| Message from the Research Staff Office |
|
Hello everyone,
Welcome to the October issue of the Sussex Researcher. This month it has been great to see a number of you at the first training and development events of the year and to meet those of you that are new to Sussex at the researcher welcome lunch. We are looking forward to this term's Research Staff Forum on Wednesday 28th October where we will learn about the plans for the new PostDoc-Network at Sussex which is being led by researchers for researchers, teaching fellows and post-doctoral tutors. This will be an excellent development for the researcher community and I hope to see many of you there to find out more.
I urge any of you that have ideas for ways to enhance your own and fellow researchers' professional development to consider making an application to the Researcher Led Initiative Fund which is currently open (see news item below). In previous rounds of this initiative there have not been many applications from research staff, so please take a look at the fund details and make the most of this opportunity.
Best wishes,
Natalie James (Research Staff Officer, Research and Enterprise)
|
| Enhancing Professional Effectiveness |
|
Monday 9th November 2015, 09.30 - 16.30 - Book a place
This one day course is aimed at research staff who are in their first or second research contract post PhD or equivalent and aspire to become PIs or project team leaders. Those individuals whose career aspirations do not involve progressing 'up' the research ladder (e.g. stay in their current role, or take their skills outside of the research environment) will also benefit from this training which will highlight that skills are transferable readily to other environments. The course will cover the theme of being more productive and working more effectively with others particularly through inclusion of specific training on:
- Research Management: including time and task prioritisation skills
- Working with others: taking in information and communicating arguments effectively and cultural understanding
- Taking the next steps to enhance your skills a professional effective researcher.
Previous participants said:
- "It was relevant, real and got to the heart of the issues faced day in day out. I came away with clear actions I can practice to make things better"
- "Transformative", "Insightful" and "Thought-provoking"
- "It focussed my mind on different approaches and being open to different ideas"
- "Very positive atmosphere"
BOOK YOUR PLACE HERE NOW
|
| News |
| New online modules for Research Integrity |
|
The University has recently launched online Research Integrity Study Direct modules, available to staff and students
The programme aims to provide practical advice on dealing with the complex issues that can arise while designing, planning, conducting and reporting or publishing research.
There are five modules available for the following broad disciplines: Arts and Humanities; Biomedical Sciences; Engineering; Natural Sciences; Social Sciences. Regardless of your discipline all of the modules are free for you to use and learn from. At the end of each module there is a quiz so you can test yourself on what you've learnt.
Sussex seeks to foster a culture of professional integrity, engaging in research activity that is properly conducted to the highest standard. The University Research Integrity statement is on the University's research standards webpage
|
| Mentoring Circles schemes for researchers |
|
Women in STEMM Mentoring Circles
Following a successful pilot during 2014/15 of the Women in STEMM Mentoring Circles scheme, the scheme is running for a second year during 2015/16. Expressions of interest are invited before Wednesday 4th November from those wishing to be involved in the scheme as a participant (mentee) or as a circle group leader (mentor).
More information about the scheme, eligibility and how to apply is available on the research staff coaching and mentoring page
Early Career Researcher Mentoring Circles
Building on the successful format of the Women in STEMM Mentoring Circles, we are keen to extend this approach to be accessible to researchers from all genders working in all disciplines across the University. Therefore the Research Staff Office is currently developing plans to launch an 'Early Career Researcher' mentoring circles scheme that will be open to researchers from across the University. Watch this space for more information in 2016.
|
| Online modules for those involved in doctoral supervision |
|
If you are involved in doctoral supervision either as a primary or co-supervisor; a new online programme Supervising Doctoral Studies has recently been launched to support you in your supervision responsibilities.
There are a series of nine online modules to support supervisors, both new and experienced. This includes an introduction to the contemporary doctorate which sets out some of the ongoing changes in the doctoral landscape. Supervising Doctoral Studies is not a blueprint, but a starting-point for further reflection and discussion on the supervisory relationship - reflecting on what supervisors do and how they do it.
More information
|
| Researcher Led Initiative Fund - Call for applications |
|
The autumn call for the Researcher-Led Initiative (RLI) fund is now open for applications until Friday 13th November. The fund supports researchers to organise and run activities that will enhance their professional and research skills.
The fund is managed by the Doctoral School, who are keen to sponsor initiatives that expand or build on current provision for researchers, and that benefit groups of researchers across Schools (although applications for initiatives benefiting a broad group of researchers at School level will also be considered).
Types of activity that would be eligible for funding include:
- Career development forum
- Networking event or regular networking forum
- A seminar or conference programme
- Journal club
- A workshop to address a specific development need (not already offered at Sussex).
Please see the Researcher-Led Initiative Fund webpage for further details, to read the guidance notes, and to apply online.
|
| Do you know someone with an interest in researcher development? |
|
The Research Staff Office and Doctoral School are currently recruiting for a Researcher Development Coordinator to support researcher development and Research Staff Office activities.
Applications are invited from highly motivated and organised individuals with excellent communication skills and experience of project planning.
More information is provided in the job advertisement and further particulars; the closing date for applications is Sunday 1st November. If you know of anyone that might be interested in such a role please pass on this information. |
| Opportunities |
|
If applying for funding, remember to check funders' eligibility criteria carefully and discuss the opportunity with your host institution/department prior to preparing any applications.
|
| NIHR Fellowships |
|
The Department of Health's National Institute for Health Research invites applications for its fellowship scheme. These support individuals to become health research leaders by buying out their salary costs, meeting their training and development costs and by contributing to the research costs needed to complete an identified research project. Proposed research projects must be compatible with the NIHR remit.
Five levels of fellowship are available: doctoral research, postdoctoral research, career development, senior research, transitional research fellowships.
Deadline for applications: 20th January 2016 (1pm)
More information
|
| AHRC and ESRC International Placement Scheme |
|
The annual International Placement Scheme (IPS) provides funded research fellowships at world-leading international research institutions for early career researchers, doctoral-level research assistants and AHRC/ESRC-funded doctoral students. From 2016, IPS fellowships are available at:
- Harry Ransom Center, The University of Texas at Austin, USA
- Huntington Library, San Marino, California, USA
- Library of Congress, Washington D.C., USA
- National Institutes for the Humanities, Japan
- Shanghai Theatre Academy, China
- Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C., US
- Yale Center for British Art, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Deadline for applications: 21st January 2016
More information
The AHRC and ESRC are hosting two showcase events on the 2nd and 6th November 2015 to explain more about the opportunities available. To register for these events please visit the International Placement Scheme website
|
| OneStart Bio-Entrepreneurship Programme - Win £100k to realise your healthcare business idea |
|
Applications are now invited to OneStart 2016, the world's largest life sciences and healthcare accelerator programme. Offering young entrepreneurs the chance to win £100k, free lab space and on-going advice from an extensive mentor network drawn from McKinsey and Co., Johnson and Johnson Innovation, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, SR One, Takeda Ventures and more
Applications are invited from anyone under 36 years old interested in healthcare entrepreneurship. Applicants are welcome from all disciplines and ideas at all stages of development - from a simple idea to a startup with ample data. There is no cost to participate and you retain full control and ownership of your business.
Deadline for applications:1st December 2015
More information
|
| CRUK Research Travel Award |
|
Cancer Research UK invites applications for its research travel award. This enables postdoctoral researchers to work with research groups in the UK or overseas and develop their own independent career, introduce new skills or techniques to their current research group, or promote future collaborations between institutions. The award is worth up to £10,000 for a variable period.
Deadline for applications: 19th January 2015
More information
|
|
