Introductory description

This module is part of the Advanced researcher stream of the Postgraduate Certificate in Transferable Skills in Science for postdoctoral researchers. The teaching of transferable skills should be implicit in the structure and funding of the training provided to postdoctoral researchers. Thus, as far as possible, skills training is provided in the context of the research being carried out by the researcher. Consequently it is intended that the learning objectives of this module will be achieved largely through participation in the regular programme of activities of the researcher. The optional modules each contain a stand-alone activity specifically for that module supplemented by prescribed follow-up activities and augmented by additional training embedded in the day-to-day activities of the researcher. Because of the nature of the learning process, there is no set time-scale during which the material has to be covered, but it is hoped that a researcher taking the full Certificate will complete half of the module within a year. All researchers are required to complete this module within the period during which they are employed at Warwick, unless the Examination Board approves a different progression rate.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

The syllabus below indicates competence required. Evidence to be collected for each item must be agreed with Course Director or their representative. The CATS weighting of the activities below will depend on which activities are chosen to be major and which minor. The total must be 30 for the PG certificate. A copy of the researcher’s training record and the associated portfolio of evidence must be kept up to date. The syllabus may be varied with the agreement of the Module Leader. All of the tasks listed below should be undertaken with a more senior academic monitoring the task as it progresses. In each case you should comment on the positive and negatives outcomes of the task for your career.

CH959 (30 CATS) is a module including most of the non-technical skills post doctoral researchers are expected to acquire. The researcher will need to nominate a mentor (or perhaps mentors) to guide them through each ‘task’ and sign it off at the end. The list of tasks with their CATS scores is given below. The difference between ‘minor’ and ‘major’ is outlined on the paperwork for each task.

CH959 (30 CATS) requires at least 18 tasks (minimum 12 tasks as major options)
Task Number Task Name Minor Major
1 Literature review 1 2
2 Research plan 1
3 Mini reports 1
4 Attend a conference 1 2
5 Conference Presentation 1 2
6 Research seminar 1
7 Undertake Poster Marking/Presentation 1
8 Review a paper 1
9 Review a grant 1
10 Write a paper 1
11 Propose and manage a budget 1
12 Organising a conference or workshop 1 2
13 Visit another laboratory 1 2
14 Host a visiting researcher 1 2
15 Supervise a project student 1 2
16 Write a research proposal 1 2
17 Chair a meeting or committee including establishing agenda and follow-up 1 2
18 Public Engagement in Science Activity 1 2
19 CV/Applications 1
20 Teaching 1 2
21 Play a role in a national society 1 2
22 Pathways to impact plan 1
23 Optional Task 1 1
24 Optional Task 2 1

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Plan one’s research ; to write clearly at a technical level .
• Understand the processes for funding and evaluation of research .
• Set up and maintain communications with contacts in industrial and overseas academic laboratories .
• Play a significant role in the planning and running of a scientific meeting.
• Supervise junior colleagues
• To manage colleagues and research programmes
• Continuing professional development
• Career management

Interdisciplinary

Communicating and working across disciplines with module participants from different SEM departments

Subject specific skills

N/A

Transferable skills

1. Write a research proposal
2. Visit another laboratory or research group to undertake as aspect of your research
3. Host a visiting researcher
4. Play national role is a national society
5. Participate in the planning and running of the programme for a scientific meeting and of the logistics of such an event
6. Supervise a project student
7. Write a research proposal
8. Chair a meeting
9. Comment on the positive and negatives aspects of each task on their career