Early Career Research Networking Event
Thursday 12th July 2018, 3-5pm, Marquee, Chancellor’s Court, (Between R1 and R6 on Campus Map).
A special opportunity for postdoctoral and early career research staff from across all the Colleges of the University to network and socialise over food and drinks in the striking surroundings of the University’s historic Chancellor’s Court. We invite you to join us to enjoy a summer afternoon meeting counterparts from different disciplines in a relaxed and welcoming environment.
Food and drinks provided.
Open to all postdocs and ECRs across the University. For numbers, please email Jennifer Thomson to register your interest.
PERCAT Careers Seminar: Contracts and Promotions
Thursday 19th July, 11.30am, Murray Learning Centre UG09, (R28 on Campus Map).
Lunch provided.
The short-term contracts which are a key feature of the early stages of a research career mean that it is important that postdocs and early career research staff have an awareness of the issues around contracts and promotions which will affect them. Representatives from HR and senior academic staff from within the Colleges of EPS and LES will be joining us to provide an introduction for postdocs and early career researchers to contracts and promotions, from what to be aware of at the outset of a contract to what happens at the end of employment. This will be followed by a Q&A session.
Registration is now closed.
Postdoctoral Researcher Conference (EPS & LES)
Wednesday 20th June 2018, 9.30am-4.30pm, Nicolson Building, (G11 on Campus Map).
The PERCAT Postdoctoral Researcher Conference (EPS & LES) took place on Wednesday 20th June 2018. The conference provided postdoctoral and early career research staff in the Colleges of EPS and LES with the opportunity to share their work through oral presentations and posters and to access talks and support on career development and the postdoc journey. A review of the conference can be accessed here.
The conference brochure, contains details of the programme, speakers and abstracts for talks and posters.
PERCAT Careers Seminar: Careers outside Academia
Tuesday 1st May 2018, 2-4.30pm, Metallurgy & Materials Building, Room GC13 (G6 on Campus Map C block, ground floor)
Open to all postdocs and early career researchers in the Colleges of EPS and LES, this seminar provided guest panel talks and a Q&A session giving attendees the opportunity to:
- Find out about some of the career options open to postdocs.
- Learn about how the skills and experience gained during a postdoc positon can help you move into a career beyond academia.
- Make useful contacts for the future
The guest panel:
- Trevor Sidery, PhD Mathematics and former postdoc in the School of Physics & Astronomy, now Senior Data Scientist at Tesco PLC.
- Jennifer Morris-Cottell, PhD Microbiology and former postdoc in the University of Guelph, Canada, now Clinical Scientist at Micropathology Ltd.
- Sandra Starke, PhD Biomechanics and Visual Perception, former postdoc in the School of EESE, now Chief Scientific Officer at GiveVision.
- Phil Blaen, PhD Hydrology, former postdoc in the School of GEES, now Project Manager at Yorkshire Water. To view Dr Phil Blaen's slide presentation from this event please click here.
-
Ole Kock, PhD Physics, former postdoc in Physics and Astronomy, now Technical Authority for Quantom Sensors at Teledyne E2V. To view Dr Ole Kock's slide presentation from this event please click here.
PERCAT Careers Seminar: The REF – What does it mean for Postdocs?
Thursday 19th April 2018, 11.30am-1.30pm, Mechanical Engineering Building G36 (Y3 on Campus Map)
Lunch provided.
An opportunity for postdocs and early career researchers in the Colleges of EPS and LES to learn more about the REF, the rules governing it, the forthcoming changes to it and what the REF means for postdocs.
Ronni Littlewood, Research Planning Partner for LES, and Gavin McNee, Research Planning Partner for EPS, will be speaking to us on the REF and its implications for postdocs, followed by a Q&A session and lunch, with opportunities to talk informally to Ronni and Gavin over lunch, or to book a 1:1 session with either of them.
Registration now closed.
PERCAT Workshop: CV Writing and Interview Skills
Thursday 1st March 2018, 9.30am-4.30pm, Nicolson Building, (G11 on Campus Map).
A joint workshop with MDS PERCAT, delivered by Paul Compton, People and Organisational Development Facilitator.
The focus on this one day workshop is on practice, discussion and personal reflection, including:
- Developing the structure and format of a CV
- Identifying your key achievements
- Communicating key skills and attributes
- Using the job description and person specification to prepare for the interview
- Creating specific responses to behavioural questions
- Understanding the impact of verbal and non-verbal communication.
You will be able to apply your learning to better develop your CV so that it highlights your key skills, attributes and achievements. You will also be able to identify the ways in which you can prepare for interview by considering your body language, motivation and response to questions. There will be Hands on practical help to ensure you project yourself at your best both in writing and in person in a recruitment situation. This course also involves group role-play, allowing you a great opportunity to practice and hone your interview skills.
Lunch and refreshments provided.
Places are limited, for catering purposes please register before 15th February 2018. Registration details.
PERCAT Workshop: Fellowship and Grant Writing
Thursday 15th February 2018, 12-4pm, Metallurgy & Materials, Room 2C28 (G6 on Campus Map)
Due to the high level of demand for this workshop we have now added an additional date.
This workshop is aimed at giving a very broad overview of the UK research funding landscape, including an introduction to key funding bodies, the types of grants available and the intellectual and administrative stages involved in preparing a grant application. It will be of interest to postdoctoral and early career researchers who have not yet prepared an application for independent funding.
Lunch and refreshments provided.
To register for this workshop email: Jennifer Thomson. Deadline for registration is the 5th February 2018. Places are limited so registration is essential.
PERCAT Workshop – How to Shine in Fellowship and Grant Interviews
Tuesday 27th February 2018, 9.30am-4.30pm, GEES Room 125, (R26 on Campus Map).
This highly practical course will help you develop a clear, authoritative and authentic interview style that allows the strength of your ideas to shine through. By the end of this session you’ll be better able to:
- Present yourself, your work and your ideas in a compelling way
- Maintain your composure
- Engage the panel and win their trust
- Handle interview questions
Lunch and refreshments provided.
Who can apply
The workshop is for postdoctoral and early career researchers who will benefit from the training and who:
- Have been shortlisted for interview by a funding body
- Have submitted a grant application that has an interview as part of the selection process
or
- Intend to submit an application in the next twelve months
To apply for the workshop email Jennifer Thomsonwith details of the funding scheme, proposed submission deadline and how far you have progressed with your application. Applications will be prioritized. Deadline for applications is Monday 12th February 2018.
PERCAT Workshop: Fellowship and Grant Writing
Tuesday 30th January 2018, 12-4pm – Chemical Engineering G03 (Y11 on Campus Map)
This workshop is aimed at giving a very broad overview of the UK research funding landscape, including an introduction to key funding bodies, the types of grants available and the intellectual and administrative stages involved in preparing a grant application. It will be of interest to postdoctoral and early career researchers who have not yet prepared an application for independent funding.
Lunch and refreshments provided.
To register for this workshop email: Jennifer Thomson.
Deadline for registration is the 16th January 2018.
Places are limited so registration is essential.
Pies and Post-Docs
Monday 18 December 2017, 2-4pm
Venue – Biosciences Undercroft (R27 on campus map)
A talk on the Concordat on Early Career Researchers from Vince O’Grady of POD, with mince pies and drinks.
Meet your PERCAT Post-Doc Reps and College Research Support Teams and find out more about PERCAT
Open to all Post-Docs and Early Career Researchers within LES and EPS. To register for this event email: Jennifer Thomson.