Join us as we celebrate the diverse role of postdocs and research staff, with opportunities to discuss career paths and career development, as well have your say about future support for postdoctoral research staff in the College of Science and Engineering.

Enjoy a platform where distinguished speakers from academia and beyond share their career journeys and insights. Lunch and refreshments will be provided, but please only sign up if you intend to attend the whole day.

Programme:

· Welcome Address from Prof Jane Hillston, Dean of Research Culture and REF – Learn about ongoing efforts to foster a positive research culture and support PDRAs.

· Managing and Thriving as a Postdoc -- Dr Dan Nussey (School of Biological Science) reflects on the challenges and opportunities of being a PostDoc.

· The Concordat and what it means for you-- Develop your understanding of how the IAD are supporting researchers’ career development and the research environment. (Dr Fiona Philippi, Head of Researcher Development)

· Interactive 'Just One Thing' Session -- Share and explore ideas to enhance the postdoc experience.

· Lunch Break & Stalls -- Explore stalls and connect with peers.

· Career Round-Robin (panel) -- Learn from an exciting group of speakers at different career stages within and beyond academia to present the paths that led them to their current roles. (Various speakers)

· Parallel Session A: Career Round-Robin -- Follow up with speakers and learn from their insights as to how they reached their positions. (Various speakers)

· Parallel Session B: Making the most of your postdoc Round-Robin – Discuss a variety of different options for gaining valuable experience and transferrable skills beyond your project during your postdoc position and enhancing your CV. (Various speakers)

· Response to the ‘Just One Thing’ Session - Jane Hillston will briefly respond to the suggestions generated in the morning and how they related to the 25/26 CSE research cultures action plan.

· Keynote Speaker -- Dr Sara Shinton, Director of the Future Leaders Fellows Development Network and Institutional Lead for Wellcome InFrame Institutional Research Culture Change Project, reflects on her journey from postdoc to her current role, emphasising the positive influence of her postdoc experience.

The symposium is organised by the College of Science and Engineering’s Research Culture team and the School of Biological Sciences research staff society, BioDocSoc, as part of a series of May events focused on Career Development.

Don’t miss the opportunity to learn, network, and advance your career. Secure your spot today!

Delegates will recieve additional information 2 weeks in advance of the symposium.

Check in on the day is the Larch Lecture Theatre (Room 1.15, 1st Floor,) The Nucleus.

When registering, please ensure your email address is accurate and advise of any accessibility needs. Please see information on accessibility.

Registrations are closed

CSE Postdoctoral and Research Staff Symposium 2025