Career Accelerator

Career Accelerator is our latest career development programme for postdoctoral researcherss and teaching fellows whose contracts are ending within the next 6-12 months and who would like help to find their next position. 

If you know what direction you want to take, what kind of role you want to apply for and all you need is some help to secure your next role, fast, then this is the programme for you. 

Unlike  Career Architect, which is ideal for researchers who have decided to leave academic research and want to explore career alternatives, Career Accelerator offers job search support for any position - within and beyond academia: 

• postdoctoral researchers
• lectureships
• project manager roles
• professional service roles within the Higher Education sector
• and ANY role you want to pursue in the private, public and third sectors, in whatever location.

NB: Career Accelerator is not suitable for fellowship applicants. We have a comprehensive support programme for writing fellowship applications.  

Career Accelerator is a group-based, modular programme facilitated by Ruth Winden, the University’s Careers with Research Consultant. 

Over three months, bi-weekly, for 2.5 hours, up to 20 participants work in a supportive, collaborative and confidential peer-to-peer learning environment. Together, we learn how to attract, find, secure and negotiate a new role of your choosing. Career Accelerator combines coaching, independent learning, and informal small-group workshops with ‘industry savvy’ information and exercises. 

The programme covers: 

• Identifying your Job Target (Ideal Scenarios & Locations) 
• Target Employers 
• Informational Interviewing 
• Job Search Strategies 
• Networking 
• LinkedIn 
• Twitter 
• CVs & Cover Letters & Application Forms 
• CAR stories 
• Interviews 
• Negotiations 
• Onboarding 

 Some of the materials we will cover in class, others will be made available as independent learning resources. You will have access to a wide range of materials, information and tools to manage your job search and maximise your efforts. 

Career Accelerator has been designed to run online or as a blended resource. 

The next cohort starts on Wednesday 17 May 2023.  Applications close on Wednesday 19th April. 

Places are limited to 20 participants and there is a selection process to ensure that those taking part are those likely to gain the most. 

Please note: the Programme is aimed at researchers who are looking to move to any position, within and beyond academia, but is not suitable for fellowship applicants, so you cannot apply if you are currently in the process of or planning to apply for a fellowship. 

To apply for the next cohort, starting on Wednesday 17 May 2023, complete the Career Accelerator application form by the deadline of Wednesday 19 April.  with a launch event expected to take place in April 2023.  

If you would like to enquire about this programme please email us at  academicdev@leeds.ac.uk.