Develop with us
We actively support our researchers to develop personally and professionally, and to grow their careers.
We offer an extensive programme of in-person and online development sessions throughout the academic year, providing flexible and accessible opportunities to engage. These sessions are complemented by one-to-one support in the form of coaching and mentoring, and a range of on-demand, self-directed online courses and guides.
We recognise that researcher development is a shared endeavour that strengthens both individual careers and the wider research environment, so our tailored support is available for Postgraduate Researchers (PGRs), research colleagues, Research Fellows, Supervisors and Principle Investigators (PIs).
Development opportunities
Development opportunities for PGRs include structured workshops supporting key stages of your journey, from Starting Postgraduate Research and Planning and Writing Your Thesis, to Preparing for your Viva, alongside training in core research skills such as literature review and research presentations.
Our PGRs can also access project, time and self‑management support. Personal development workshops support you in building confidence and resilience, while dedicated PGR events, including the annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition and Postgraduate Research Festival, support a sense of belonging to our wider research community.
Our research colleagues are supported through management and leadership courses, communication and collaboration workshops, and sessions focused on knowledge transfer and public impact. Colleagues can also access support for fellowship and grant applications, promotions and one‑to‑one Career Consultation appointments. This offer is complemented by access to the Prosper career‑development programme and online portal, alongside a dedicated career‑development programme for research staff from the global majority.
You’ll also find development support including Monthly Career Conversations, bringing researchers together with alumni working across a range of industries and sectors, and opportunities to network at regular Researcher Development Seminars. In addition, you can access the short but impactful Career Hacks online series for support with job applications, interviews, CVs and LinkedIn, and dedicated career‑development resources for disabled researchers.
Supervisors and PIs are supported through dedicated development opportunities that strengthen inclusive supervision, leadership capability and effective career conversations, recognising their critical role in creating positive research cultures.
Current researchers can find out more about the comprehensive range of development opportunities available for researchers of all levels, including research fellows, PGR supervisors and PIs, by visiting the Researcher Development website.
The researcher development team work collaboratively with additional specialist training colleagues across the University to provide an integrated package of support:
Our commitment to researcher development
We view researcher development as a partnership between the University, managers and researchers themselves.
Our Statement of Expectations on the Career Development of Researchers (PDF, 565KB) sets out shared responsibilities and encourages research staff to engage in a minimum of ten days professional development activity and to use their annual performance and development review to identify their development needs.
As a PGR, you’ll complete a Development Needs Analysis annually, enabling you to identify gaps and opportunities for development and to develop a personal training and development plan through discussion with your supervisors.
We encourage colleagues to make use of the Researcher Development Framework as a tool to map and guide career development, giving structure and progression to development, and tailoring training and development programmes as appropriate.
Recognising our researchers
Researchers make a significant contribution to the strategic ambitions of the University and this role is recognised in a range of ways.
- The University is a signatory to the Researcher Development Concordat committed to creating an environment in which all researchers can thrive.
- The Research Staff Excellence Awards and Manchester Doctoral College awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievement, impact and successes of our researchers.
- Funding opportunities are available for PGRs to travel to conferences, to take advantage of external development opportunities, to showcase their research, or to create networks to enhance the PGR community.
- The Research Staff Dissemination and Collaboration Funds provide opportunities for researchers to network, disseminate and communicate their research and establish new collaborations.
- The Research Staff Promotions track ensures researchers also have the opportunity to secure promotion.
- PGRs are the lifeblood of our research community, generating significant contribution to research knowledge and outputs and enhancing the University’s reputation, research excellence, impact and societal engagement.
Investing in you and your next steps
Our comprehensive investments have helped us not only to employ the best researchers through our flagship Presidential Fellows programme, but also to nurture and expand their career progression.
In addition to the Presidential Fellows programme, our investments include providing dedicated support for research fellowship and research grant applications and hosting externally funded fellowships.