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School of Chemistry

Staff development and support

We strongly support our staff to achieve their full potential, and encourage all staff - regardless of grade or career pathway - to take advantage of a wide range of training for both their professional and personal development.

We run several schemes to promote staff development:

  • A mandatory Leadership and Management training course for senior staff (including Professors and senior line managers), completed by all senior staff at the School.
  • An Academic Practice training programme for early career researchers, leading to Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
  • An annual performance development review (PDR) is undertaken by all our staff and they receive regular guidance and support for career progression.
  • Training courses for all staff applying for research funding as well as a grant application peer-review scheme, offering valuable feedback.

Early career researchers

A wealth of support for early career researchers is provided to help them to establish themselves in their role, source funding and develop career opportunities.

This support includes:

  • mentoring
  • access to our library of grant applications
  • giving guest lectures
  • supporting the organising of modules
  • becoming involved in leadership and research strategy
  • support for fellowship applications
  • mock interviews
  • start-up funding.

Post-doctoral research assistants

The School also takes a proactive role in supporting the long-term career aspirations of post-doctoral research assistants. We provide the opportunity to develop further academic skills, by assisting in undergraduate workshops, laboratory-based classes and through our post-doctorate lecture programme.

Both early career researchers and post-doctoral research assistants are also able to participate in committees within the School, in a deputy capacity, principally to learn about the role and gain experience of academic management duties.

Research leave and flexible working

We run an ongoing University Research Leave scheme (6-12 months) which is available to all academic staff.

The Cardiff Disglair Lectureship Scheme facilitates longer periods of research leave, alongside funding postdoctoral researchers transitioning into their first teaching and research position.

Applications for flexible working arrangements are encouraged and supported in our School, and we operate a comprehensive Returners Support scheme to assist staff returning after extended leave