Work with us
We are all equally responsible for creating a more resilient and sustainable future. By working together, we will find solutions faster and implement change sooner. Whether you are a local business keen on connecting with the future workforce, alumni wanting to invest in sustainable research, or school seeking educational resources, the University of Birmingham has the expertise and facilities to connect, collaborate and make change happen.
Opportunities for businesses and employers
Let’s co-create sustainable solutions with lasting impact
At the University of Birmingham, we engage with industry to forge collaborative research partnerships that spark real change. Partner with us and leverage our world-leading research and technology to shape a sustainable future for your business, sector and society.
Our award-winning Business Engagement and Research Impact team connects you to relevant expertise and provides support throughout the collaboration, from initial ideas through to creating impact. We work with businesses of all sizes, offering our influence, partnerships, and convening power to promote sustainable practices across our region and global networks.
Find out more about networking and partnership opportunities
Climate Innovation Platform
Engage with your future workforce
We have a long history of working with local businesses and a foundation of diverse students from across all backgrounds with 77% of our students coming from the state sector. Engaging with students is crucial for organisations who want to empower the next generation to lead, innovate, and act for a more sustainable future. There are a number of ways you can make important connections through our University.
- Become a mentor and develop professionally whilst encouraging future graduate talent to embark on sustainability-focused careers and industries. Find out more about what becoming a mentor involves by contacting mentoring@contacts.bham.ac.uk
- Our Employer Insights employer-led events series offers you the opportunity to meet with our students on campus or virtually to share insights into your sustainable organisation and your industry, empowering students with the knowledge of how sustainable industries operate and the benefits they bring.
- Offering sustainability internships and work experience opportunities not only provides you with the chance to train and inspire the future workforce, but it can also bring fresh new perspectives and ideas into your teams. Our talented students and graduates are passionate about acting for a more sustainable future and eager to learn.
- Careers Network is working with employers to create bespoke internship opportunities available exclusively to University of Birmingham students and recent graduates. If funding is a barrier to recruitment for you, please get in touch to discuss options. Funding may be available to support local SMEs, start-ups, social enterprises, third sector and public sector employers with interns receiving remuneration from the University, either directly via bursaries or via a wage from the employer.
- If you run a local business and want to employ our students to work for you on a part-time basis, you can contact the Guild of Students' Job Zone and/or advertise on our Careers department's online opportunities and events platform.
Fund one of our Summer Sustainability Student Internships or a groundbreaking project
Put your business at the forefront of world-leading research and help tackle some of the biggest human and ecological challenges of the 21st century by funding a sustainability project or internship at the University of Birmingham. Our dedicated Development and Alumni Relations Office (DARO) can talk you through options and advise on the areas within the University where your funding would make the biggest impact.
Volunteer
If your business is one of the many – like ours – that offers corporate volunteering opportunities to your employees then you can make an incredible impact supporting activities on our campus or within our communities. From inspiring students and supporting their career aspirations to contributing to groundbreaking research projects to developing ponds and biodiverse habitats on campus, find out how you can join the 12,600 volunteers across the globe who have given their time and skills to support students and research and our sustainability aspirations at the University of Birmingham.
Opportunities
Opportunities for University of Birmingham alumni
Opportunities for University of Birmingham alumni
How former students can inspire and shape our future
Nothing says sustainability more than ‘paying it forward’ in order to help and protect future generations, and our network of more than 350,000 alumni remains an integral part of the University’s onward sustainability journey.
Alumni, friends and supporters who are passionate about contributing time, expertise or funding towards helping the University of Birmingham address urgent sustainability and climate challenges will find a wealth of opportunities available via our dedicated Development and Alumni Relations Office. You could become a sustainability mentor, speak at one our Green Weeks, careers events or deliver a guest lecture relating to sustainability, fund one of our Summer Sustainability Student Internships or a sustainability project. To get involved or if you have any queries, please get in touch.
Opportunities for External Experts
Opportunities for External Experts
Share your knowledge and resources as one of our BISCA Associates
We strongly believe that tapping into new networks, sharing diverse knowledge and ideas, and combining expertise is the fastest way to drive the critical world-leading progress that is required to tackle urgent sustainability and climate challenges.
Join our community and become an associate for the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability & Climate Action (BISCA).
BISCA Associates form a dynamic and collaborative network of researchers who work across disciplines to address society’s most pressing environmental issues. Their collective efforts span climate science, health, finance, artificial intelligence, and more — generating actionable insights that influence global policy, shape local action, and drive innovation.
This growing community reflects our deep commitment to advancing impactful, cross-sector collaboration in sustainability and climate research.
We encourage applications from external collaborators and partners across all sectors and backgrounds who share our commitment to sustainability, diversity, and meaningful action. For more information, please contact the BISCA team at bisca@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
Teachers and schools
We support educators in other sectors, including primary, secondary and FE level through workshops (for educators) and the provision of resources to support in the classroom, in addition to providing in-person sessions in the classroom, or visits to campus. The Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR) are particularly active in this space. Check out our community page for more information.