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Postdoc Academy Training

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Postdoc Academy course timetable

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Tue 10 Oct 2023 – Thu 14 Dec 2023

October 2023

Tue 10	Postdoc Academy Masterclass: Introduction to Lean Finished 10:30 - 12:00 Online This short, interactive session will introduce the fundamental principles of Lean - a methodology which prioritises continuous improvement and respect for people. Lean is a philosophy and way of working which removes waste from activities and ensures that emphasis is given to tasks that provide added value. Originally developed by Toyota, it is now widely used across many sectors including the NHS and Higher Education. During this masterclass for postdocs, you will: gain a high-level understanding of continuous improvement tools and techniques, and how you can apply them develop skills to identify and remove waste in your day-to-day activities to become more effective and efficient.
Wed 11	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 10:00 - 12:00 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).
	Pensions Explained for Postdocs Finished 12:30 - 14:00 Postdoc Centre @ Biomedical Campus, Newman Library In this session, you will learn about: The State Pension system in the UK Private Pensions in the UK The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) The session will be delivered by Head of Group Pensions at the University of Cambridge, and there will be ample opportunity for asking questions.
Thu 12	Mid-Contract Check-In for Postdocs Finished 12:30 - 14:30 Online PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this event is now closed. This event is for postdocs near the mid-point of their current contract at Cambridge and has been designed specifically for this key career stage to help you position yourself for the next step in your career (in academia or otherwise). This interactive online session will cover: What next - reflecting on your professional development and identifying what you would like to achieve during the rest of your contract. How could you get there - sharing ideas for how to achieve your development goals, focus on key professional development topics, and where to find information and support across the University. Action planning - gain tools to ensure you know when and how to take the next steps during your remaining time as a postdoc. Q&A - informal discussion with the facilitators and other participants. Please also complete this form when you make a booking so that we can tailor the session to suit the needs of participants. Your booking will be approved upon our receipt of this form. PLEASE NOTE: Registration for this event is now closed.
Wed 18	Postdoc Academy Masterclass: Developing Your Research Vision Finished 14:00 - 15:30 Online This short, interactive workshop will introduce you to practical tools that will help you test and refine how you are articulating your research vision. We will not generate ideas for new research projects in the session but, rather, explore what makes a potential research topic compelling. We will also explore how you can assess whether your ideas add up to a vision that is bold, exciting, coherent, and – hopefully – fundable. This session would benefit researchers at the initial stages of developing a proposal for funding, and may work well as preparation for one of our sessions on Writing Fellowship Grants with Impact. We will not review specific funding schemes or application materials in this workshop.
Thu 19	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 14:00 - 16:00 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).
Fri 20	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 10:00 - 12:30 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).
Thu 26	Postdoc Academy Workshop: What is Research Leadership? Finished 14:00 - 16:30 Postdoc Centre @ Eddington, Sanders Hall As you progress in your career, you will have to navigate the transition from being managed and supervised by others, to taking on leadership of projects and people for the first time. Using our own experience of leadership, along with discussion and theories, we will look at a variety of aspects of successful leadership within the research and innovation context. This workshop will provide an opportunity for you to: think about your aims in terms of leadership take stock of your own leadership attributes and experience identify how to further develop your research and innovation leadership potential.
Tue 31	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 10:00 - 12:00 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).

November 2023

Thu 2	Immigration Info Session for Postdocs Finished 12:30 - 14:30 Postdoc Centre @ Eddington, Sanders Hall With ever developing complexities in the UK’s immigration system, Graeme Ross, the University’s Head of Immigration for staff matters, conducts termly briefing sessions for non-UK postdocs holding UK visas. These commonly cover the ‘basic’ work visas, such as Skilled Worker and Global Talent, and how to switch into or extend these in order to remain in the UK. However additional guidance on applications for dependents and Indefinite Leave to Remain/Settlement is also covered. There will be an opportunity to ask questions about other immigration matters; not all of these may be answered on the day but would be followed up individually as needed.
	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 14:00 - 16:00 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).
Mon 6	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 10:00 - 12:00 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).
Tue 7	Postdoc Academy Masterclass: Writing Fellowship Grants with Impact Finished 14:00 - 15:30 Online In the increasingly competitive field of fellowship funding, your applications need to stand out immediately. During this online masterclass for early career researchers, you'll learn key considerations for preparing a strong fellowship application.  The session will explore: desirability, feasibility and viability what’s important to the funder elements of successful applications how to plan for impact. It will consist of a 60-minute talk, followed by 30 minutes for you to ask questions.
Thu 9	Postdoc Academy Masterclass: Master Time and Focus Finished 15:00 - 16:00 Online Would you like to focus better on the work that is important to you? Do you find you have too many distractions and struggle to prioritise? In this 1-hour online session, you will learn techniques to help you: enhance your focus on your most important work reduce distraction and prioritise more effectively establish daily habits to relieve stress, reduce self-criticism and strengthen resilience create space to recognise your achievements each day. The session is followed by a 4-day Nudge Course. This provides one technique per day to help you convert the techniques you’ve learned into useful habits. For 48 hours following the session, you will also have the opportunity to contact Joy, a mental health nurse with over 40 years’ experience. Joy will offer a confidential listening ear and signpost you to further support.
Wed 15	Postdoc Welcome Event Finished 11:00 - 12:00 Online A must-attend virtual session with information tailored to postdocs in Cambridge, whether University-based or employed by Colleges or Research Institutions. At this event, you will be given information about: Your contract Professional development and the Careers Service How to connect to the wider postdoc community at Cambridge You will also meet representatives from various University services who may be helpful to you while you are working in Cambridge.
Thu 16	Postdoc Academy Workshop: Introduction to Entrepreneurial Skills for all Researchers Finished 10:30 - 12:30 Postdoc Centre @ Eddington, Sanders Hall Funders of academic research and employers of researchers are increasingly valuing individuals with entrepreneurial spirit and a broader set of skills that can be used to innovate and create impact from research. Researchers with these skills are at an advantage when applying for permanent academic positions, securing research funding, or pursuing commercialisation opportunities. This interactive session will introduce you to: what an entrepreneurial mindset is and how all researchers can adopt and develop this to pursue their interests the frameworks and tools that are used in the startup world to create compelling business opportunities how you can adapt these to support innovative research, create impact, and secure grant or fellowship funding how to create your personal "elevator pitch" to introduce yourself and create new opportunities at networking events or to future employers.
	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 14:00 - 16:00 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).
Fri 24	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 10:00 - 12:30 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).
Tue 28	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 10:00 - 12:00 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).
	Postdoc Academy Masterclass: Mini Restorative Excellence Finished 12:00 - 12:30 Online Are your breaks average or excellent? Join this 30-minute session to: learn the science behind which type of breaks optimise mental performance and stress management identify your biggest barriers to taking effective breaks and how to overcome them plan a week of daily restorative breaks tailored to your routine and work habits The science is clear - restorative breaks make it significantly easier to focus, manage your workload and recover from stress. PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the facilitator's Zoom registration form to access your personalised meeting link. See joining instructions for further details.
Thu 30	Postdocs: WriteFest Narrative CV Writing Retreat Finished 14:00 - 17:00 Postdoc Centre@ Mill Lane, Eastwood Room Have you heard of the new 'Narrative CV' structure? Funders are increasingly using it in their calls, and you may begin to notice it in job recruitment, too. If you have not worked with this format before, or if you have but feel there is room to improve, this workshop is for you. We will: discuss what to put in each section help you develop your writing style introduce various tools and approaches to deal with the block of a blank page work with peers to help shape a successful narrative. Crucially, you will leave this writing retreat having started an initial draft that you can polish and use for future applications.

December 2023

Thu 7	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 14:00 - 16:00 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).
Fri 8	Postdoc Academy Masterclass: Negotiation and Influencing Skills Finished 10:30 - 12:00 Online Do you know when it is appropriate to negotiate, and how to do this effectively? Would you like to improve your skills in communicating with influence? This interactive session will introduce you to key principles of influencing and negotiation that can be applied in workplace situations. In this 90-minute session, you will: explore key principles of negotiation identify the difference between asking and negotiating gain practical techniques for communicating with influence identify the appropriate negotiating style for your context. You will have the opportunity to practice some of these skills in the session. To make the most of this session, we recommend that you come prepared to participate in discussions and activities.
Mon 11	Postdoc Academy Masterclass: Mini Recharge and Refocus Finished 15:00 - 15:30 Online How much could a high quality break help you recharge, reduce stress, and improve your focus? During this 30-minute session, you will: join a 5-minute guided Mini Mindfulness practice - recharge your mind plan a 'Deep Work' focus hour for this week - protect time for quality focus plan a high quality restorative break for the next 24 hours - find valuable perspective. PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the facilitator's Zoom registration form to access your personalised meeting link. See joining instructions for further details.
Thu 14	Virtual Writing Retreats Finished 14:00 - 16:00 Online Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session).