BOOST: Career Development for Researchers

BOOST has a range of opportunities. Some are targeted to particular audiences or career stages, for example PGRs and research staff, and other sessions are available to all.

We cover a broad range of topics including: 

• Professional development 
• Career planning 
• Applying for a job (both academic and non-academic) 
• Communicating your skills 
• Fellowships, grants and funding

We also run regular drop-ins to support researchers with the new narrative CV format (also known as the Résumé for Research and Innovation). Check below for the next drop-in date.

No - BOOST is a 'pick and mix' programme, meaning you can attend as many or as few sessions as you like.

You may wish to attend just one, or you may want to schedule in multiple sessions over the year. It's up to you!

That’s not a problem! Our sessions enable you to develop your skills, confidence and preparedness for any career, academic or otherwise.

6 March, 3-4:30pm, OD&PL Seminar Room 1.35 (just off the Parkinson Building)

Writing your CV can feel like a challenge. There are now a wide range of CV types - academic, narrative, non-academic - and it can be hard to know where to begin, or whether you're on the right track.

OD&PL offers CV drop-ins roughly every 6 weeks for researchers who want to ask questions about CVs, or who are interested in getting feedback on their CV. These drop-ins are run by Ruth Winden (Careers with Research Consultant) and Taryn Bell (Researcher Development Adviser).

To book a slot with Ruth or Taryn, use our drop-in booking sheet.

14 March, 10am-12pm, online

This workshop by Caryn Douglas will help participants prepare to talk about the transferable skills they have developed in a way that will be relevant and intriguing to employers outside the Academy.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Be able to interrogate job advertisements to identify the specialist and transferable skills being sought.
• Be familiar with the concept of competencies and competency-based interviewing.
• Have started using storytelling techniques to illustrate those experiences for an interview setting.

The workshop uses a blend of instruction, individual preparation and live role-play practice. Participants will have the opportunity to prepare real answers to real interview questions, and receive feedback from others.

Please note: Pre-course work required! In preparation for the workshop, participants are asked to:

1. Complete a skills sorting exercise, looking at their level of skill in a range of areas and their enjoyment using that skill.
2. Have THREE job advertisements that interest them ready to refer to.

19 March, 2-4pm, on campus

As a new researcher, there can be lots to think about, for example:

• What do I want to become known for?
• How do I obtain funding?
• How can I get my work published?
• How can I balance research with teaching and other commitments?

Sometimes there can be multiple opportunities, and careful prioritisation is needed as to which one(s) might be the best for you at this particular time. Sometimes the opportunities may seem few and far between, and proactivity and resilience can be key. Within this interactive workshop, we will be exploring and sharing ideas and experience around: developing networks, building collaborations, interdisciplinary research, applying for research funding, and getting published.

7 April, 10:00-13:00, online

Competition for independent research funding is fierce. This session will explain what funders want to achieve, the application process, and share advice from awardees, reviewers and panels to help you present your proposals in a compelling way.

This session will take you through the process of applying for fellowship or other common independent research funding and help you to develop a more effective proposal and prepare for a confident performance at interview.

Specifically, we will cover:

• The purpose of independent funding
• The review and assessment process
• Constructing an effective and appropriate proposal
• Benchmarking yourself against successful applicants and applications
• Articulating your long-term research vision and leadership goals

Target audience: Researchers who:

• Have started developing their own independent research ideas
• Are thinking about or currently preparing a fellowship or independent funding proposal.

9 April, 2-3:30pm, online (Join Meeting)

Writing your CV can feel like a challenge. There are now a wide range of CV types - academic, narrative, non-academic - and it can be hard to know where to begin, or whether you're on the right track.

OD&PL offers CV drop-ins roughly every 6 weeks for researchers who want to ask questions about CVs, or who are interested in getting feedback on their CV. These drop-ins are run by Ruth Winden (Careers with Research Consultant) and Taryn Bell (Researcher Development Adviser).

To book a slot with Ruth or Taryn, use our drop-in booking sheet.

11 April, 9:30am-12:30pm, online

As a researcher, do you want to learn how to plan your career and how to make good strategic career decisions?

By the end of this workshop, you will have:

• Identified 4-5 key personal values
• Created up to three scenarios for a future career
• Created a list of individuals you can approach for additional information
• Identified non-negotiables and risk factors.

You will also be able to:

• Map your personal values onto future career scenarios in order to identify fit and potential compromises you may or may not be willing to make.
• Use future scenarios to pull out additional external factors that are important to your future career.
• Approach specific individuals in your potential future careers with specific questions that will help you better understand the fit of that path to your values and important external factors.
• Identify potential sticking points in your career decision making.
• Value the role of the conscious and unconscious in decision making.

Please note that some pre-work is required.

15 May, 2-4pm, on campus

Negotiating a job offer is a scary prospect, but it is a key skill we must learn to have a successful career.

Whether you want to stay in academia or explore new avenues, you will need to learn how to come to an agreement with a future employer when you receive your job offer. In fact, in some roles, you will be expected to negotiate. Your reluctance to do so will count against you.

In this practical session, we will:

• demystify the negotiation process
• explain what you can and can't negotiate
• help you identify your personal list of what to negotiate
• outline how to do your research and prepare for your negotiations
• explain the negotiation process
• discuss negotiation strategies so you can become a more willing, confident and successful negotiator.
• offer a role play negotiation with a volunteer so we can all see a negotiation in practice.

Participants will receive a negotiation checklist.

Please note that this session will not be recorded, due to the confidential nature of what participants might want to share in discussions.

19 May, 1-3pm, on campus

This workshop gives you a chance to reflect on your career aspirations, identify challenges, and plan actionable next steps. By leveraging Thinking Environment principles, this session provides a structured, inclusive space that fosters independent thinking and clarity. The methodology’s transformative approach is particularly suited to helping researchers explore career decisions in a collaborative yet deeply personal way.

By the end of this session, participants will:

• Have reflected on their career journey to date
• Have a tailored career plan, with specific goals, actionable steps, and timelines
• Be equipped with tools for ongoing career reflection and planning.