Postgraduates who Teach Workshop Cardiff University 2008

1. Postgraduates who Teach WorkshopCardiff University 2008 Getting a Job as a Researcher or Lecturer in Psychology/Social Science Nicola Weston UPSI, Cardiff University

2. Overview • Academic Institution structures • Where do you start? • Academic Jobs – what are your options? • What jobs are available? • What do you need to think about? • When to think about it • The application process: Writing a CV • Practical: Peer review session • The Interview

3. Career Pathways: An Example

4. Where do you start?

5. Finding Vacancies • Websites • www.jobs.ac.uk • The Guardian • The Times Education supplement • HE institution websites • Academics • Ask around! • Deadlines • Jobs can be advertised up to 6 months in advance

6. Academic Jobs - What are your options?

7. Types of Jobs • Research Positions: Advertised Posts • Fellowships • Grants • Lectureships • Teaching Positions

8. Types of Jobs • Research Positions: Advertised Posts

9. Advertised Posts • Research Positions • Start thinking about this EARLY! • What type of research do you want to undertake? • Work experience • Think about building your CV – institution objectives • Publications • Teaching Experience • Conferences (Oral presentation preferred) • Many jobs are fixed term due to external funding for limited time • Research Centres

10. Career Pathways: An Example

11. Advertised Posts • Research Progression • Progression will depend upon a number of factors: • Publications • Conferences (Oral presentation preferred) • Ability to obtain research funding • HE Experience • Moving to another pathway • You will need to build up the skills and experience relevant to that position

12. Types of Jobs • Research Positions: Advertised Posts • Fellowships

13. Fellowships • Your ‘own’ Grant • May/may not be option now but start thinking about this at least 1 year in advance • Not many options at an early stage career level • Two post-PhD options: • ESRC Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PhD submitted) • ESRC small grant scheme (PhD required) • Principal Investigator (important for career progression)

14. Types of Jobs • Research Positions: Advertised Posts • Fellowships • Grants

15. Grant Applications • Applications (inc salary) • Research Councils / Charity based organisations • Check deadlines – process takes about 6-8 months • Some grants require at least 3 years post-doc experience for PI application • Co-applicant / named researcher - options post-PhD: • ESRC small grants scheme • BBSRC • Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator (important for career progression)

16. Types of Jobs • Research Positions: Advertised Posts • Fellowships • Grants • Lectureships

17. Lectureships • Lecturer Positions • More opportunity if establish research portfolio • Which university? What do you want to teach? • Essentials: • Research portfolio: Publications • Conferences • Teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level is important • Experience of applying for research funding • Management / Mentoring • Some positions are fixed term, some permanent

18. Career Pathways: An Example

19. Types of Jobs • Research Positions: Advertised Posts • Fellowships • Grants • Lectureships • Teaching Positions

20. Teaching • Teaching Positions • Not as frequently advertised • Many are part time • Both fixed term and permanent • Availability depends upon the institution • Often linked to studentships

21. Some things to think about now…. • The next step…. • Options – research/teaching experience is the key at an early stage. Try and be involved in a number of projects so that you get a wealth of experience (you never know when it may be useful) • Try and get involved with projects that have the potential for publication • Think about inter-disciplinary research (research council objectives) • Networking – academia is a small world! Attend conferences and seminars

22. Non-Academic Jobs • Various Options • Teaching in further education • Research Council positions • Research Analyst (commercial/charity) • Governmental • Office for National Statistics (ONS)

23. Applying Academic Skills

24. Making an application for an academic position

25. Preparing the Application • The Job Vacancy Description • Read and re-read • Highlight the essential criteria • Explore the research area (contacts in the field?) • Do some background research on the institution / research group • CV or Application form? • Detailed job descriptions of skills and requirements • Essential / desirable criteria • Use every section of the application form

26. Preparing the Application • Cover Letter • Important as it’s the first thing they will read • Tailor your cover letter to the position • State the post you are applying for (universities often have many posts advertised concurrently) • Include a list of all the documents you are enclosing • Use the letter to highlight the key elements of your interest and suitability for the post • Referee contact details (if requested)

27. Academic CV • Writing a CV • Longer than a non-academic CV • Personal details • Research interests and experience • Education (reverse chronological order) • Employment history • Research funding • Teaching Experience • Training and Development • Skills • List of Publications/Conferences • Hobbies and interests (if appropriate)

28. Practical: Writing a CV

29. Practical – 15 minutes • Read through the two job vacancy adverts and choose which job you would like to apply for based on your current experience • Get into pairs - Hand your CV/Job advert to your partner • Provide feedback based on structure and content of your colleagues CV based on the requirements of the post • Strengths / areas for improvement • Note: You will not be able to provide feedback on the specific area of research

30. Congratulations you have passed the application stage!The Interview

31. The Interview – One to One • Your ability to shine! • Be prepared • Read your application prior to the interview • They have read your application but will be looking for you to explain/provide examples around what you have written • Do your homework on the organisation • Ask questions (Have about 5 prepared) • From their perspective: • Do you have the right skills? • Will you fit well in the current team? • Can you answer their questions? • From your perspective: • Do you want to work in this company/organisation? • Do you want to work for these people?

32. The Interview – One to One • The Structure • The ‘Why’ question • Research expertise • Links with other departments • International links • Teaching experience • Administration • Strengths and weaknesses

33. Experience • Undergraduate Degree • Research Assistant Position • Masters • PhD • Teaching Undergraduates • Research Associate / Fellow • Outside academia

34. The Interview – The Presentation • Lecturer / Teaching positions • Lecturer Positions • You will be asked to give a presentation on your research interests and future plans • Teaching Positions • You will be asked to give a presentation demonstrating how you would approach a teaching session

35. Good Luck!