Supporting
researchers

We run a year-round programme of training and events to help you complete your doctorate and prepare for your future career.

The PGR training is organised around the three main phases of the research degree: beginning; middle; and completing the doctorate. Our tailored programme ranges from the doctoral induction, research methods and tools, research ethics, research management, public engagement and impact from research.

We also hold lots of other research-focused events that PGR students are invited to attend, such as:

• The PGR Student Conference
• The Annual University Research and Knowledge Exchange Conference
• Research cafés
• Professorial Inaugural Lectures
• The Annual University Professorial Council event
• PGR networking events
• Events organised by the colleges, such as research seminars

Our PGR students also participate in the East Midlands Doctoral Network (EMDoc), enter the Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition and have the opportunity to become a member of our PGR Network on Twitter.

Our PGR Development Fund supports students in their research development. If you are eligible, you can apply for funding to support a wide variety of purposes, such as attending training events or conferences. We make funds available at different points throughout the academic year and award them on a competitive basis.

We have careers advice available for our postgraduate research students through our Careers and Employment Service.

Whether your desired career is here at the University of Derby or elsewhere, in your current field or something different, we are committed to giving you impartial and independent career development and employability support, advice and guidance.

For example, we can help you to:

• Research your career options, plan and prepare for a transition
• Find the most relevant, up-to-date careers information
• Use a wide range of career planning tools
• Explore options for your next step
• Receive end-of-contract careers advice
• Offer business support programmes for self-employment or business start-up
• One to one appointments, face-to-face or via Microsoft Teams, can be booked on the Careers website (login required)

As well as having access to the University’s full range of student support and clubs and societies, our international students can also receive specific support from our International Student Centre. We also offer our students a free course on Academic English Language that is tailored specifically to their needs.

The University's Research and Knowledge Exchange Office (URKEO) can help you navigate the research funding landscape and gain advice on appropriate internal and external funding opportunities. We can also support your research in identifying career-stage specific opportunities, including our Early-Career Researchers Development Fund.

This fund enables you to apply for additional funding to support your professional development. For example, you could ask for funding to help pay for hosting or attending events or conferences, research consumables, or travel.

As an applied university, we’ll encourage you to use your research to make a positive impact on the industry, the public services, or the wider society. We have a dedicated Impact Officer Team who can work with you to help identify ways to embed impact from the very outset of research projects, evaluation evidence and the safe storage of impact evidence.

The University will also help you make any submissions to the Research Excellence Framework (REF): the system for assessing the quality of research in UK higher education institutions.

This forum aims to encourage shared learning across colleges, research centres and academic disciplines and aims to stimulate collaboration between our ECRs. It runs a range of workshops (at least once per term) to support your professional development; these will generally address the common challenges that ECRs experience and develop your research skills.

The forum also gives ECRs a voice within the University Professorial Council and other University committees. This means that ECRs get the opportunity to input into wider University strategic planning, which is particularly beneficial if you aspire to become an Associate Professor.

Through this mentoring scheme, you can receive support and guidance on your research objectives from a senior member of staff. You will meet regularly to reflect on your work and progress, in a way that matches your personal requirements.

ECRs at the University have the opportunity to join the British Academy Early-Career Researcher Network which will support UK-based post-doctoral research in the humanities and social sciences. The network will support career development through opportunities to strengthen skills and networks and will offer additional experience.