Our Department's Early Career Representatives are:
Emilie Hobbs (emilie.hobbs@york.ac.uk, emilie.hobbs@sei.org)
Michael Cooper (michael.cooper@york.ac.uk)
Our Early Career Researcher Group meets regularly The Early Career Researcher (ECR) representatives are:
Lluis Puig Gonzalez (lluis.puiggonzalez@york.ac.uk; E&G)
Joe Simpson(joe.simpson@york.ac.uk; SEI)
Our Early Career Researchers (ECR) Group meets to discuss relevant issues, share information, and to chat and get together to build a strong early career community of researchers. As a member of our Early Career Researchers ECR Group, you will receive emails via their our Google Group [member sign-in required].
Departmental Concordat Action Plan <this needs to be updated!>
The Concordat provides a statement of the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. It is a national document with many signatories including Universities UK, HEFCE and the Research Councils UK. The Concordat consists of a set of seven principles set around six areas which, as a University, we seek to align our practice in supporting the development of research staff. The Concordat can be viewed at: Concordat 2014-2018.
An action plan was developed in the Environment Department in June 2014. This document provides a brief outline of the key outstanding actions and latest updates. The full University of York action plan can be found here: University of York - Concordat action plan 2014-2018.
Professional/career development resources
The University of York has a Research Excellence Training Team which aims to offer all researchers the support and development opportunities to excel in their chosen fields and careers. This includes a number of training courses. They also send out regular newsletters to researchers.
Vitae is an organisation that provides supporting the professional development of researchers. Vitae provides support and resources for your professional development and has four aims:
- Influence the development and implementation of effective policy relating to researcher development
- Enhance higher education provision to train and develop researchers
- Empower researchers to make an impact in their careers
- Evidence the impact of professional and career development support for researchers
The Vitae Researcher Development Framework is for you if you are doing a doctorate, are a member of research staff, pursuing an academic career or thinking about applying the skills developed during your PhD in another career. The Framework can help you to plan your development to ensure that you are covering the range of skills needed for your future career.
Checklist for Principal Investigators (PIs) supervising Postdoctoral Research Associates (PDRAs)
- This checklist is intended to help PIs to cover necessary areas relating to the management of PDRAs
- PDRAs will also undertake broad Induction with the Department Manager when they first join the Department
- Items listed below, which are covered by the Departmental Manager, are for your information and are included here in case you also wanted to discuss any practical aspects surrounding these points
...
Start - first meeting(s)
...
For example, could:
outline sources of training and discuss training plan
outline how and when career and training requirements, monitoring and evaluation could be discussed (e.g. meetings at intervals through the year?)
Discuss with researchers how they record their personal development planning and continuing professional development activities
Useful Resources:
https://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers-professional-development
Training Needs Analysis:
...
Explain and start probation procedures
(if appropriate)
...
https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/policies/new-starters/research-teaching-probation-procedure/
Probation period for research staff (Grades 6 – 8) is typically 1 year
Review Forms available on HR website
Forms should be held both by PI and PDRA
...
For example, should:
give overview of Research Group (e.g. when are the meetings?)
contact Research Group leader to introduce and ensure that they are added to the group mailing list
...
More information can be found in the 'For Established Academic, Research (including post-docs), Teaching and Scholarship Staff' link, at:
...
Instructions: tinyurl.com/PUREtips
An example profile can be found at: https://pure.york.ac.uk/portal/en/researchers/alistair-bruce-alleyne-boxall(d4f7f3ca-29a9-4388-be95-7a67e0d49b49).html
...
Discuss how joint papers will be handled. Further info. at:
https://www.york.ac.uk/library/info-for/researchers/open-access/ref/
...
Discuss project specific procedures. Further info. at:
https://www.york.ac.uk/library/info-for/researchers/data/
...
As outlined in University procedures:
https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/policies/new-starters/research-teaching-probation-procedure/
Forms should be held both by PI and PDRA
...
Throughout contract
...
PDRA moves to PDR process once induction is complete:
https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/browse/performance-management
...
For example, could:
outline sources of training and discuss training plan
outline how and when career and training requirements, monitoring and evaluation could be discussed (e.g. meetings at intervals through the year?)
- discuss with researchers how they record their personal development planning and continuing professional development activities
Useful Resources:
The University's Research Excellence Training Team (RETT) send a monthly newsletter to PDRAs letting them know about news and opportunities. More information on RETT, and training and development opportunities can be found at:
Vitae is a global leader in supporting the professional development of researchers, experienced in working with institutions as they strive for research excellence, innovation and impact:
https://www.vitae.ac.uk/researchers-professional-development
Training Needs Analysis:
Other resources in the Department:
Industry Liaison Officer - can discuss opportunities in industry, can assist with CV writing etc.
Research Support Team - can discuss future research plans, fellowship options etc.
...
If the PDRA is leaving the University, from 3 months prior to end of contract:
Hold an initial informal discussion to explain the process and provide the individual with the employee information sheet (https://www.york.ac.uk/admin/hr/contracts-and-appointments/fixed-term-contracts/consultation/)
Progress through consultation steps unless the individual indicates that they don't wish to participate in the consultation process (and completes the relevant form).
PI
...
Please contact your ECR representative if you would like to be added to the Google Group and mailing list.
The University offers a plethora of training and development opportunities for ECRs. Details of which can be found in the ECR training infographic. Your ECR representative can provide additional information and guidance on these opportunities.