Postdoc Academy course timetable
February 2025
Thu 20 |
How can you make your research proposition stand out in a competitive funding landscape? In the business and start up world, the Business Model Canvas tool is used to help companies work out how they will create, deliver and capture value. The research canvas is an adaptation of this and helps researchers plan and present their case for applying for research funding. In this workshop, you will learn to use the Research Canvas. You will also have the opportunity to submit your research canvas after the workshop for personalised feedback. This workshop will:
This session will run again in Easter Term. If you would like to be notified of future iterations of this session, please add yourself to the waitlist or register your interest. Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
Fri 21 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process of importing the course appointment to your calendar. |
Tue 25 |
Join fellow academics for an engaging session that will elevate your ability to think critically and navigate challenging decision making in academia with confidence. Learn practical strategies to analyse complex problems, confidently make sound decisions, and enhance your research impact. The workshop will employ logical thinking practice and bring to light common thinking fallacies and assumptions that can undermine quality decision making. We will focus on three key areas:
Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the course to your calendar. |
Wed 26 |
How can we establish one boundary today to make work and life easier? In this mini 30-min session, we will:
55% of workers feel that work is getting more intense and demanding, 61% of workers say they feel exhausted at the end of most working days - MHFA PLEASE NOTE: You must complete the facilitator's Zoom registration form to access your personalised meeting link. See joining instructions for further details. Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
Thu 27 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
Postdoc Groups Series
![]() Meet with postdocs, academics and those who support postdocs from a range of departments, to share best practice of postdoc support, learn what others are doing, and identify improvements and future activities. We will be hosting three sessions throughout the academic year. This session will:
Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
|
Do you find it difficult to stay on track in the pursuit of your career aspirations? Or would you like to improve your ability to set achievable goals? This session will give you protected time, space and support to develop your goals. The first 15 minutes of this session will be spent introducing the SMART technique and talking through some worked examples. If you are already familiar with the SMART technique, please feel free to join after this point. In this one-hour interactive masterclass, you will:
By the end of this session, you should have developed at least one goal that will lead to progress within your overall career plan and strategies for holding yourself accountable. This session will run again in Lent and Easter Terms. If you would like to be notified of future iterations of this session, please add yourself to the waitlist or register your interest. Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
|
Fri 28 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process of importing the course appointment to your calendar. |
March 2025
Thu 6 |
This masterclass will introduce you to a range of core project management principles which you can apply within your research projects to more effectively plan and monitor your activities. In this 3-hour online session, you will:
This session will run again in Easter Term. If you would like to be notified of future iterations of this session, please add yourself to the waitlist or register your interest. Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
|
Tue 11 |
This workshop offers a practical guide to communicating research to the broadest possible audiences via the mainstream media. Sarah Collins and Jacqueline Garget from the University’s Research Communications team will take you behind the scenes of the processes and tactics used to get University research reported nationally and internationally in newspapers, online news sites, radio and TV - from identifying a potential news story, to responding to emerging coverage. We will cover:
The session will include practical tasks as well as an opportunity to ask questions and share experiences. It will be co-hosted by CCTL and the Postdoc Academy. Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
Wed 12 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process of importing the course appointment to your calendar. |
Fri 14 |
Do you know when it is appropriate to negotiate, and how to do this effectively? Would you like to improve your skills in communicating with influence? This interactive session will introduce you to key principles of influencing and negotiation that can be applied in workplace situations. In this 90-minute session, you will:
You will have the opportunity to practice some of these skills in the session. To make the most of this session, we recommend that you come prepared to participate in discussions and activities. Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
Mon 17 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process of importing the course appointment to your calendar. |
Thu 20 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process of importing the course appointment to your calendar. |
Mon 24 |
Postdoc Welcome Event
[Places]
The Postdoc Academy provides welcome events specific to postdocs joining the University of Cambridge - these are open to postdocs affiliated with the University, Colleges and University Partner Institutes. These sessions include presentations from the Postdoc Academy, PdOC and Careers Service, followed by a Q&A and then networking. You will be given information on how to navigate life as a researcher in Cambridge and then have the opportunity to network with other new postdocs and University services. During the session, postdocs will learn about:
Please note: it is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. If you have any questions or problems with signing-up, please email events.pda@admin.cam.ac.uk. |
Tue 25 |
How can developing intercultural competence and embracing diverse perspectives increase psychological safety and therefore drive results? In today's diverse workplaces, speaking the same language is just the beginning. Our cultural backgrounds profoundly shape how we connect, collaborate and influence, impacting team performance. This session will explore the vital role of intercultural competence in inclusive leadership. It will help you understand:
Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
Wed 26 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process of importing the course appointment to your calendar. |
Thu 27 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process of importing the course appointment to your calendar. |
Fri 28 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process of importing the course appointment to your calendar. |
Mon 31 |
Postdoc Academy Open Hour
![]() These informal sessions give you the opportunity to talk to members of the Postdoc Academy, helping you to figure out how you can begin interacting with us and the wider University community. There will be the opportunity to ask questions within the small group or speak to us one-to-one. These sessions provide:
Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
April 2025
Tue 1 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: It is important that when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, click on Add to Calendar to start the process of importing the course appointment to your calendar. |
Wed 2 |
Are you able to express yourself clearly and appropriately so you can ask for what you want and be heard? Do you find yourself saying ‘yes’ to others but ‘no’ to yourself? Or perhaps you feel as though you have to shout at others to get things done? Join us to explore what assertiveness looks and sounds like, and have the opportunity to practice. This interactive workshop will give you the opportunity to:
You will also have access to additional tools and resources if you want to extend your learning and practice beyond what is covered on the day. Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
Thu 3 |
Virtual Writing Retreats
[Places]
Do you have a deadline coming up or a piece of writing that’s long overdue? Or maybe some data analysis that keeps slipping to the bottom of your to-do list? Our online retreats give you time, peace, and space to think and write. Each session will provide a friendly and constructive environment in which to meet like-minded peers, discuss challenges, and work in a focused way using the Pomodoro technique. These virtual retreats are being hosted collaboratively across several institutions to encourage researchers across career stages and institutions to come together in a sustainable writing environment. The retreats will take place several times per month throughout the academic year and you can attend as many as you like (within booking limits for each session). Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |
Wed 9 |
This short, interactive workshop will introduce you to practical tools that will help you test and refine how you are articulating your research vision. We will not generate ideas for new research projects in the session but, rather, explore what makes a potential research topic compelling. We will also explore how you can assess whether your ideas add up to a vision that is bold, exciting, coherent, and – hopefully – fundable. This session would benefit researchers at the initial stages of developing a proposal for funding, and may work well as preparation for one of our sessions on Writing Fellowship Grants with Impact. We will not review specific funding schemes or application materials in this workshop. Please note: when you book this course, on the booking confirmation page, select Add to Calendar to start importing the appointment to your calendar. |