postgraduates who teach workshop cardiff university 2008 getting a job as a researcher or lecturer...
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Postgraduates who Teach WorkshopCardiff University 2008
Getting a Job as a Researcher or Lecturer in Psychology/Social Science
Nicola WestonUPSI, Cardiff University
Overview
Academic Institution structures Where do you start? Academic Jobs – what are your options?
What jobs are available? What do you need to think about? When to think about it
The application process: Writing a CV Practical: Peer review session
The Interview
Career Pathways: An Example
Where do you start?
Finding Vacancies
Websites www.jobs.ac.uk The Guardian The Times Education supplement HE institution websites
Academics Ask around!
Deadlines Jobs can be advertised up to 6 months in advance
Academic Jobs - What are your options?
Types of Jobs
Research Positions: Advertised Posts
Fellowships
Grants
Lectureships
Teaching Positions
Types of Jobs
Research Positions: Advertised Posts
Advertised Posts
Research Positions Start thinking about this EARLY! What type of research do you want to undertake? Work experience Think about building your CV – institution objectives
Publications Teaching Experience Conferences (Oral presentation preferred)
Many jobs are fixed term due to external funding for limited time
Research Centres
Career Pathways: An Example
Advertised Posts
Research Progression Progression will depend upon a number of factors:
Publications Conferences (Oral presentation preferred) Ability to obtain research funding HE Experience
Moving to another pathway You will need to build up the skills and experience relevant
to that position
Types of Jobs
Research Positions: Advertised Posts
Fellowships
Fellowships
Your ‘own’ Grant May/may not be option now but start thinking about this
at least 1 year in advance Not many options at an early stage career level
Two post-PhD options: ESRC Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PhD submitted) ESRC small grant scheme (PhD required)
Principal Investigator (important for career progression)
Types of Jobs
Research Positions: Advertised Posts
Fellowships
Grants
Grant Applications
Applications (inc salary) Research Councils / Charity based organisations Check deadlines – process takes about 6-8 months Some grants require at least 3 years post-doc experience
for PI application Co-applicant / named researcher - options post-PhD:
ESRC small grants scheme BBSRC
Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator (important for career progression)
Types of Jobs
Research Positions: Advertised Posts
Fellowships
Grants
Lectureships
Lectureships
Lecturer Positions More opportunity if establish research portfolio Which university? What do you want to teach? Essentials:
Research portfolio: Publications Conferences Teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate
level is important Experience of applying for research funding
Management / Mentoring Some positions are fixed term, some permanent
Career Pathways: An Example
Types of Jobs
Research Positions: Advertised Posts
Fellowships
Grants
Lectureships
Teaching Positions
Teaching
Teaching Positions Not as frequently advertised Many are part time Both fixed term and permanent Availability depends upon the institution Often linked to studentships
Some things to think about now….
The next step….
Options – research/teaching experience is the key at an early stage. Try and be involved in a number of projects so that you get a wealth of experience (you never know when it may be useful)
Try and get involved with projects that have the potential for publication
Think about inter-disciplinary research (research council objectives)
Networking – academia is a small world! Attend conferences and seminars
Non-Academic Jobs
Various Options Teaching in further education Research Council positions Research Analyst (commercial/charity) Governmental
Office for National Statistics (ONS)
Applying Academic Skills
Transferable Skills ExperienceWritten skills Thesis, Articles, Publications
Communication skills Conferences, Seminars, Teaching, Demonstrating
Team work Member of research group, External team experience, work experience
Project Management MSc / PhD
People Management Teaching
Problem Solving Successful resolution of a problem within your research field
Administration Organisation of modules / seminars
Time management Completing studies on time, meeting deadlines
Making an application for an academic position
Preparing the Application
The Job Vacancy Description Read and re-read Highlight the essential criteria Explore the research area (contacts in the field?) Do some background research on the institution /
research group
CV or Application form? Detailed job descriptions of skills and requirements Essential / desirable criteria Use every section of the application form
Preparing the Application
Cover Letter Important as it’s the first thing they will read Tailor your cover letter to the position State the post you are applying for (universities often have
many posts advertised concurrently) Include a list of all the documents you are enclosing Use the letter to highlight the key elements of your
interest and suitability for the post Referee contact details (if requested)
Academic CV
Writing a CV Longer than a non-academic CV
Personal details Research interests and experience Education (reverse chronological order) Employment history Research funding Teaching Experience Training and Development Skills List of Publications/Conferences
Hobbies and interests (if appropriate)
Practical: Writing a CV
Practical – 15 minutes Read through the two job vacancy adverts and choose which
job you would like to apply for based on your current experience
Get into pairs - Hand your CV/Job advert to your partner
Provide feedback based on structure and content of your colleagues CV based on the requirements of the post Strengths / areas for improvement
Note: You will not be able to provide feedback on the specific area of research
Congratulations you have passed the application stage!
The Interview
The Interview – One to One
Your ability to shine! Be prepared
Read your application prior to the interview They have read your application but will be looking for you
to explain/provide examples around what you have written Do your homework on the organisation Ask questions (Have about 5 prepared)
From their perspective: Do you have the right skills? Will you fit well in the current team? Can you answer their questions?
From your perspective: Do you want to work in this company/organisation? Do you want to work for these people?
The Interview – One to One
The Structure The ‘Why’ question Research expertise
Links with other departments International links
Teaching experience Administration Strengths and weaknesses
Experience
Undergraduate Degree Research Assistant Position Masters PhD Teaching Undergraduates Research Associate / Fellow Outside academia
The Interview – The Presentation
Lecturer / Teaching positions
Lecturer Positions You will be asked to give a presentation on your
research interests and future plans
Teaching Positions You will be asked to give a presentation demonstrating
how you would approach a teaching session
Good Luck!