PERCAT aims not only to support you during your time at the university, but also offer advice and prepare you for the future.
Careers advice
PERCAT offers advice to early career researchers at every stage, to ensure you make the most of your academic environment. There is training and support offered through mentoring programmes, research facilitators and 1-1 conversations with the early career researcher development team.
Contact us for more information.
Vitae - Professional Development for Researchers
Applying for funding
Funding applications are a key part of early career researcher life. You might wish to apply for grants to fund conference attendance, meetings that could lead to new collaborations and links with industry, consumables and staff costs to take further your new idea etc.
The Fellowships and Grants Academy pages contain links to various funding streams and offer advice about how to apply.
Personal transferable skills
Are you making the most of your academic environment? MDS offers opportunities to teach and become involved in translational research programmes for patient benefit. A connected researcher has valuable skills to promote a positive relationship with patients and the general public. Personal transferable skills training can serve beyond life as a researcher, for example promoting effective networking and negotiating skills.
Contact us for more information.
Science communication
Pint of Science is a non-profit organisation that brings some of the most brilliant scientists to your local pub to discuss their latest research and findings with the public.
Public engagement
The Public Engagement with Research (PER) Team provide researchers with resources, support, opportunities and inspiration to help them develop new and exciting ways to engage the public with their research.
Working with industry
The University of Birmingham Enterprise team manages the University of Birmingham’s technology transfer and academic consultancy, set up spinout companies, and run the business incubation services and the facilities at the Birmingham Research Park.
Science policy
The Academy of Medical Sciences publishes working group reports, statements, consultation responses and discussion papers. The Academy connects their Fellows and other experts with policymakers through workshops, roundtables, private briefings and networking events.
Mentoring
We are running a new pilot mentoring scheme for 12 early career researchers that will be matched to senior academics for a structured mentoring relationship. Contact Gaynor Miller (Researcher Development Manager) for further information.
Teaching opportunities
Teaching is an excellent way of testing what you know, reminding yourself of what you once knew, and gaining strong communication skills that will help you as you present your research to the scientific community and the public. Some of you might even decide it is the right profession for you.
Birmingham Beacon: Development Opportunities for Teaching and Learning
Birmingham Beacon is the framework that provides professional development opportunities for colleagues who teach and support learning, including the achievement of teaching qualifications and professional recognition. It is provided by the Teaching Excellence and Higher Education Futures Institute (HEFi).
HEA Fellowships Beacon Scheme
If you a member of staff involved in teaching and / or supporting our students’ learning at the University of Birmingham you now have an internal route to gaining an internationally recognised award that demonstrates your commitment to teaching and learning in higher education.
The Beacon Scheme offers supported routes to achieving Associate Fellowship, Fellowship and Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy based on your experience of working in higher education. Becoming a Fellow demonstrates your commitment to quality-enhanced approaches to teaching and supporting learning and is recognised across the sector as a measure of professional practice and success. This scheme is for all those who teach and support learning.
Further information and workshop dates can be accessed from the Beacon Scheme web pages.
Funding opportunities
There are a number of funding and fellowship opportunities which are also advertised via the PERCAT Newsletter (link to newsletter when available). To find out details regarding other opportunities visit Research Professional.
The Research Development Fund provides financial support to underpin career development and research innovation within the College of Medical and Dental Sciences (CMDS). This funding is a central College resource, overseen by a cross-College committee.
Networking
Making connections at conferences can be essential for developing networks, collaborations, and ultimately for strengthening your research – read more from Dr Zania Stamataki and Professor Julie Williams CBE FMedSci FLSW for their top tips on networking with confidence and achieving your goals.
Sue Tonks - A masterclass in networking with courtesy and professionalism by Sue Tonks.
Athena SWAN - Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.
MDS Athena SWAN - Our college Athena SWAN team is committed to equality in career progression and ensuring that our working environment is inclusive for all.
Vitae - Are you an early career researcher? Then you should know about Vitae, and the wealth of resources available through their web pages. Make sure you visit the link for the Concordat, that stipulates how best to provide the most nurturing environment for your career development.