To mark postdoc appreciation week 2024, today we are launching our new structured postdoc programme. It follows a consultative exercise that helped us map all support, opportunities and events that we provide to our postdocs and research staff, as well as identify potential for new initiatives.
Some of the elements in our new programme have been available for some time. For example, we run a successful and much appreciated mentoring scheme, through which postdocs are paired with both a senior academic and peers at similar career stages. Teaching opportunities, both in practicals, lecturing and tutorial settings, have also always been available, albeit not always well advertised.
But we are also introducing new initiatives. One area where we realised we could make the most difference is supporting the transition to independence. We are establishing two new initiatives to support our postdocs and research staff keen to develop their career in the direction of applying for independent PI positions. New ‘Pathway to Independence’ grants aim to provide modest but valuable research funding. These pump-priming grants (up to £10k) provide resources to acquire preliminary data and develop independent ideas, as well as help build a grant portfolio, all of which are essential when applying for future funding and faculty positions. Established on a temporary basis as part of our post-COVID career support, after two very successful rounds, we are pleased to announce that this is now a permanent annual scheme.
Leadership skills are also important for those transitioning to more senior roles of any kind. We are therefore focusing on how we can improve our leadership training provision, not just through practical opportunities to develop, but also through structured training.
Our overall message is that the Dunn School takes very seriously its responsibilities to our postdoctoral and research staff. We also recognise that warm words about how much we value them, and wanting to be leaders in this regard, are not sufficient: we need to think hard about how we can do better. Ultimately, we want to provide an exceptional programme of support and opportunities that will allow all our research staff to launch the next step in their career, whether that is in academia or elsewhere. The new Dunn School postdoc programme is a significant step towards that goal.
Dunn School Postdoc Programme
Providing a launching pad for the careers of our postdocs and research staff.
Postdoc and Research Staff Association
The PRSA exists to represent and support all research staff in the Dunn School and is run by a group of volunteers.
Our Research Groups
Over 30 groups work to uncover the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying disease, in a supportive environment with access to state-of-the-art scientific facilities.