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A series of careers-themed events specifically for postdocs, using former postdocs, who have made various career transitions, as positive role models.

A 2 x ½ day compulsory Introductory session for all new graduate students emphasises the importance of transferable skills training and provides an introduction to the nature of Research Degrees, the Cambridge University system, scientific ethics, enterprise and IP. It includes a wide range of speakers from Academia and Industry, with an aim to introduce at least two academic research names and one external business celebrity that the students will have heard of before arrival in Cambridge.

A new post (August 2009) offering careers guidance and information to research staff and fellows across the School of Arts & Humanities and the School of the Humanities and Social Sciences at Cambridge University (= 39 Faculties and Departments, c. 450 potential clients). Staffed by a careers adviser (0.5 FTE) and PA (0.4 FTE).

A 2 hour interactive workshop for science and technology postgraduates in the final stages of their PhD, to help them decide whether a postdoc is the right career move for them.

A collaborative training activity delivered by representatives from the Graduate Development Programme and the Research Office at the University of Cambridge, targeted at a key transition point in researcher development from postgraduate to postdoctoral level.

In this 3 hour session, we invited an expert panel comprising journal editors, funders, academics, journalist and a science communication charity to discuss peer review with our PhD students and postdoc - looking at peer review from the academic community’s point of view and how the public gauges if scientific evidence is robust or not.

The event exposed the diversity of long term permanent academic roles that are available to postdocs which we believe is an area that is under explored.

The Researcher Development Programme delivers a range of themed sessions and supervisor-led activities designed to support researchers' skills development, increase their personal effectiveness and provide advice on planning and managing their careers.