| Message from the Research Staff Office |
|
Hello Everyone
Welcome to the final issue of the Sussex Researcher for 2016. I think it's fair to say 2016 has been a rollercoaster of a year! It was great to catch up with many of you at November's International Researcher Lunch. It was an excellent opportunity for researchers to come together and celebrate the international diversity of our researcher community - we plan to make it an annual event.
We are pleased to launch our spring programme of events and workshops that will be starting in January, all events are now open for booking. Spaces are limited so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment. Watch out for our Researcher Wellbeing Coffee Morning in February, which will be a great way to keep the Winter blues away. You'll all receive an invitation in the New Year.
Wishing you all a restful festive break and a Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you in 2017.
Best wishes,
Natalie James (Research Staff Officer) and Kirsty Bridger (Researcher Development Coordinator)
|
| Researcher Forum and Lunch |
|
Thursday 26th January, 12.00-13.30
The termly Researcher Forum and lunch, hosted by the Research Staff Office, is a chance for all Sussex researchers to:
- Meet and network with other research staff from across the University.
- Get information on a range of topics relevant to you as a University of Sussex researcher.
- This term's event, along with open discussion and networking will include a guest speaker, Dr Tom Frost.
 Dr Tom Frost, Lecturer in Legal Theory at the University of Sussex and representative of UCU, will speak about the information, services and benefits that the Union can provide for Research Fellows.
A sandwich lunch will be provided.
Research staff will receive an invitation for this event.
|
| Spotlight on...Dr Mari Martiskainen |
|
 Research Fellow at the Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand
It was never my initial plan to become an academic but for as long as I remember I was interested in environmental issues and renewable energy.
My research has focused on building energy efficiency, especially on the role of intermediary organisations in supporting zero carbon new homes.
We have six case studies in the Brighton area. People are happy to spend money on a new car, bathroom or kitchen, but not really on energy efficiency, it's not seen as exciting.
Read Mari's Spotlight profile here.
|
| News |
| Spring 2017 Training & Development Workshops - Now open for booking |
|
We are very pleased to launch the spring programme of development events for Sussex researchers.
 The programme includes workshops covering the themes of:
- Developing an Effective Impact Statement
- Enhancing Professional Effectiveness
- Manage Stress, Challenge 'Imposter' Feelings and Build Your Resilience
- Data Management
- Getting Research Funded
- Introduction to the UK Higher Education Research Environment
- And more!
All events are free to attend and are now open for booking. Places are limited so we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
See the research staff training and development page for the full programme, workshop outlines and booking information.
|
| 2016/17 Research Fellow Promotions |
|
The 2016/17 academic promotions round is now open for applications. The deadline for applications to reach your Head of School is Friday 13th January 2017.
Key points to note:
- All Research Fellows employed on contracts of Grade 7 or above are eligible to apply for promotion through the promotions process. *You don't need to be on an open/indefinite contract, Fixed-Term employees are eligible to apply.*
- Assessment of an individual's suitability for promotion is based on how well the applicant meets the criteria for promotion, as evidenced by the submitted documentation. Availability of funding for additional salary costs is not a factor in the promotion board's consideration of applications. For researchers employed on external funding; if a promotion application is successful and there are no funds available on the grant to cover the salary uplift, the additional cost will be met by the School.
The promotions process is managed by HR. Full information about the promotions process for researchers can be found on the HR website here.
Following the Pro-Vice-Chancellor's recent promotions workshops, we have produced a summary of the key points from the workshop in some 'tips for promotion applications'.
Best of luck if you are planning to apply for promotion this year.
|
| House of Commons Select Committee Report on Leaving the EU Published |
|
 The House of Commons Science and Technology Committee has today published its report on the implications of Brexit for Science and Research
Read the full report here.
The main recommendations are as follows:
- That the Government should develop a comprehensive strategy to communicate messages of ongoing support for the science and research community in the context of its Brexit plans;
-
That Government should be mindful of the need to clarify future immigration rules so that the UK continues to attract top-quality researchers;
-
That an immediate commitment should be made to EU researchers currently working in the UK, to exempt them from any potential outfall arising from Brexit negotiations;
-
That the interim Chair of UKRI should be formally appointed to act as a 'bridge' between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for Exiting the European Union (DexEU);
-
That DexEU should appoint a Chief Scientific Advisor as a matter of priority.
|
| Vitae Focus On - Career Planning |
|
 Vitae's latest 'Focus On' campaign centres on Career Planning. This theme is designed to support researchers' thinking about their career options. It provides resources and activities to help researchers understand themselves and be focused and efficient in their approach to professional development and career planning.
From October to January Vitae have:
|
| Nature Special Edition: Young Scientists |
|
 "Early-career researchers need fewer burdens and more support"
The journal Nature has posted a special issue with the focus on early career researchers (ECRs).
The special issue published on 26th October explores the challenges facing early and mid-career researchers and how to solve them. The issue contains profiles of individual researchers and those advocating change for the support systems for early career researchers, along with data demonstrating the challenges of the academic environment for ECRs internationally.
The special issue does not make easy reading, but demonstrates that the global research environment is tougher than ever for early-career researchers, making it ever more important for employers to support their ECRs in the critical phase of their career.
Read the Young Scientists Nature Special here.
|
| Six lessons for first-class impact |
|
Impact is not about changing the world in a single project, says Julie Bayley, winner of the ARMA 2015 Research Impact Award.
She instead sets out 6 steps to think about impact:
- How to connect to a (the) bigger problem?
- How to connect with the real world?
- Lose your inner diva: or how do your activities connect with your impact goals?
- Connecting with people who'll challenge you.
- Connecting the change to the measure.
- Connecting your aims with those of the funders.
Read the article here .
|
| Postdoctoral Researcher Surveys |
|
There are a number of external surveys running at the moment for postdoctoral researchers:
Vitae Careers Survey
Vitae invites early careers researchers from across the Arts and Humanities to respond to a new online survey investigating their experience of professional development. Respondents who complete this 10-minute survey before 11 December 2016 will be eligible to enter a free prize draw to win a £50 Amazon voucher.
Complete the survey here.
Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, and/or Parental Leave Survey
The UK Research Staff Association (UKRSA), in association with Vitae, is also conducting a study investigating the experiences of researchers taking maternity, paternity, adoption, and/or parental leave.
Complete the survey here.
Jobs.ac.uk Career Pathways Following Doctoral Research Survey
Jobs.ac.uk would like to understand the variety of careers that currently exist and come up with new ways to better support job seeking and career options. The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete.
Complete the survey here.
|
| 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.
|
| Cancer Research - Research Travel Award |
|
 Research Travel Awards offer you a chance to develop your own independent researcher career; introduce new techniques or skills to your current research group; and promote future collaborations between institutions.
Funding can also be provided for researchers who wish to attend a skills-based training course.
More information
Application deadline: 5th January 2017
|
| Society in Science - The Branco Weiss Fellowship |
|
 The Branco Weiss Fellowship from the Society in Science is run by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich. The Fellowship provides a platform for exceptionally qualified researchers, demonstrating a willingness to engage in a dialogue on relevant social, cultural, political or economic issues across the frontiers of their particular discipline.
Ideally, fellows pursue unconventional projects in new areas of science, engineering and social sciences.
More information
Application deadline: 15th January 2017
|
| International Placement Scheme |
|
 The Arts and Humanities Research Council, with the Economic and Social Research Council, invites applications for its international placement scheme. This provides funded research fellowships for doctoral-level research assistants and early-career researchers at leading international research institutions.
Fellows will have dedicated access to the internationally renowned collections, programmes and expertise held at the seven institutions, have the opportunity to enhance the depth, range and quality of their research and have the chance to network with other international scholars.
More information
Application deadline: 19th January 2017
|
| Cancer Research - Career Development Fellowship |
|
The Career Development Fellowship offers outstanding scientists 6 years of support to set up their first independent cancer research group.
Funding support is provided for salaries and associated running expenses for the Fellow, one postdoctoral researcher, and one technician, plus equipment up to £25,000. An annual salary enhancement of £6,500 is paid each year of the funding period.
More information
Application deadline: 6th February 2017
|
| Research Fellowships in Science or Engineering |
|
 The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 invites applications for its research fellowships in science or engineering. These give early-career scientists or engineers of exceptional promise the opportunity to conduct an innovative research project of their own instigation.
Research may be carried out in any of the physical or biological sciences, mathematics, applied science or any branch of engineering. Applications from candidates proposing projects in applied science and engineering are particularly encouraged.
More information
Application deadline: 16th February 2017
|
|
