Supporting the development of research staff in line with their ambitions

The PFDC provides advice, personal and professional development sessions and resources for research staff, complementing the research skills development provided by departments and research networks.

PFDC Strategic Actions 

Current:

• Enabling research staff to take ownership of their development, including use of their 10 development days.
• Providing personal and professional development opportunities for research staff.
• Providing bespoke tailored individual support for researchers.
• Supporting leadership and management development through coaching and networks for independent research fellows.
• Curating and disseminating external opportunities for a diverse range of personal and professional development (mentoring programmes, participation in high-profile conferences and pilot training programmes).
• Providing individual funds to foster research staff careers (research and innovation).
• Providing training and resource formats that are more inclusive and accessible.
• Providing and promoting activities and resources focussed on research staff wellbeing and mental health.
• Supporting external organisations hosting fellowships at Imperial.
• Supporting transitions into any career paths (in academia and beyond).
• Promoting awards for recognition of work beyond their contributions to research (esteem measures).
• Supporting managers of researchers (which can be research staff) in their leadership and management skills, and providing resources to guide them through developmental conversations with their teams (such as 10 development days, career conversations, Annual Review Conversations)

Future: 

• Ensure that research staff and other stakeholders are aware of our service and the range of strategic and career support opportunities we offer.
• Improve uptake of the 10 development days.
• Provide stronger support through transition periods (points of entry and points of exit).
• Drive researcher development innovation, remaining ahead of the researcher development community in the Higher Education sector.
• Building on current contacts and databases, drive a network of alumni to support current postdocs/PhDs in their career search and showcase the diversity of roles where researchers work.
• Support long-term researchers with a dedicated programme of activities.