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!