For nine years, Science in the City has been building bridges between researchers and artists to organise a night of wonder in Valletta, as part of European Researchers’ Night. With over 30,000 visitors every year, as well as 20,000 views during this year’s online festival, it is a fantastic opportunity for scientists and artists to collaborate and get creative. Every year we look for new and exciting ways to engage citizens with science and arts. Dazzling artworks, inspired by Malta’s most relevant research, have become synonymous with the festival’s magenta logo.

Science in the City 2020 was about Engaging, Empowering and Enabling citizens through science and the arts to equip citizens with creativity, innovation and critical thinking, introducing a spark of freedom and the promise of progress into the world of human action. For next year’s festival, we are expanding on that theme and ensuring that it takes root in our society: Science in the City 2021 – Sowing Seeds!

Sowing Seeds is more than just about introducing an element of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) among researchers and citizens. It’s about enabling citizens to take an active role in shaping their future. As always in Science in the City, we do it through the arts. RRI focuses on ensuring all citizens take responsibility for their future, and through the added element of citizen science, we hope to bring industry, government, citizens and researchers together to address the problems we face as a nation and as citizens of this world.  

Science in the City (Malta’s national science and arts festival), Think magazine, Malta Cafe Scientifique, CineXjenza, Varcities and SciCulture are offering paid summer internships to interested applicants (bursary: €1,500 for the whole duration to cover rent and living expenses, + €500 travel fees for interns that need to move to Malta). This is a great opportunity for all tertiary-level students and others interested in developing their science communication skills. 

We are looking for hard-working individuals who can work in an intense but rewarding environment. A background in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) subjects, communication/marketing-related and design-related subjects, and a good command of the English language are considered an asset. Previous experience in similar roles is not essential but preferred. Training will be focused on writing, editing, magazine production, evaluation, event organisation and coordination, social media and website management. Limited training will be offered in photography, design or video production. Applicants who already have these skills will be preferred. Opportunities will also be available to be involved in other science communication activities, especially on EU projects. All applicants must participate in Science in the City—European Researchers’ Night on 24–25 September. This internship is supported by the Malta Chamber of Scientists and Ministry for Research, Innovation and the Coordination of the Post-COVID-19 Strategy.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this internship might first start remotely followed by a real-world presence. Travel restrictions to Malta are currently in place till the end of April, but since this is an evolving situation successful applicants will be kept updated with any developments and we will make the biggest effort to offer the best internships we can while placing people’s health first.

Science in the City 2020 was about Engaging, Empowering and Enabling citizens through science and the arts to equip citizens with creativity, innovation and critical thinking, introducing a spark of freedom and the promise of progress into the world of human action. For next year’s festival, we are expanding on that theme and ensuring that it takes root in our society: Science in the City 2021 – Sowing Seeds!

Application Deadline: 3 May  

Online Interviews will be held: 10–12 May

Applicants selected: by end of May

Internship duration: 21–28 June (or just after exams) till 1–8 Oct (approx. 3 and a half months, depending on start date)

Organisations make up a big part of Science in the City – from a group of individuals, to NGOs, companies, and government organisations. If you want to take part in next year’s Science in the City festival (2021), email [email protected] now or contact our organizer, Dr Edward Duca, on +356 99239974.

Each year, Science in the City recruits a large number of volunteers to help us bring the festival to life. Roles for volunteers range from photography and videography, research and evaluation, social media, crowd management, and so much more. If you want to volunteer and help out during next year’s festival, email [email protected]inthecity.org.mt now or contact our organizer, Dr Edward Duca, on +356 99239974.