, including opportunities to connect with global industry leaders for building skills in digitalisation, sustainability, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship.
- Opportunities to connect with local businesses through exposure to VEC’s innovation leadership programme, Novel.
- Join our skilled team of multi-disciplinary experts, working on a wide range of projects.
- Delivering technical projects for real businesses across the Liverpool City Region.
- Explore opportunities and unlock new understanding.
- Get paid for your time – no coffee making either!
- Network with other like-minded interns, colleagues and professionals.
- Develop projects with the support of world-class facilities, laboratories and technologies.
- Develop workplace skills and gain confidence in a high-performing but supportive team.
Project Areas:
In line with LCR Innovations’ existing work and industry challenges, interns will have the opportunity to help shape and work on the following emerging projects:
- Materials Science: Robotics and Laboratory Automation
Work with a local SME and colleagues to develop a proof-of-concept laboratory automation solution using robotics technologies, based on the business’s existing challenges. This will involve gaining hands-on experience with the operation and control of robotics systems. You will then have opportunities to explore robotic simulation platforms to support the development of AI and autonomous solutions to build robotic intelligence. You will also have opportunities to learn about robotic systems security, performance monitoring and support the growth of our development frameworks. Following this, you will work with the business and other members of the team to integrate intelligent behaviour into the robotic systems. This may include work with cobots, humanoid, quadrupedal and other robotics-based hardware.
This project is likely to involve the use of skills across computer vision, robotics, automation and cyber-physical systems.
- Agents at Work: Agentic Factory and Simulation
Work with a local SME and colleagues to develop a proof-of-concept agentic factory. This will involve gaining hands-on experience with data capture, data mapping and process modelling to build a digital understanding of the business’s daily operations. You will then have opportunities to explore AI and machine learning-based approaches to build agents, which can simulate tasks. Following this, you will work with other members of the team to integrate agents and process simulation into a 3D digital twin environment. This may also provide opportunities to explore the use of computer vision and NFC techniques to support improved tracking and productivity.
This project is likely to involve the use of skills across AI, agent-based modelling, machine learning, process mapping and simulation.
- Connected Spaces: Smart Sensing and Intelligent Wearables
Work with a local SME and colleagues to develop a new end-to-end digitised proof-of-concept service offering for an industry client. This will involve gaining hands-on experience with emerging wearable and sensor technologies, such as smart glasses and environmental monitoring devices, to capture real-time data in live operational environments. You will then have opportunities to explore how captured data can be automatically processed and converted into structured outputs, reducing manual effort and supporting faster, more accurate decision-making. Following this, you will work with other members of the team to integrate these outputs into existing business systems, creating a seamless and auditable workflow from initial data capture through to delivery and ongoing monitoring. This may also provide opportunities to explore client-facing dashboards and reporting interfaces that allow businesses to track performance and compliance across their operations.
This project is likely to involve the use of skills across IoT, sensors, PCB and schematic design, data pipelines, systems integration, workflow automation, and full-stack development.
- Navigating the AI Frontier: Governance, Risk and Digital Strategy
Work with VEC colleagues and industry partners to research, analyse and develop strategic insights around the fast-evolving landscape of digital business, AI governance and regulatory compliance. This will involve gaining hands-on experience with industry and market analysis, exploring topics such as AI risk frameworks, emerging regulations, digital compliance requirements and governance reporting standards. You will then have opportunities to develop practical outputs such as briefings, analysis reports, and strategic recommendations that help businesses understand and respond to the opportunities and risks presented by AI and digitalisation. Following this, you will work with other members of the team to translate these insights into tangible tools or resources that support client-facing engagement and decision-making. This may also provide opportunities to explore data analytics and visualisation techniques to communicate findings effectively.
This project is likely to involve the use of skills across market and policy research, AI governance, regulatory analysis, data analytics, business strategy, and digital compliance.
- Innovation in Focus: AI Content Creation and Digital Storytelling for SMEs
Work with VEC colleagues and industry partners to plan, create and produce compelling content that communicates the impact of innovation and technology in the real world, telling the stories of businesses. This will involve gaining hands-on experience across a range of content formats, including filming, editing, and producing video content, graphic design, and written feature articles that bring business and technology stories to life. You will then have opportunities to develop your skills in storytelling and audience engagement, producing content that connects with a broad range of readers, viewers and stakeholders across VEC’s platforms and networks. Following this, you will work with other members of the team to shape and deliver content strategies that support VEC’s mission and help showcase the businesses and innovators it works with, including the use of AI tools to support creative content production. This may also provide opportunities to research and write in-depth features on business leaders, emerging technologies and companies making a positive impact in their communities. We would be very interested to see any portfolio of previous work.
This project is likely to involve the use of skills across video production, graphic design, podcasting, copywriting, feature writing, content strategy, and digital media.
Terms
This internship is open to students in their second and final year of study. This internship is based at the Digital Innovation Facility (L69 3RF) in the heart of the University campus.
The summer internship will start when your studies for the academic year have finished, so as not to clash or disrupt your learning. Exact dates can be discussed and agreed upon.
The internship close period can be discussed with the VEC management team but will typically end in September 2026 when your studies start for the next academic year.
You will be paid for this opportunity. The University of Liverpool is a Real Living Wage-accredited employer.
Ideally, students will hold an engineering, digital media or similar background and be eager to learn during their time at the VEC.
How to Apply
Send your CV to Emma.rhodes@liverpool.ac.uk along with a cover letter of no more than 200 words. The cover letter should express why the VEC internship interests you and what skills you are looking to develop. You can also include a link to a portfolio or examples of previous work and projects, although this is not mandatory.
The deadline for applications is Monday 18th May 2026 at 12 midday.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview at the Digital Innovation Facility on Wednesday 3rd June 2025.
The internship will start from the week commencing 8th June 2026 onwards (subject to recruitment processing).
Locations
The internships will be based in the Digital Innovation Facility (Dover Street, L69 3RF), but you may be required to travel to business locations across the Liverpool City Region – please let us know if you have the means to travel to these locations.
Time
The internship will take place during the summer months, with exact start and end dates to be discussed and agreed upon to avoid disrupting studies.
If you have annual leave or holiday booked, this can be flagged and worked around with the team.
About the VEC
The VEC (Virtual Engineering Centre) is part of the University of Liverpool and falls under IDEAS (Institute for Digital Engineering and Autonomous Systems). It co-locates world-class academic research and industrial applications in areas such as Autonomous Systems, Robotics, Data Analytics, and Artificial Intelligence, among others.
We have collaborated with hundreds of local SMEs in addition to working alongside larger organisations across a range of sectors and industries, including aerospace, automotive, arts and heritage, health and life sciences, nuclear, energy and manufacturing.
