Welcome to the University of York!

We hope that your time here will be happy and productive.

As a researcher, you will play a vital role in the success of the University. You join a large community here of around 500 researchers and we strive to reward the contribution and commitment you will make by ensuring you have the support and advice you require in the coming weeks and throughout your time with us.

The Researcher Development Team provide training and one to one support to enable you to successfully execute your research and to enable you to move on to whatever field of employment chose.

These pages provide you with an informal guide, pointing you in the direction of sources of support and things you may need to ask of those around you.

Talking Head: John Local discusses research at York

John local video thumbnail

 

Research staff: ten things to help you settle in your new role

1. Attend the University central staff induction

New research staff are encouraged to join the main staff induction day for general information about the university which runs approximately six times a year and visit the new starter pages for more information about the university’s induction procedures and policy.

Your department may also have their own induction pack or handbook.

2. Find out if your department or research centre has a research staff association or post doc forum

How are research staff represented within your department or centre? Does it have a research staff association?

If you are interested in setting up a Research Staff Association please contact Kelly McDonald at kelly.mcdonald@york.ac.uk.

3. Explore your new role

Your PI or Line Manager will introduce you to the department, your role and introduce probationary review processes (where relevant) and an induction checklist.

Your induction period will help to clarify some of the following details:

  • Your role, and how it fits with the wider research group/team
  • The objectives of the project
  • Any requirements which relate to your role and the project, specified by the funder
  • Relevant procedures and processes e.g. working practices, timescales, monitoring of progress, the frequency of meetings, arrangements for communication, dissemination or research outcomes, publications, etc
  • Options of having a mentor (where applicable)
  • Options of having a coach (includes discussion around career management)
  • Resources available to you e.g. library, computing, facilities and materials, technical assistance, etc and guidance/ instructions on how to use/ access these facilities
  • Time available for personal and professional development
  • Performance Reviews: all staff are entitled to an annual performance review which should include a discussion about your careers

Ultimately an induction should cover everything you need to know in order to get your work done and feel integrated into your department and the wider University. This will of course take time but there is important information you will need to access at the start of your employment.

Remember to ask questions and seek clarification if you feel anything is unclear.

4. Book a one to one appointment with the Research Staff Developer

You may find it helpful to discuss your professional and personal development with someone outside of your department or research centre. You can book an appointment with Kelly McDonald by emailing kelly.mcdonald@york.ac.uk or calling the Researcher Development Team on 01904 324836. Any discussions are confidential and offer the opportunity to:

  • discuss specific career plans or concerns
  • work on job applications and interview preparation

Appointments are held in a private interview room within the university Careers Service unless requested otherwise. Please note that Kelly McDonald is not based in the Careers Service.

5. Locate the Careers Centre and take a look at the resources and information available online

The Careers Service offers careers information, advice and guidance to research staff as part of the University's commitment to The 2008 Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers. Researchers are encouraged to use the facilities which includes a dedicated resource area for researchers.

6. Find out more about writing your research with impact

Today researchers need to be ready to justify and articulate the impact of their research on the wider society. We offer training and coaching on 'pathways to impact'.

7. Take stock of your training and professional career development needs

As a researcher you are expected to take responsibility for your own professional development and during the early stages of your contract this could include actively seeking information and support, searching for and booking useful training opportunities and looking for opportunities to meet other staff.

If you have independent funding and/or are not part of a large research group, you may particularly need to be proactive at this early stage, to avoid potential isolation.

Explore the development opportunities available to you including the research staff programme and the staff development programme.

8. Find out who will be able to offer you support and information in your Department/ Research Centre

There will be a whole host of people and information resources that will be useful to you. This is not an exhaustive list, but the following people and information sources will be useful to you for many of your queries.

  • Line manager or principal investigator (PI)
  • Grant holder (if not your line manager)
  • Departmental Research Committee
  • Colleagues
  • Local administrative office and staff
  • Your designated departmental Human Resources (HR) manager and advisor
  • Central support services highlighted on the staff home page
  • Trade Union representatives, if you are a member of the union
  • University website: often a very frequent port of call for all new staff trying to find information about services, and contact details.

Look at your Department or Research Centre website to find the contact details of staff locally you can talk to.

9. Find out more about Vitae

Vitae is the national champion for professional and personal development of both doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutions. They provide extensive information and resources on developing as a researcher and managing your career. For example did you know?

  • You can attend a range of free training courses hosted by Vitae, and open to research staff across the UK?
  • You can contribute to a national Research Staff Blog. Topics range from career and professional development, to current issues faced by the research community, to general advice and tips.
  • The UK Research Staff Association is supported by Vitae. They have produced two key pieces of research - "Understanding Research Staff Associations and their impact" and The "Guide to Research Staff Associations.

10. Visit the on-line Staff Development Resource Centre

This toolkit provides staff with practical support and guidance on a variety of needs which may help you to settle into a new role. It looks at helping you to deal with day to day challenges and issues, improving performance and supporting you to reflect on your personal and professional development. Resources include ‘how to’ guides, exercises and assessments, commentaries and other tips and links.

Last Updated: October 28, 2011 | Alex McFarlane

Back to the Top