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Researcher Development

Helping you develop into an independent researcher.

Background

Becoming a research professional within the sciences and engineering disciplines involves more than just building your research profile and research skills. We offer personal, professional and career development opportunities for postgraduate researchers who will go on to work in a variety of careers.

We recognise that everyone is an individual with different skills and experience so the programme is flexible and can be tailored to your own requirements. Explore our online virtual learning environment (Canvas) to learn more of what's on offer or undertake a training needs analysis on NU Reflect.

 

Campus Buildings

Highlights for 2023/24

Key events and activities specific to the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering for the 2023/24 academic year. 

ACTION 2024
ACTION is an innovation and entrepreneurial awareness development programme specifically designed for postgraduate researchers to think about how you can create value and impact from your research whether now or in your future research career.  Over 2 months, starting in May 2024,  we will run a series of workshops together with informal drop-ins which will focus on supporting you to be aware of the industrial and societal problems and challenges that you are addressing, and to work towards realising the impact of your research. ACTION is not a competition as such but will culminate in participants bidding into a development fund to prepare you for further opportunities which may arise later in your career, or to take an idea forward that you have developed during the programme.
 
Full information on ACTION can be found on our Teams site.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ There is no formal application process but you must be a registered research student at Newcastle University. The 6 workshops and the 2 drop-ins are offered to interested PGRs and you should book on and attend as much of the programme as possible.   The first workshop is the 7th May so sign up soon!
Insights Public Lecture

Public lectures at Newcastle University are free and open to all. The aim is to offer a programme that will inform, stimulate, entertain, and excite see https://www.ncl.ac.uk/events/public-lectures/ The latested INSIGHTS Public Lecture: New voices on science, agriculture and engineering was held on the 5th December 2023. You can still watch the recording.

 

PhD & Beyond Weeks

PhD & Beyond weeks are for postgraduate researchers who are coming towards the end of their research degree. Two times are planned 4th-8th December 2023 and 13th - 27th March 2024.

The content of the weeks will include sessions to help you finish your research degree and career development opportunities.

Workshops include: 

  • Interview Skills
  • Introduction to Leadership
  • IP for Researchers
  • Networking for Researchers
  • Policy Engagement for Researchers
  • Preparing for Your Viva
  • Research Funding
  • Where does all the research data go? How to archive and share research data

Browse the workshop booking system for the full programme.

PGR Conference

The annual SAgE PGR conference for the academic year 2023/24 has now taken place. Look out for details of the 2025 conference.

PGR Skills Exchange

An opportunity for current postgraduate researchers to share their knowledge and experience with others from across the Faculty. These informal peer to peer sessions are an opportunity to develop your teaching experience by designing your own workshop in a supportive environment while passing on your skills. Open calls will run across the year but if you have an idea now contact us at pgrdp@ncl.ac.uk

The Brilliant Club

The Brilliant Club provides postgraduate researchers training in widening participation, research communication, and teaching. Researchers are then paid to deliver academically rigorous programmes to small groups of pupils in state schools across the UK.

Applications for placements in 24/25 open on the 25th March 2024.

How does it work?
On The Scholars Programme, tutors are trained to create a course based on their own academic research pitched at pupils in Key Stage 4 or 5. Tutors also have the opportunity to deliver a pre-designed programme to younger pupils aged 8-10. They deliver this course in university-style tutorials to groups of 7. To help fit alongside their other commitments, tutors indicate their availability on a termly basis. Placements are paid from £550 per placement, with an additional £121 for designing a Scholars Programme course (plus London weighting). Travel expenses are also paid.
For more information, register to attend an online information event
To apply, fill in the application form here
If you have any queries, please get in touch via apply@thebrilliantclub.org

Contact us

For any questions or queries please contact us at pgrdp@ncl.ac.uk