From PhD to postdoc: making the transition (Sciences/Medicine)

Audience: PG research

Date: Tuesday 11 February 2025

Times: 11.00 to 12.30

Programme: GRADskills

Key details: Aimed at PhD candidates from science disciplines considering a future in academic research.

Target audience

Doctoral students in science disciplines nearing the end of a PhD.

Course mapped to

Vitae's Researcher Development Framework domain: B3 (Professional and career development)

Course information

PLEASE NOTE: This workshop will run in person.  If you are no longer able to attend, please cancel your place at least two working days before so that we can allow others onto the course.

This session is designed for penultimate and final year PhD students from the Faculties of Science & Medicine who are intent on applying for postdoctoral positions following their PhD completion. Delivered by the University of St Andrews Careers Centre, the aim of the session is to provide an overview of the transition from PhD student to postdoctoral member of staff, and will cover typical postdoctoral career pathways and resources on where to find postdoctoral vacancies and advertisements within and outside the UK. Open primarily to penultimate and final year PhD students from the faculties of Science and Medicine.

Audience: PG Research

Participant feedback from AY 23/24:

“I like the breakdown of the three most important things lectureships are looking for: research, teaching, and academic administration. That was simple and helpful for what I need to think about.”

“It was informative.”

Aims and objectives

By the end of the session, participants should be able to:

• Gain a greater understanding of possible career progression within academia, beginning with the postdoctoral researcher role;
• Understand how to make the most of your time as a PhD candidate to plan ahead for the transition;
• Gain an appreciation of what principal investigators/group leaders are looking for when hiring postdocs;
• Become familiar with some of the key sources of academic vacancies and research funding.

Tutors

Dr Philip Ireland

Venue

TBC

Course provider

IELLI
Email: ielli@st-andrews.ac.uk