Careers and volunteering
Looking for local career opportunities? Would you like to be more involved with CSES or STEM volunteering?
Read on for job vacancies, voluntary roles, training and other professional development opportunities.
If you're just starting on your career, check out our careers and work experience pages for general advice and information from local employers. Or, search local vacancies with our corporate members.
If you'd like to volunteer for CSES or the education sector generally
- Become a member of CSES.
- Register as a STEM Ambassador.
- Get in touch with us directly if you'd like to work with us.
Any time spent volunteering counts as Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Refer to your professional institution or the Engineering Council for details of CPD requirements, if applicable.

Last autumn term Make Happen ran a very successful series of online Ri Masterclasses in mathematics for students in year 9. We are looking to run another series of Ri Masterclasses in computer science with dates proposed in the coming autumn term, and are looking for volunteers who would be interested in running one of the sessions each.
Make Happen are looking for researchers / volunteers from any discipline to develop and run an Ri Masterclass in Computer Science for students in year 9. The session would take place via zoom on a Saturday morning in November or December. Some preparation would be required beforehand for the workshop outline and resources – Ben, the masterclass coordinator from Ri, will be able to support you with this.

Gaia at Chelmsford Cathedral: 12-30 October 2022
Chelmsford Cathedral is delighted to be hosting Gaia, the immersive art installation of the earth, for the first time in Essex.
Created by artist Luke Jerram, Gaia measures six metres in diameter and was created from 120 dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth's surface. Visitors to Gaia get to see the Earth as if from space; an incredibly beautiful, fragile and precious place. At night the artwork is lit up and accompanied with a specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones. Connected to the Cathedral's mission and achievements as an A Rocha Gold Eco Church Award holder, this awe-inspiring art installation will be complemented with an exciting programme built around two key themes: Environment and Engagement.
How can I be involved?
To help us deliver this exciting project, we are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. As a Gaia Volunteer you will meet and greet visitors, share information about the artwork, help direct people through the building and ensure everyone has a great experience encountering Gaia. Each day will be split into morning, afternoon and evening sessions and we hope that volunteers will complete at least three sessions over the course of the installation. All volunteers will receive full training and support from the Cathedral events team.
If you wish to volunteer, please apply by 12th August.
Link to application form: https://forms.gle/yEupkRrWH2kReoxx6

Chelmsford Innovation: Marconi and Beyond
When: Wednesday 22 June 2022 – Friday 15 July (see specific dates below)
Where: Marconi Building, Anglia Ruskin University, Bishop Hall Lane, Chelmsford, CM1 1SQ
Hours: 11:00 to 16:00 on each day the exhibition is open
This special exhibition will showcase artefacts of scientific and technological innovation from the last 100 years. This is not just about the past – there will also be forward looking displays sponsored by Leonardo and Teledyne e2v. Today, companies in Chelmsford continue to build the technology of the future, with high-tech developments in fields as diverse as space, medicine, communications, and defence. The impact of industry in Chelmsford on all of our lives is incredible. This exhibition will tell at least a part of that story, revealing how household names such as Marconi are echoed in the modern age.
The Chelmsford Civic Society (CCS) is looking for help on each of the days listed below. Your main duty will be to act as an exhibition ambassador and assist visitors with basis information about the content and location of the various exhibits. You may also be asked to assist with specific exhibits should the need arise (information will be provided).

Career development and volunteering with CSES and STEM Ambassadors
Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your career beyond the immediate day job? Perhaps you have some time to spare and would like to spend it supporting a local charity? Or do you enjoy volunteering for STEM outreach?
We have some very exciting projects in the works for 2022 (and beyond), and are seeking volunteers to help us with these.
Remember: any time spent volunteering for CSES counts as Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
- STEM Networking: Science and Technology for All (Thu 31 March)
- My Smarter Essex (Thu 21 April)
- Crompton and Chelmsford Pioneers project with the Ideas Hub (ongoing)
- Judges for TEXPO 2022 (Fri 17 June) and national Big Bang
- Chelmsford Innovation: Marconi and Beyond (22 June – 15 July)
- Chelmsford Festival Do and Discover weekend (25/26 June)
- Heath Robinson competition
- Mobile lab for primary schools
- Moulsham High School maths support
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023
- British Science Week 2023
There are further projects still in development: look out for announcements on these in the coming weeks and months.

To support a project for Primary and Secondary School Students: September 2021 to June 2022
We are launching a major new science, technology and computing project for primary and secondary schools.
We are looking for volunteers (STEM Ambassadors) who will help us by working as a champion to support student teams with the following:
- Collect weather and air quality information (equipment will be supplied).
- Interpret, publish and share data in real-time with other schools – opportunity for coding and web development.
- Undertake a survey of student, staff or parent perceptions of air pollution.
- Design and carry out a scientific investigation into clean air, nitrous oxides or particulate matter. Or you can discuss your own idea with your CSES School Champion to develop your own unique study.
Do you have a few hours a month to support this exciting project?

Career development and volunteering opportunities with CSES
As it enters its centenary season, CSES (Chelmsford Science and Engineering Society) is looking for new volunteers to grow the core team and drive forward its recently launched strategy.
Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your career beyond the immediate day job? Perhaps you have some time to spare and would like to spend it supporting a local charity? Or do you enjoy volunteering for STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) education and would like to be more involved?
This is an excellent chance to make a real difference to our community. CSES volunteers actively contribute to, and influence, what goes on locally by representing a respected body and working with a wide range of other organisations, including local government, the education sector and businesses. It is also a chance to grow your network, whether personal or professional.
Remember: any time spent volunteering for CSES counts as Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and is a perfect complement – or coda (we know plenty of retired people enjoy this sort of thing!) – to a career in the STEAM or education sectors. We are already affiliated in some way with many local employers – and want to build relationships with more – working with us is good for your progression and employment prospects.
- Festival Operations Officer opportunity at The British Science Association
- Electronic Engineer opportunity at CVC Components
- Raspberry Jam STEAM Festival – call out for volunteers
- Volunteers and participants sought for Communicating Connections
- Network and Systems Engineer Job Opportunity at SEA-KIT
- More FREE Digital Skills Training – this time by Google
- FREE Digital Skills Training by Facebook
- Mentors sought for Teledyne e2v schools' engineering challenge
- Go4SET mentor sought for Woodlands School (Apr-Jul 2019)
- CSES is looking for a new Secretary