Summer Intern - 2026

Living Optics is looking to welcome 3–5 interns over summer 2026 to participate in our exciting work and gain first-hand experience of life in a deep-tech, venture-backed start-up. Our internship will run over the summer recess, mid-June to mid-September and be held on-site at our Head Office in Oxfordshire. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to learn, contribute, and develop your skills in a dynamic environment where innovation thrives. 

Who We’re Looking For 

Ideal candidates will be: 

• Entering their final year of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or 

• Recently graduated in 2026. 

We welcome students from all disciplines who are curious, motivated, and eager to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting. While we have a strong focus on science and engineering - particularly in areas such as computer vision, optics, and software engineering, we know that building a successful company takes a wide range of skills. 

You might be: 

• A scientist or engineer looking to apply your technical knowledge to real-world challenges. 

• Drawn to business administration and operations, helping us improve processes and efficiency. 

• Passionate about marketing and communications, ready to support campaigns and branding. 

• Skilled in design, finance, project management, or customer engagement, and want to see how your expertise fits into a growing start-up. 

If you’re curious, proactive, and excited to learn, we’d love to hear from you. 

What You’ll Gain 

• Hands-on experience in a deep-tech start-up environment. 

• Exposure to real projects and business activities with meaningful responsibilities. 

• Mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals. 

• The chance to complete a project that can enhance your academic portfolio or future employment prospects. 

Location and Commitments 

To fully participate and gain exposure to our people, technology, and facilities, interns will work on-site at our Oxfordshire HQ (Milton Park, Abingdon). We provide a travel and accommodation allowance to enable participants to stay locally. 

• Duration: Mid-June to mid-September 2026 

• Flexibility: Ideally, interns will join for the full period, but we can be flexible. 

Eligibility

Interns must be:

• Current students or have graduated in 2026 
• Studying/have studied at a UK University
• Hold a valid UK right to work for the duration of the internship
• Willing to undertake a full-time, in-office, role for the duration of the programme

Salary and Benefits 

We believe in rewarding talent and enthusiasm: 

• £27,000 pro rata 

• 20 days paid leave pro rata 

• Financial support for travel and accommodation to enable on-site working 

• Access to our fully stocked kitchen, including complimentary lunches, drinks, and snacks 

Selection Process 

Applicants are invited to submit: 

• CV

• A brief explanation of why you would like to participate, what you can offer, and what you hope to achieve. 

Our selection process then includes: 

1. Initial screening call – a short conversation to learn more about you and answer your questions.. 

1. Video interview – a 45-minute call with members of our team to develop our understanding of your technical abilities and suitability for our programme. 

1. On-site visit – shortlisted candidates will be invited to spend an afternoon with us at Milton Park (around the Easter holidays). This is a chance for us to meet you and for you to experience our environment first-hand. 

Next Steps 

If you’re ready to take on a challenge and gain invaluable experience in a cutting-edge technology company, we’d love to hear from you!