UCL/ BBSRC Pilot Placement Programme 2013

1. UCL/ BBSRC Pilot Placement Programme 2013 Dr Calum Leckie, Careers Consultant Rochelle Symons, Employer Services & Events Officer (Research Students)

2. The 2013 Pilot Programme: Background • DLHE – 50% of UK PhDs leave academia • Roberts Skills agenda & Researcher Development Framework • The BBSRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) programme • First intake in 2012 • Focus on strategic research areas (e.g. food security, health bioscience) • Less studentships but more funding per studentship • Requirement for a three month ‘professional internship’* * Aim: ‘in order to widen their experience of the types of careers in which their research training can have an impact’

3. UCL Survey of Senior Academics2010 From your experience, what personal attributes and qualities have you observed in PhD students who went on to have successful postdoctoral and / or academic careers after graduation?

4. Examples • Originality, imagination, clarity of thought, a strong sense of what is an important problem, and a broad view of the field, combined with ambition, determination, focus and a high degree of personal organisation. • Enterprising in devising future research projects • Self motivation, ability to work harder than they originally thought they could, • Critical thought / resistance to routine and conventional wisdom • Readiness to take on responsibilities • Ambition;innovation, enterprise • Intellect, drive to research, energy, communication skills

5. Employers rating PhD student skills Best • Data analysis 100% • Problem solving 88% • Drive and motivation 84% • Interpersonal skills 56% • Project Mgt 36% • Leadership 28% • Commercial Awareness 20% Weakest Recruiting researchers – Survey of employer practice 2009 (Vitae) 5

6. UCL PhD Graduate Destinations Survey - The Transition to Non Academic Work. Challenges 1. Adapting to new working environment * 2. Lack of relevant skills / sector knowledge / experience 3. PhD too specialised 4. Competition for jobs 5. Employer ignorance of PhDs 6. Length of time to secure job *meeting deadlines, business acumen, greater teamwork, more structured day, increased workload / stress, faster pace.

7. The Programme Structure • 3 months over the summer period • Cannot be related to your research area • Preference given to those in 3rd year • Must have permission from supervisor before apply • Personal support from careers consultant regarding choice & the placement process • The BBSRC expect your stipend to cover the placement period

8. Why should you do this? • Provides evidence of motivation on future CV • Enhances essential transferable skills (for academia and beyond) • Gain non-academic workplace experience required by employers • Allows exploration of alternative career options • Helps you identify developmental needs

9. Marta – Placement with DfID 2012

10. Arne – Placement with Oxford PharmaGenesis 2012

11. The Placement • Structured period of work experience • You may be given a specific project or range of activities that are relevant to the organisation • Activities may not necessarily be research related but are likely to use higher level skills • Employers sourced from our PhD employer database and our general employer network • You will be able to suggest areas of interest and / or specific employers • You will have a supervisor within the host company who will provide feedback on your performance • You will keep on-going record of your activities, learning experiences & achievements

12. Placement Matching: issues to consider • We will do our best to find a mutually agreeable placement (for student & organisation) • However, we cannot guarantee your first choice • You may be asked to be flexible with your choice Note: any work based learning will be beneficial

13. After the placement you will; • Asked to reflect on what impact the experience has had in relation to your future career ideas • Write short report to be used as a case study for BBSRC • Record a short video case study - Optional

14. What you need to do • Examine information on PhD career options (links provided on programme website ) • www.ucl.ac.uk/careers/researchers/BBSRC • 2. Identify your chosen sector and / or preferred organisation • 3. Clarify your rational for applying • 4. Discuss with your degree supervisor and gain agreement • 5. Complete the application form located in programme website • 6. Deadline for submission is – 11th January 2013 • 7. Personal consultations @ careers service – March - May • 8. Placement – aim for early July

15. Remember, the placement; • Provides a future employer with evidence of motivation & relevant experience • Enhances essential transferable skills • Allows exploration of alternative career options • Helps you identify developmental needs

16. The Application Form

17. How to Apply • Access the form at: • www.ucl.ac.uk/careers/researchers/BBSRC • Complete all sections • Send an electronic copy to: m.leckie@ucl.ac.uk • Print a copy and add your signature & that of your degree supervisor • Post this to Calum Leckie at the UCL Careers Service (address on website)

22. Any questions ? Dr Calum Leckie: m.leckie@ucl.ac.uk