TRAINING FOR MPLS RESEARCH STAFF COURSES GUIDE Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences Division

Transcription

1 TRAINING FOR MPLS RESEARCH STAFF COURSES GUIDE Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences Division

2 1 FOREWORD WELCOME! On behalf of the Division I would like to welcome you to Oxford as a member of our research staff in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences. The reputation of our departments depends very significantly on your ability to participate and to carry out research to the very highest standard. For our part we aim to provide you with the highest quality of support and training. As part of our commitment, we offer you a programme of training aimed both at underpinning your research activities as well as ensuring that you are able to develop the necessary skills to advance your career, whether in academia or elsewhere. Please take a few minutes to look through this short booklet which provides you with an overview of the training courses offered by the Division and discuss with your research group leader or line manager how you might best benefit from what is available. As always we welcome feedback from course participants, both formally through feedback questionnaires, and informally to the course organisers. Finally, let me wish you every success with your research in Oxford; I very much hope you will have the most marvellous and rewarding time. Dr P.E.G. Baird MPLS Division CONTENTS Introduction 2 The Divisional Training Team 2 Divisional Courses for Research Staff 3 Other Sources of Support and Information 15 Useful Links 15 Record of Attendance 17

3 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING 2 INTRODUCTION The Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences Division (MPLS)* aims to provide a range of courses that you will find useful at various stages during your research and will support you in your professional development and future career. The broader expertise needed to progress and take up more senior responsibilities are similar in both academic and nonacademic environments. We hope that the courses listed here, and provided elsewhere in the University, will provide what you need. The following pages give details of all the courses relevant to research staff provided by the Division and lists a number of links to others from providers around the University. For dates and other details, and to register for courses, please go to our website ( skills) where we keep all the most up-to-date information. For other information and sources of training and support, please see pages 10 and 11. *MPLS is one of four academic divisions in the University. The departments that make up MPLS are: Chemistry, Computing Laboratory, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Materials, Mathematics, Physics, Plant Sciences, Statistics, Zoology, the eresearch Centre, and the Doctoral Training Centres in the Life Sciences Interface, Systems Biology, and Systems Approaches to Biomedical Science. The Divisional Training Team Alison Trinder Professional Development Officer E: alison.trinder@mpls.ox.ac.uk (2)82470 Paull Hammond-Davies Researcher Training Coordinator E: paull.hammond-davies@mpls.ox.ac.uk (2)82589 For all divisional course enquiries: skillscourses@mpls.ox.ac.uk Website: Weblearn Area: weblearn.ox.ac.uk/portal/hierarchy/mpls/mplsdiv/skills Blog: Facebook: Twitter:

4 3 DIVISIONAL COURSES FOR RESEARCH STAFF BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN THE SCIENCES BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN THE SCIENCES The aim of this series of seminars is to guide senior postdoctoral researchers, research staff, and newly-appointed academic staff in how to master the necessary research tools and working skills to build a successful career in science in academia and elsewhere. The programme includes: The tools needed to become an independent researcher, from writing papers and grant applications, to applying for jobs and research fellowships The skills required for working as an academic, including managing and interacting with others, designing taught courses, and giving a good lecture Managing Career progression from postdoc to professor, or to roles outside academia; managing your mind and approaching new challenges We will be piloting a Teaching Fellowship Programme in collaboration with the Oxford Learning Institute in Hilary and Trinity Terms Its successful completion will lead to a Fellowship of Higher Education Academy. More details will be available online shortly. Intended for: Postdoctoral researchers, contract research staff, and newly-appointed academic staff Timing: Annual programme beginning in Michaelmas term For further info and to book:

5 BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN THE SCIENCES LIST OF SEMINARS IN BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER Coping with Complexity - In this seminar we dissect the complexity of academic life and help to make it manageable through handling the multiplicity of roles (research, teaching, management, community service, family etc.) and using tools for managing time. RDS Skills Codes: B1, B2 Handling Scientific Criticism - In this seminar we analyse samples of actual criticism and argue that criticism is delivered in four ways, three of which can be beneficial to you even if they sound damning. RDS Skills Codes: A2, A3 Writing a Quality Research Paper - The aim of this seminar is to highlight the fact that writing a good scientific paper demands more than the ability to write good English, with practical advice on how to handle different types of writing projects. RDS Skills Codes: A1, A2, A3, D2 Grant Writing in Theory - This seminar outlines good practice for grant writing based on project management guidelines, and gives a blueprint for what makes a good application. RDS Skills Codes: A3, C2, C3, D2 Giving a Good Research Seminar - This seminar provides guidance on how to engage your audience. RDS Skills Codes: A1, A3, D2, D3 Handling New Roles - In this seminar we discuss the general concept of Belbin Team Profiles and what each classification means, and which roles within academia will come naturally to each profile and which will need more effort. RDS Skills Codes: B1, B2, B3, D1 Learning From and Interacting With Other People - In this seminar we invite young PIs to recall their experiences of the postdoc-pi transition and to offer their advice for avoiding problems. RDS Skills Codes: B3, D1 Managing People - In this seminar we provide a number of scenarios that require a people management solution. RDS Skills Codes: B1, B3, D1, D2 Continued overleaf... 4

6 5 DIVISIONAL COURSES FOR RESEARCH STAFF BUILDING A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN THE SCIENCES/ WELCOME EVENT LIST OF SEMINARS CONTINUED Managing Your Mind - This workshop tackles work-life balance through managing your mind. The emphasis is on the need to maintain physical, mental and emotional health as a key to personal effectiveness through achieving concentration, clarity of mind and decisiveness in action.this is an interactive day, with short talks and the opportunity to practice meditation and Zen yoga. Meditation and Mindfulness - Everyone needs to have a good work / life balance to provide perspective and maintain sanity. In order to achieve such a balance we need to find out what works best for us, hence needing to find time to reflect and relax in order to boost our creativity and physical well-being. This course is an eight week programme which will enable participants to achieve just that and is based on non-religious Zen meditation and mindfulness. While aimed at beginners who have no previous experience of meditation it is open to those who have already practised. WELCOME EVENT FOR NEW RESEARCH STAFF If you have recently joined the University as a member of research staff (research assistant, postdoc, research fellow etc), this event is an opportunity for you to find out about career and professional development opportunities, the services and support available for you throughout your time as a researcher here at Oxford, and to meet other new researchers from departments in the University over coffee and pastries. The event will comprise a series of short talks from some of the University s central providers of training and support, giving you an introduction to what they offer and how you can get involved; the opportunity to talk informally to other new researchers; and an information fair allowing you to browse resources and talk to colleagues.. Intended for: Postdoctoral researchers and contract research staff in their first year Timing: Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity Term RDS Skills Codes: B3 For further info and to book:

7 6 TEACHING SKILLS TEACHING PRACTICES This seminar is directed at employees in MPLS and Medical Sciences newly starting out in teaching. The purpose is to provide participants with an opportunity and resources to review and/or plan their approach to the facilitation of others learning, particularly through the conduct of tutorials, classes and lectures. Working together, and in small discussion groups, we will seek answers to a range of practical questions faced by researchers who are new to teaching. We will review purposes and approaches to the conduct of lectures, classes and tutorials, as well as the contribution they make to courses of study taken by students at all levels. We will also offer a range of resources and other sources of advice that participants can use now, and suggest strategies that you might adopt to consolidate your work as teachers and ensure the successful further development of this aspect of your career. For further info about developing teaching skills: Intended for: Postdoctoral researchers with an interest in an academic career Timing: Hilary Term RDS Skills Codes: A1, B1, B2, B3, D2, D3 READING SERIES Many postdoctoral researchers aspire to an academic career; the keystone is good research, but many posts are advertised where teaching experience is a selection criterion. The University has developed a training framework allowing students to obtain a reasonably portable qualification (Associate Membership of Higher Education Academy). For further info about developing teaching skills: As part of this programme the Division, in collaboration with the Oxford Learning Institute, provides an annual Reading Group to support the development of teaching skills. This is a series of six lunchtime meetings. Participants are expected to read educationally relevant material, discuss, and reflect upon it. Intended for: Postdoctoral researchers with a serious interest in an academic career Timing: Hilary Term RDS Skills Codes: D3

8 7 DIVISIONAL COURSES FOR RESEARCH STAFF TRAINING IN TEACHING SKILLS PREPARING FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING AT OXFORD (PLTO) All departments in the MPLS Division offer introductory teaching seminars, usually called Preparing for Learning and Teaching at Oxford (known as PLTO). Some departments also have regular opportunities to teach undergraduates. For details of training in teaching skills opportunities please contact the relevant person in your department (see link below). DEVELOPING FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING AT OXFORD (DLTO) If you have completed your departmental PLTO seminar, and expect to be undertaking some teaching, then you may want to consider completing the Oxford Developing Learning and Teaching programme. This programme offers a way to make the most of your first teaching experiences in UK higher education. If completed in full it leads to an award which is recognised at universities across the UK: Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA). The programme consists of five elements: An experience of teaching Observation of teaching Mentoring by an academic Reading a small amount of educational literature A portfolio of words, made up of items of your choice The individual elements are not intended to be completed in order, as this list might suggest. For example, you do not need to wait until after you have completed some teaching before observing others classes or starting to write a portfolio. Rather, these activities are most effective when undertaken in parallel. Most participants complete the portfolio in which these activities are recorded in the course of one year or less. For more information please see the following link: For further info and to book:

9 8 PERSONAL EFFECTIVENESS SPRINGBOARD (FOR WOMEN) Springboard is an award-winning personal and professional development programme, designed and developed by women for women. It consists of four one-day workshops each a month apart (attendance at all four workshops is required) and a workbook that supports individual reflection. The Springboard programme builds on what you already have and already are, and helps you to challenge the things that are not right for you. It insists that you build your way forward in realistic and practical ways, and helps you to make good decisions based on what is right for you in your individual life and context.you will also be encouraged to develop your networks and networking skills. The programme will help you to find ways to build on your experience to date and support you in deciding the future direction of your career, whether that is inside or outside academia. Intended for: Female postdoctoral researchers Timing: Trinity Term RDS Skills Codes: B1, B2, B3 NAVIGATOR (FOR MEN) Navigator results in long term, high quality benefits for individuals and their organisations. Grounded in reality, it enables men to identify the clear and practical steps they want to take in their lives, and then develop the skills and determination to do something about them. It consists of four whole-day workshops spread over three months (attendance at all four workshops is required); a workbook for individual work and reflection; the encouragement of effective networks within the group; peer coaching to enable long term, sustainable progress. It will help you to find ways to build upon your own experience to date and support you in deciding the future direction of your career, whether that is within or outside academia. Intended for: Male postdoctoral researchers Timing: Michaelmas Term RDS Skills Codes: B1, B2, B3

10 9 DIVISIONAL COURSES FOR RESEARCH STAFF GENERAL RESEARCHER DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH INTEGRITY This session will provide a general introduction to ethical issues in research, considering the decisions to be made in its planning, conduct, and publication. Through lecture, discussion, and case studies we will aim to develop a systematic understanding of issues by locating them within an ethical framework. The aim of the session is to encourage participants to articulate and reflect on the ethical concerns present in the course of their own research, and consider how best to address them. Intended for: All postdoctoral researchers Timing: Michaelmas Term RDS Skills Codes: A1, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1 ACADEMIC ENGLISH This 32-hour course is for non-native speakers of English and provides the opportunity to develop the communication skills needed for teaching and for wider academic practice. The focus will be on speaking and writing clearly in English, and on being able to make use of appropriate styles for a range of contexts. Participants will be expected to give a short presentation on a subject connected with their field, and submit several written assignments for peer and tutor feedback. Classes will be 2 hours per week for 8 weeks. Intended for: All postdoctoral researchers Timing: Hilary and Trinity Term RDS Skills Codes: A1, D2, D3 MANAGING RELATIONSHIPS PRO-ACTIVELY As a post-doc you will work with a range of people at Oxford and beyond. This course will look at how to improve the ways you build and manage these relationships, and ways to increase the chances of positive outcomes. It will include: Clarifying expectations of relationships Skills and models for assertiveness and effective communication Opportunities to practice some of the skills covered Intended for: All postdoctoral researchers Timing: Hilary Term RDS Skills Codes: B1, C1, D1 For further info and to book:

11 10 CAREER MANAGEMENT TOO LATE TO CHANGE DIRECTION? A CAREER CHANGE WORKSHOP FOR RESEARCH STAFF Been a researcher for a while? Considering a change but unsure what you have to offer to the outside world or if leaving academic research is indeed the right move? This workshop will enable research staff to begin exploring the possibility of changing career in a structured and supportive environment. By the end of this session you should be able to: begin to understand how employers might view career change and what they are looking for, and how to effectively communicate what you have to offer identify barriers preventing your career progression or career change compare the advantages and disadvantages of staying in research and moving outside research develop your own personal action plan gain knowledge of the resources available to assist future career management Intended for: Research staff Timing: Please see for latest dates. RDS Skills Codes: B3 T0 PHD OR NOT TO PHD? A CAREER PATHWAYS WORKSHOP FOR RESEARCH ASSISTANTS Are you a research assistant wondering where to go next in your career? Not sure what to do when your contract ends or if a PhD is for you? Then come to our new workshop just for Research Assistants! Meet other Research Assistants and we will explore academic career pathways as well as how to start thinking about what other career options you may have. The aim of this workshop is to develop the knowledge required to understand and decide if a PhD and academic career is a realistic career option for you and to understand how to move forwards with career planning. You will be able to: to understand PhD and academic career pathways to analyse the pros and cons of academic versus non-academic career paths to gain knowledge of the resources available to assist future career management Intended for: Research staff Timing: Please see for latest dates. RDS Skills Codes: B3

12 11 DIVISIONAL COURSES FOR RESEARCH STAFF CAREER MANAGEMENT CAREER MANAGEMENT FOR RESEARCH STAFF This workshop has been designed specifically for University Research Staff at all levels and at any stage in their career, who want to step back and spend a few productive hours focusing on identifying their ideal job and future possible career paths within, or outside of, academia. An interactive mix of short individual exercises and small informal group discussions will help you to build a clearer picture of the key factors relating to your career and personal circumstances and to explore career pathways. The session will cover: reflections on where your career is right now; creating your ideal job; job satisfaction and career motivations; identifying your values and transferable skills; how to identify possible career pathways and move forward effectively. You will be encouraged to draw your insights together to begin a realistic personal career plan and to consider your next steps.the workshop will help you: to step back and reflect on career to date to understand and assess key internal/external factors in making career decisions to begin to identify key aspects of your ideal job to understand and analyse the transferable skills developed in research to gain a clearer idea of possible career pathways to gain knowledge of the resources available to assist future career management to begin developing personal career objectives Intended for: Research staff Timing: Please see for latest dates. RDS Skills Codes: B3 GET THAT JOB Get That Job is a career and professional development course offering information, tips, and examples of successful approaches to tailoring applications for posts within academia, industry, and commerce. This one day event includes information on how to prepare CVs and interview requirements, and also includes time for networking and discussion with external recruitment agencies. Intended for: Research staff Timing: Trinity Term RDS Skills Codes: B3 For further info and to book:

13 JOB SEARCH, CV AND INTERVIEW SKILLS FOR RESEARCH STAFF 12 CAREER MANAGEMENT A highly interactive day, it will equip you with the skills to play the recruitment game to best effect. Emphasis will be given to understanding the processes which UK employers are increasingly using to select staff and the importance of tailoring CVs, applications and approaches accordingly. We will review the transferable nature of skills gained in research to other work environments and effective job search techniques. We will discuss and practice the skills required for effective performance at interview; preparation, self-presentation and how to deal with typical interview questions. The workshop will cover the skills required for both academic and non-academic applications. Follow up one-to-one career discussions can then be used to review intended applications and to prepare for particular interviews.the aim of the workshop is to enable participants to develop the knowledge and skills for effective job searching, preparation of CVs, cover letters and application forms and for performance at interview. This workshop will help you: to develop awareness of different job search techniques, including how to employ practical networking techniques to begin to recognise the skills developed during research and analyse how to present these effectively in written applications to understand and recognise the characteristics of effective CVs, cover letters and application forms to critique the strengths and weaknesses of their own and colleagues current CVs to evaluate example cover letters in order to build their knowledge of different types and styles they may utilise to prepare an example answer for an application form to understand interview processes and practice being interviewed in a supportive environment This workshop runs as a one day workshop and across two days each term. There will be a half-day workshop for Job Search, CV and Cover Letter Skills for Research Staff, and another specifically for Interview Skills for Research Staff. If you would prefer to attend either of these, please click on the relevant session to sign up. Intended for: Research staff Timing: Please see for latest dates. RDS Skills Codes: B3

14 13 DIVISIONAL COURSES FOR RESEARCH STAFF ENTERPRISE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP BUILDING A BUSINESS Building a Business is a 9 week course of basic business skills. It covers good business practice with a focus on science entrepreneurship. It is designed around technological enterprise but most course materials are relevant to general business practice. The following topics are covered: Taking the first steps: company basics Evaluating a venture idea Marketing: creating and keeping customers Negotiation skills Managing people, managing teams Raising capital, doing deals Understanding financial control Protecting your ideas: intellectual property Entrepreneurship and the ideal business plan Provided by Oxford Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. For further details, contact them on buildingabusiness@sbs.ox.ac.uk Intended for: Postdoctoral researchers Timing: Please see: ONLINE: ARE YOU AN ENTREPRENEUR? This course aims to help researchers learn about who owns inventions developed in academic research facilities, the processes by which technologies are transferred from academic research into the commercial realm, and a host of other considerations. ONLINE: OPPORTUNITY, RECOGNITION, AND EVALUATION This course will introduce you to the nature of entrepreneurial opportunities and introduce the fundamentals of business planning. ONLINE: RESOURCES (PEOPLE, TEAMS, FINANCE) This course will help you to think in a logical and systematic way about the resources required to start a successful new venture. For further info and to book:

15 14 ONLINE COURSES OTHER ONLINE COURSES As well as the Enterprise courses, the University has a number of free online courses designed to support you in your research and are available when you want to complete them: Publishing in the Sciences Project Management in a Research Context Career Planning in the Sciences Intellectual Property in the Research Context Good Practice in Citation/Avoidance of Plagiarism Ethics 1: Good Research Practice Ethics 2: Working with Human Subjects Selecting a Conference, Presenting and Networking Managing Your Research Supervisor/PI All courses are available at:

16 15 OTHER SOURCES OF SUPPORT AND INFORMATION OTHER TRAINING PROVIDERS IN THE UNIVERSITY/USEFUL LINKS The Oxford Learning Institute: Provides professional development for all staff at the University The Careers Service: The Careers Service is available for research staff as well as students, and provides a range of workshops and other support The Computing Service: Provide courses and computing support The Language Centre: Language courses for all staff and students at the University The Library Service: Research Staff: Employment and Career Development of Research Staff: uk/personnel/cops/rsemp-career/ University Code of Practice for the Employment and Career Development of Research Staff: Research Staff Gateway: The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers: Development-of-Researchers.html The Researcher Development Framework: html The Researcher Development Statement: RDS.html

17 16 Vitae: Vitae is a national organisation that champions the professional and career development of researchers. Its vision is for the UK to be world-class in supporting the professional development of researchers and researcher careers. Continuing Professional Development Centre : The CPD Centre provides world-class postgraduate education and professional development through flexible part-time courses. WISER: WISER (Workshops in Information Skills and Electronic Resources) is a Bodleian Library initiative which aims to enable members of the University to make the most effective use of electronic and other library resources to support their information, research, teaching, and learning needs. JOBS: The specialist jobsite for careers in academic, research, science, and related professions. Research Integrity: This website provides links to the relevant University policies, guidelines and procedures which are intended to promote the responsible conduct of research in the University s ongoing research activities. Oxford Bioethics Network: oxbionet.medsci.ox.ac.uk The Oxford Bioethics Network promotes world-class interdisciplinary research by leaders in ethics, law and the medical sciences. It aims to: develop evidence-based theory, policy and practice; provide resources and support to researchers at all stages of their careers; and cultivate research and teaching collaborations in bioethics. The Research Councils: The strategic partnership of the UK s seven Research Councils, each year the Research Councils invest around 2.8 billion in research covering the full spectrum of academic disciplines from the medical and biological sciences to astronomy, physics, chemistry and engineering, social sciences, economics, environmental sciences and the arts and humanities. Research Professionals Research Gate

18 17 RECORD OF ATTENDANCE PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RECORD Please use the table below to keep a record of the courses and events you have attended during your research, and of training and experience you have developed more informally: ACTIVITY DATE WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

19 18 Please use the table below to keep a record of the courses and events you have attended during your research, and of training and experience you have developed more informally: ACTIVITY DATE WHAT DID YOU LEARN?

20 UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD Mathematical, Physical, and Life Sciences Division 9 Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PD