Postgraduates who Teach Workshop Cardiff University 2008 Getting a Job as a Researcher or Lecturer in Psychology/Social Science Nicola Weston UPSI, 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 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 SkillsExperience Written skillsThesis, Articles, Publications Communication skillsConferences, Seminars, Teaching, Demonstrating Team workMember of research group, External team experience, work experience Project ManagementMSc / PhD People ManagementTeaching Problem SolvingSuccessful resolution of a problem within your research field AdministrationOrganisation of modules / seminars Time managementCompleting 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!