Employment

The University of Liverpool’s Research Staff Association (RSA) Buddy Scheme is open to all research staff (those on research-only contracts) at University of Liverpool. It provides a structured space/activity for these staff to meet new colleagues, build their networks and share their experiences of working at the university. It was designed as a way for research staff to meet peers at similar career stages across different faculties and create informal support networks. The scheme is a researcher-led and -owned initiative by the University of Liverpool RSA.


Beneficiaries: Research staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Equality, diversity and inclusion Research culture Wellbeing Induction Research identity


The Prosper PI Network is a community of practice aimed at addressing the development needs of principal investigators (PIs) and managers of researchers and, ultimately, the career development needs of research staff. It has run 4-6 online events a year since 2020 and is open to PIs and managers of researchers across the UK. Through expert speakers, PI guest speakers and peer-led discussions, PI Network events aim to positively influence the culture within research institutions, developing PI practice and creating an environment that supports and values research staff and the academics who manage them


Beneficiaries: Research and teaching staff Managers of researchers
Stakeholders: Managers of researchers Professional staff Senior/executive team Funders
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Principal Investigator Networking Managers of Researchers


The Academic’s Success Guide, an open-access resource, provides perspectives and relevant advice from Principal Investigators (PIs) and senior managers from academic departments and professional services at Imperial on the induction and probation process, as well as a wide range of tools and strategies to support new academics with establishing their career. The sections on managing projects and leading a research group cover processes and offer tried and tested models, along with useful tip sheets and templates to help navigate the day-to-day work of managing projects and people.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Research and teaching staff Managers of researchers
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Senior/executive team
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Leadership development Career management Performance management Guidance and support Professional development Probation Academic career


This open-access development module explores the Principles of the Concordat and the resulting responsibilities for staff. The module serves to foster conversations that nurture a positive and inclusive culture in which researchers take responsibility for the development of their personal and professional practice. As role-related training, the module will be available to new and existing staff as needed, allowing them to refresh their understanding of the Researcher Development Concordat.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Teaching-only staff Technicians Clinicians Managers of researchers Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff Senior/executive team
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Induction Career progression Policy Equality, diversity and inclusion Research integrity Wellbeing Researcher voice Bullying and harassment Flexible working Job security Working conditions Performance management Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition Open Transparent and Merit-based (OTM) recruitment and progression


The Buddy Scheme offers postdocs and early career researchers (i.e. staff on research only contracts) the chance to meet new colleagues, expand their networks and enrich their experience of the University’s research culture in an informal setting. It is an opportunity to meet peers at similar career stages across all faculties, to build connections outside of their research group and to enhance their professional, research and social frames of reference. It is led by the University of Liverpool’s Research Staff Association (RSA) and runs twice a year.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Research and teaching staff Managers of researchers Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Induction Career progression Policy Equality, diversity and inclusion Wellbeing Researcher voice Working conditions Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition


The Academy’s Researcher Development Roadmap (RD Roadmap) provides diverse opportunities for research and research-related staff to create bespoke development pathways in support of their professional practice. The searchable RD Roadmap has been designed for individuals to navigate the wealth of online content available in a range of accessible formats to support career development and progression. The RD Roadmap is updated on a regular basis and is designed around 4 key topics: Career Confidence and Progression; Engagement and Influence; Research Impact; and Personal Effectiveness.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Teaching-only staff Technicians Clinicians Managers of researchers Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Policy Equality, diversity and inclusion Research integrity Wellbeing Researcher voice Performance management Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition


'Advancing in Academia' at King’s College London (KCL) is a four-week blended learning course for PGRs (doctoral researchers) and Research Staff who are considering or planning a career in academia. The course is designed and run in partnership with the researcher careers team at KCL and the College Centre for Doctoral Studies. The most recent version, in 2022, was run for people with dual academic and clinical careers. The course has run since 2017 focussing on different academic disciplines each time, and in 2022 it focussed specifically on clinical academics. Although the general principles described below apply to all iterations, the course run in 2022 represented the most challenging and also the most rewarding.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Postgraduate researchers Research and teaching staff Clinicians Managers of researchers
Stakeholders: Researchers Managers of researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Equality, diversity and inclusion Career management Diverse careers Clinical


Managers of researchers usually step into the role as a result of them winning grant funding to employ someone to work on their project. They often receive no specific training as a manager, or to fulfil the many, diverse obligations that the Concordat places on them. Following wide consultation with stakeholders, we have developed a training ‘bundle’ to support managers of researchers to meet their Concordat obligations that includes advice, resources, signposting to policies and support, and bespoke training. All content is available on demand and delivered in ‘bite-sized' chunks.


Beneficiaries: Managers of researchers
Stakeholders: Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training Professional development Research identity Research culture Career progression Wellbeing Working conditions Performance management Career management Diverse careers Leadership development


The Bournemouth University Academic Targeted Research Scheme (ATRS) was launched to attract and recruit talented early career researchers in targeted research areas, with the potential to become future research leaders. As an academic at Bournemouth University (BU), they are developing their career in an exciting work environment, provided with a high level of dedicated time to drive research activity and build capacity, and have the freedom to develop their research interests within targeted areas. Six appointments were made, which are still ongoing. The opportunity has led to strong research networks, collaboration, and time to achieve goals.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Research and teaching staff Managers of researchers
Stakeholders: Managers of researchers Professional staff Senior/executive team
Concordat principles: Employment
Keywords: Research identity Career progression Career management Leadership development


The University of Liverpool Research Staff Association (UoL RSA) supported by the Academy is a research community-owned and -led initiative. It provides a voice for research staff across all faculties, and a platform for communication and networking. It helps co-ordinate central support for researcher development and builds a researcher community that, through representation on committees and working groups, empowers researchers to be involved in decision making.


Beneficiaries: Research staff Managers of researchers Professional support staff
Stakeholders: Researchers Professional staff
Concordat principles: Environment and culture Employment Professional and career development
Keywords: Training development activities Professional development Research identity Research culture Induction Career progression Policy Equality, diversity and inclusion Wellbeing Researcher voice Bullying and harassment Working conditions Career management Diverse careers Leadership development Research assessment Recognition Research staff association (RSA) Community building