New International Postdoctoral Researchers


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Welcome to our new international postdoctoral research staff!  We hope you enjoy your time here at the University of Birmingham.

This page brings together links to a variety of information to help you settle in to life in the UK and Birmingham.

If you cannot find the information you require or have any further questions then please contact ECDN Officer Richard Jones for assistance.  The University's Human Resources intranet pages  provide details of how you can contact the HR teams in your College who can also provide advice and assistance. 

Introductory Information for International Staff

The Introductory Information for International Staff is written for international researchers by Dr Eva Jaarsma, former Research Fellow and ECDN Rep for the School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences who is herself an international researcher.  It covers many of the basics you will need to arrange when you first move to the UK.

ECDN Rep for New International Postdocs

Aswell as the Rep for your school, there is also a Rep for New International Postdocs, Rama Ambur. Contact Rama Ambur to receive more information about the ECDN programme and life as an International Postdoc at the University. 

Further Information

Follow the links below to access a wide range of essential information about life in the UK.

University of Birmingham - Information for International Staff

The University of Birmingham's web page for International Staff provides links to a variety of important information on settling into life in the UK, as well as general information for new staff at the University.

The University's Induction webpage sets out what you can expect from your induction at the University and provides a range of useful information to help you settle into your new role.

British Council - Essential information about living and working in the UK

The British Council's Euraxess UK website is a British Council managed hub which aids researchers in their career development, supporting mobility and acting as a support mechanism for researchers moving abroad or moving to the UK.  It provides a range of essential information about living in the UK, covering:

  • Daily life
  • Accommodation
  • Personal finance
  • Family
  • Entry conditions and visas
  • Healthcare

The website also includes essential information for researchers about working in the UK, covering:

  • Research landscape
  • Social welfare
  • Qualifications
  • Taxation
  • Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
  • Career Development

GOV.UK - Essential information on visas, immigration and living in the UK

GOV.UK is the best place to find UK government services and information.  It provides essential guidance on UK visas and immigration, as well as access to a wide range of advice and services relating to life in the UK.

If you are in the process of coming to work at the University, information on visas and how to apply are provided individually at the appropriate time in the recruitment process.

Living in Birmingham

Birmingham is the UK's second city and an exciting and vibrant place in which to live and work.  The city combines all the facilities and advantages of a large cosmopolitan urban area with easy access to beautiful surrounding countryside and excellent transport links to the rest of the UK.

Birmingham City Council's Moving to Birmingham webpages provide information on the practicalities of life in Birmingham.

Visit Birmingham provides information on the city's many attractions and leisure time activities, including events, heritage, culture, sport, shopping and food and drink.  

Support for Researchers in the UK

The University of Birmingham offers a variety of training and support for researchers at all stages of their careers.  Visit the EPS & LES ECDN Events and Training and Development webpages for more information on the types of support available to postdoctoral researchers in the Colleges of EPS and LES.

A number of national organisations also provide support for researchers in the UK:Close

Vitae is a non-profit programme, part of The Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC) Ltd which seeks to enhance the skills and careers of researchers and to strengthen institutional provision for the professional development of their researchers.   Vitae provides a range of online courses and resources for researchers covering professional development, career management and planning, and careers inside and outside academia.

Research Professional is an online database of research funding opportunities and research policy news which provides a quick and easy way to search for a wide range of funding opportunities from research councils, charities, and many other funders.