| Message from the Research Staff Office |
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Hello Everyone,
The new term has started in ernest and it was excellent to have a 'sell out' first event with the promotions workshop on 21st September. We are trying to organise a follow up event later in the term for those that missed out. In the meantime please take a look at the tips for successful promotion applications if you are aiming to apply this academic year or in the future. The promotion round will open in November and we will bring you more details then.
This month we are looking for your feedback relating to research staff appraisal/review, see the article below for more information. We need feedback from as many of you as possible via our short 5 minute survey; please participate before 18th October and be in with a chance of winning a £10 Amazon voucher - you don't need to have had an appraisal this year to participate, the survey is open to all members of Sussex research staff.
We're looking forward to seeing many of you at our two networking events this month, the Researcher Forum, where we will be hearing about Higher Education Teaching qualifications at Sussex; and the Researcher Development Coffee morning, where you can drop in for coffee and cake and meet the teams from across the University that can support you in your research and professional development. We hope to see you there.
Best wishes,
Natalie James (Research Staff Officer) and Kirsty Bridger (Researcher Development Coordinator)
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| Researcher Forum (Teaching in Higher Education) |
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Thursday 13th October, 12.00-13.30 - Book a place
The termly Researcher Forum, hosted by the Research Staff Office, is a chance for all research staff to:
- Meet and network with other research staff from across the University.
- Have your say on issues affecting you as a researcher at Sussex and give your ideas and suggestions on how we can improve your experience.
- Get information on a range of topics relevant to you as a University of Sussex researcher.
At this term's event the course conveners of Starting To Teach and PGCertHE qualifications will speak about opportunities for researchers to undertake these qualifications. There will also be a chance for questions around these qualifications and the wider topic of teaching in higher education.
A sandwich lunch will be provided.
Research staff will receive an invitation for this event. If you have not received an invitation, but would like to attend please email researchstaffoffice@sussex.ac.uk.
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| News |
| Provide feedback on researcher appraisal to win a £10 Amazon voucher |
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Calling all researchers: Be in with a chance of winning a £10 Amazon voucher by completing our short 3-5 minute survey relating to research staff appraisal that is open until midnight on Tuesday 18th October.
All research fellows are invited to participate in the survey, regardless of how long you have been employed at Sussex or whether or not you have had an appraisal recently. We need to hear from as many of you as possible.
The survey aims to gather information on the following topics:
- Gauge uptake and participation in research staff appraisal/review across the University
- (For staff that have participated in appraisal) - Evaluate the usefulness of the new research staff appraisal forms and supporting documentation introduced in 2015.
- (For staff that have started at Sussex recently) - Gauge uptake of start of contract career development discussions.
Take the short 3-5 minute appraisal survey here. (All responses will remain anonymous)
Five £10 Amazon vouchers to be won. Prize draw will take place on Wednesday 19th October, winners will be notified by email and will be announced in the next issue of the Sussex Researcher.
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| International Researcher Lunch |
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International Researcher Lunch, Wednesday 23rd November, 12.00 – 14.00, Meeting House
On Wednesday 23rd November the Researcher Development Programme and Research Staff Office are hosting a networking lunch for International Doctoral Students and Postdoctoral Researchers.
We will be joined by colleagues from across the University that provide support for international researchers.
Book your place to join us for a free buffet lunch and:
- Meet other international researchers from across the University
- Find out about the University support for international researchers
More information and booking
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| Mentoring Circle for Women in STEMM 2016/17 |
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The Research Staff Office is pleased to be coordinating another Women in STEMM Mentoring Circle for 2016/17.
The mentoring circle is a regular group mentoring session where a small group of 8-10 participants meet to discuss professional experiences and challenges in a supportive peer group as well as with more experienced colleagues (mentors). The mentoring circle is open to all female postdoctoral researchers from the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine (STEMM) disciplines.
This year researchers can book onto mentoring meetings on a session-by-session basis, which we hope means that even more of you will have the opportunity to benefit from the mentoring circle experience. There will be a monthly meeting with a particular topic focus each month with different academic guest mentors. A provisional schedule of discussion topics is provided below and bookings for the autumn meetings will open soon.
If you are interested in finding out more about this year's scheme please join us at the Mentoring Circle Kick-Off lunch on Friday 14th October, 13.00 - 14.30, where you will have the opportunity to meet this year's mentors and find out more over a free buffet lunch.
2016/17 Mentoring Circle Meeting Schedule
- October - Career Planning
Book now
- November - Promotion and Progression
Book now
- January - Securing Research Funding
- February - Leadership and Leading Teams
- March - Networking and Building your Profile
- April - Working Internationally
- May - Balancing Work and Family
- June - CVs and applications
- July - Managing Working Relationships
Register here for the Mentoring Circle 'Kick-Off' lunch to meet the mentors and find out more.
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| What Research Staff Do Next? |
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Vitae, the organisation which champions the personal, professional and career development of researchers in the UK, has published a new report 'What do research staff do next?'.
The report explores for the first time the career paths of research staff (postdoctoral researcher, research fellow, etc.) who left research posts in European universities or research institutes to work in other occupations and employment sectors.
Key findings included:
- Former research staff are employed in a wide range of occupations, many still supporting the research system through funders, policymakers, institutional research offices, public engagement, knowledge exchange and publishing.
- Around three-quarters leave academia looking for better long-term employment prospects, better job security and not having to work on fixed term contracts. Women are significantly more likely to be looking for better work-life balance than men.
- 78% of respondents aspired to an academic career when they were research staff: only 18% would go back.
- Job satisfaction is high: over four-fifths are satisfied with their current job.
Read the full report
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| New Wellbeing Resources for Researchers |
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The Research Staff Office has created a new web page 'Wellbeing Support for Research Staff' which details the support available across the University.
The page also contains links to helpful resources such as:
- Wellbeing information from Vitae including 'Enthusiasm and Perserverance as a Researcher' and 'Self Confidence for Researchers'.
- Apps, podcasts and online tools to support your wellbeing.
- Links to sources of support and advice within the local area.
In the spring the Research Staff Office will be hosting some wellbeing related events and workshops. Further information will be provided in future issues of the Sussex Researcher.
Visit the wellbeing webpage.
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| Sign up for ORCiD via Sussex Direct |
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 Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCiD) is an international standard to help researchers to establish and maintain their scholarly identity. It aims to solve common issues such as:
- not getting credit for your research because your name is common or because you have published using a different version of your name
- struggling to find a central place to keep track of all your research outputs
- having to spend time entering the same information multiple times in publisher and grant submission systems
It seems likely that all researchers will need to be registered for ORCHiD in order to have research outputs entered into the next Research Excellence Framework (REF).
Sussex researchers can now register for ORCHiD via Sussex Direct.
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| Opportunities |
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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.
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| NERC/Royal Society of Edinburgh Enterprise Fellowships |
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 NERC is supporting up to five new Enterprise Fellowships to boost the development of new businesses from investments in environmental research.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) Enterprise Fellowship scheme provides support to researchers and innovators who have promising business ideas. The programme, delivered by the RSE with support from BBSRC, NERC, STFC and Scottish Enterprise, allows fellows to focus solely on developing their business idea.
They receive one year's salary, expert business training, business development funding and access to mentors from a pool of successful individuals in the commercial community.
More information
Application deadline: 9th November 2016
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| BBSRC Partnering Awards |
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 These aim to set up partnership links between the UK and international laboratories, promote the exchange of scientists, particularly those in the early stages of their career, and promote access to facilities.
More information
Application deadline: 17th November 2016
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| Skills Development Fellowship |
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 Skills Development Fellowships are training fellowships which enable early-career researchers to develop new skills in a priority area as well as researchers at all career stages willing to transform their career. Fellowships cover costs of salary, training, consumables, travel and capital equipment appropriate for the research project for the period of three years.
More information
Application deadline: 14 June 2017
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You have the chance to preview an online tool developed by EURAXESS network members.