Recruit a postgraduate researcher
Employing those who have continued in education beyond first degree level in order to obtain a higher degree by carrying out independent research, can bring many benefits to an organisation.
Our early career researchers include ‘postgraduate researchers’ (PGRs) who are working towards a higher degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and a smaller number of PGRs aiming for master’s degrees by research and for specialist doctorates in medicine and dentistry. We also have ‘contract research staff’ who have obtained a higher degree within the last ten years and are now working on externally funded research projects in University departments.
Many of our researchers are leading experts in their chosen field, working alongside some of the world’s top academics, and their specialist knowledge and research skills can help you to develop new products or services, enhance quality and productivity or identify new markets.
What can our researchers offer employers?
• Analytical and problem-solving ability - identifying problems and their causes, thinking creatively about possible solutions and testing solutions
• Verbal communication skills – presenting and justifying their findings to critical, expert audiences and explaining their work to audiences of non-specialists.
• Written communication skills –producing academic papers and journal articles to communicate their findings, all subject to critical scrutiny by other researchers before being published.
• Time management - working under pressure to meet deadlines and balancing research time against teaching and administrative commitments.
• Flexibility and adaptability – responding to obstacles, re-thinking approaches when things don’t go to plan and modifying their thinking in response to critical feedback on their work
• Project management skills - planning, prioritising, setting goals and reviewing progress systematically.
• Team working ability – actively collaborating with colleagues based in industry and other universities globally.
• Motivation and self-direction - working without direct supervision, applying a high degree of patience and determination.
• Interpersonal skills - interviewing people in a skilled way in order to obtain information.
How to recruit our researchers
We can help you reach our researchers to promote your organisation and opportunities and you can also help them make informed career choices.
Examples include advertising vacancies suitable for researchers, sharing individual profiles on our blog for researchers, contributing to panel events, presentations and careers fairs, mentoring or offering work shadowing or work experience.
Doctoral Training Programmes can be an effective route to engaging with PhD students. These are funded PhDs (usually 4 years in duration) with the first year dedicated to training. Schemes will vary, but the training year will usually help develop students' research and/or employability skills. You may be able to offer a short-term work placement or internship, research or training as part of these programmes. Please contact our team to find more about the Doctoral Training Partnerships that are available.
To find out more:
Email: careers@sheffield.ac.uk;
Tel: 0114 2220900