Career development
The School of Chemistry is committed to supporting the careers of all its staff and students. The following sections contain information about career development for different members of the School.
New members of staff
The University has an excellent set of online induction pages to welcome new staff members to the University. In addition, the University runs regular induction sessions on campus for new members of staff – specific dates can be found in the 'Book a Course' box of CoreHR’s Learning and Development tab.
There are also a variety of benefits available to staff members of the University.
The School of Chemistry has also produced a comprehensive Staff Handbook (PDF, 340 kb) for new staff members to familiarise themselves with processes used throughout the School.
Undergraduate students
The University has a dedicated careers service for students. This provides:
- Advice on CV preparation
- Advice on interview techniques
- Advice on finding jobs and work experience
- Advice on further study
- An ‘Internship Hub’
- Regular careers events and careers fairs
The School of Chemistry offers:
- Information sessions for students interested in PhD study – a great chance to ask current PhD students and academics any questions about life as a researcher in the School
- Nuffield Internships for 2nd and 3rd year students
- EPSRC vacation scholarships for 2nd and 3rd year students
- Hardship bursaries for 4th year MSci students on placements
Additionally, the University’s Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Service (LEADS) can provide a variety of support to undergraduate students, including:
- Writing and study advice
- Writing advice for international students
- Maths and statistics advice
- Writing and editing advice from a Royal Literary Fund Fellow
- An Assessment and Feedback Toolkit to help you understand and make the most of feedback you've received
Postgraduate students
The University has a dedicated careers service for students. This provides:
- Advice on CV preparation
- Advice on interview techniques
- Advice on finding jobs and work experience
- Advice on further study
- An ‘Internship Hub’
- Regular careers events and careers fairs
- A comprehensive careers guide booklet (PDF, 3.42 MB)
- A Careers Manager who can provide specific career development support for PGRs
The School of Chemistry offers:
- ‘Meet the Postdoc’ events where PGR students considering a postdoctoral position can ask current postdocs any questions
- ‘Ask the Academic’ sessions where PGR students considering an academic career can ask current academics any questions
- Informal advice and support relating to academic careers from academic supervisors
- Career planning and personal skills discussions during annual PGR reviews
Research and Innovation Services within the University also offer a variety of training courses, as well as an annual popular Three Minute Thesis competition.
Additionally, the University’s Learning Enhancement and Academic Development Service (LEADS) can provide a variety of support to undergraduate students, including:
- Writing and study advice
- Writing advice for international students
- Maths and statistics advice
- An Assessment and Feedback Toolkit to help you understand and make the most of feedback you’ve received
Postdoctoral researchers
The University offers:
- An Early Career Development Programme
- Research and Innovation Services within the University offer a variety of training courses, as well as an annual popular Glasgow Crucible event and annual Research Staff Conference
- A comprehensive Research Gateway with advice on applying for research funding
- For PDRs who supervise students, a variety of useful supervisory courses are also available
- A Recognising Excellent in Teaching programme for PDRs involved in teaching and supporting learning
- The University’s Careers Service can offer advice and support on PDR career progression
The School offers:
- ‘Ask the Academic’ sessions where PDRs considering an academic career can ask current academics any questions
- Informal advice and support relating to academic careers from academics
- A variety of training courses bookable through CoreHR (see training courses sections later on this page)
- Career planning and personal skills discussions during annual Personal Development Reviews
For postdoctoral researchers within the School, a Postdoctoral Network (PDR Network) has been organised to help with career progression. Meetings are on the first Tuesday of every month and cover topics such as:
- Paper writing
- Fellowship applications
- Career paths
- Job mobility
- Provisions for parental leave
The meetings also often feature invited speakers.
If you are considering applying for promotion or regrading as a PDR, we suggest you discuss this with your line manager and examine the relevant policies and promotion criteria. Annual submissions deadlines are typically in January; the School holds a promotion workshop each December which you are welcome to attend.
For PDRs on fixed-term contracts, the University aims to preserve and maintain staff employment as far as possible. The University has developed a Redeployment Policy and associated Redeployment Register which aims to maintain a staff member’s employment in an alternative, suitable role when their initial fixed-term contract expires.
Academic staff
The University offers:
- An Early Career Development Programme
- A comprehensive Research Gateway with advice on applying for research funding
- Research and Innovation Services within the University offer a variety of training courses, as well as an annual popular Glasgow Crucible event, an annual Research Staff Conference and an annual Learning and Teaching Conference
- For supervisors, a variety of useful supervisory courses are also available
- A Recognising Excellent in Teaching programme for staff involved in teaching and supporting learning
- A Learning Enhancement and Development Service (LEADS) which can provide advice on curriculum design, assessment and feedback, support for technology enhanced learning etc
The School offers:
- Informal advice and support from senior academics
- A variety of training courses bookable through CoreHR (see training courses sections later on this page)
- Career planning and personal skills discussions during annual Personal Development Reviews
If you are considering applying for promotion, we suggest you discuss this with your line manager and examine the relevant policies and promotion criteria. Annual submissions deadlines are typically in January; the School holds a promotion workshop each December to which you are welcome.
For staff on fixed-term contracts, the University aims to preserve and maintain staff employment as far as possible. The University has developed a Redeployment Policy and associated Redeployment Register which aims to maintain a staff member’s employment in an alternative, suitable role when their initial fixed-term contract expires.
Administrative staff
The University offers:
- A Recognising Excellent in Teaching programme for staff involved in teaching and supporting learning
- A Learning Enhancement and Development Service (LEADS) which can provide advice on curriculum design, assessment and feedback, support for technology enhanced learning etc
- An MPA Peer Network for all management, professional and administrative staff
The School offers:
- Informal advice and support from senior colleagues
- A variety of training courses bookable through CoreHR (see training courses sections later on this page)
- Career planning and personal skills discussions during annual Personal Development Reviews
If you are considering applying for regrading, we suggest you discuss this with your line manager and examine the relevant policies and promotion criteria.
For staff on fixed-term contracts, the University aims to preserve and maintain staff employment as far as possible. The University has developed a Redeployment Policy and associated Redeployment Register which aims to maintain a staff member’s employment in an alternative, suitable role when their initial fixed-term contract expires.
Technical and research support staff
The University is a signatory of the Technician Commitment, a UK-wide initiative to ensure visibility, recognition, career development and sustainability for all technicians working in higher education and research across all disciplines. Dr Holly Yu is a School of Chemistry Technician Champion for the Technician Commitment and serves on the Chemistry Self-Assessment Team.
The Technician Commitment has the potential to open up many paths for the career development of technicians. More information on the Technician Commitment and its implementation at Glasgow can be found here, as well as the Technician Commitment Steering Committee’s 2-year action plan (PDF, 200 kb).
In addition to the Technician Commitment, a variety of other career development initiatives are in place across the University.
The University offers:
- A Recognising Excellent in Teaching programme for technical staff involved in teaching and supporting learning
- A comprehensive Research Gateway with advice on applying for research funding
- The University’s Careers Service can offer advice and support on career progression
The School offers:
- Informal advice and support from senior colleagues
- Career planning and personal skills discussions during annual Personal Development Reviews
- A variety of training courses bookable through CoreHR (see training courses sections later on this page)
- Information regarding other, external, training courses (e.g. workshops, training courses held at other universities) will also be passed on as and when they’re on offer by the School’s Head of Technical Services.
If you are considering applying for regrading, we suggest you discuss this with your line manager and examine the relevant policies and promotion criteria.
For staff on fixed-term contracts, the University aims to preserve and maintain staff employment as far as possible. The University has developed a Redeployment Policy and associated Redeployment Register which aims to maintain a staff member’s employment in an alternative, suitable role when their initial fixed-term contract expires.
Fixed-term staff
For staff members on fixed-term contracts, the University aims to preserve and maintain staff employment as far as possible. The University has developed a Redeployment Policy and associated Redeployment Register which aims to maintain a staff member’s employment in an alternative, suitable role when their initial fixed-term contract expires.
Training courses available for staff
The courses detailed in the following sections can be booked through the Learning and Development tab of CoreHR, where additional information on course dates and availability can be found.
Career development courses
- Building a Professional Online Profile
- Developing your Grant Writing Skills
- ECDP - Effective Management of Workload and Self
- Managing Change
- Personal Impact Planning
Researcher development courses
- A Very Short Introduction to Knowledge Exchange Support
- Career Planning
- CVs and Cover Letters
- Getting the First Lecturing Job
- Impact Statements in Grant Applications
- Job Interview Techniques
- Job Seeking Strategies
- Managing your Research Data
- Planning your Research Impact
- Research Integrity (Early Career Researchers / Technicians / Supervisors / PIs)
- Understanding Data Management Plans
Health and safety courses
- Biological & GM Safety
- Chemical Emergencies
- Chemical safety
- Chemical Waste Course
- Clinical Waste Course
- Compressed Gas Safety Course
- Cryogenic Safety Course
- Environmental Safety
- Fire - Area Fire Officer training
- Fire Warden Training
- First Aid - Refresher
- First Aid 3-day
- IOSH Working Safely
- IOSH Managing Safely
- Manual handling
- Special Waste Course
- WEEE Waste Course
- Zurich - Incident investigation
- Zurich - Inspection Regimes
- Zurich - Pressure Systems Regulations
- Zurich - Risk assessment
HR and administrative support courses
- An Introduction to Freedom of Information
- Discipline & Grievance: Conducting an Investigation
- Finance for Non-Financial Managers
- HR System Training for NCS Administrators
- HR System Training: Absence Recording & Monitoring
- HR System Training: Staff & Manager Requests
- Induction to the University of Glasgow
- Introduction to Higher Education
- Ivanti Analyst Training for Student Support Staff
- Ivanti Refresher Course
- Managing Attendance
- Moodle Introduction
- MyCampus: Classes & Attendance
- MyCampus: Enrolment
- MyCampus: Grades & Awards
- MyCampus: Managing Research Students
- Web Publishing with T4