Postdoc Academy course timetable

Creativity is a critical part of research, helping people look at old problems in new ways.

In this practical workshop for postdocs, we will explore:

• creativity as a way of operating rather than a talent
• tools and techniques to boost your creative confidence
• how to apply creative thinking to your own research questions.

To get the most out of the session, think of a particular problem or challenge in your research that you would like to work on creatively in the workshop. You might find the breakthrough you’ve been looking for!

About the facilitator: This workshop will be facilitated by Dr Geraint Wyn Story. After completing a PhD in the Department of Plant Sciences at Cambridge, Geraint worked in a biotech company and as a researcher development consultant, before founding his company Cambridge Training Associates.

Would you like to make professional connections with postdocs across the University of Cambridge?

Join our facilitated speed networking event to build your own network and make interdisciplinary connections with fellow researchers around the University.

This session will include:

• advice and guidance on networking
• allocated groups to allow participants to meet each other
• ice-breaker themes and conversation-starters at each networking station
• time to talk afterwards with people you have met during the session.

There will also be the opportunity to have a tour of the Postdoc Centre and information about other Postdoc Academy events and resources.

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:

• explore key principles of negotiation
• identify the difference between asking and negotiating
• gain practical techniques for communicating with influence
• identify the appropriate negotiating style for your context.

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.

As you progress in your career, you will have to navigate the transition from being managed and supervised by others, to taking on leadership of projects and people for the first time.

Using our own experience of leadership, along with discussion and theories, we will look at a variety of aspects of successful leadership within the research and innovation context.

This workshop will provide an opportunity for you to:

• think about your aims in terms of leadership
• take stock of your own leadership attributes and experience
• identify how to further develop your research and innovation leadership potential.

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).

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). This session is for PhD students.

With ever developing complexities in the UK’s immigration system, Graeme Ross, the University’s Head of Immigration for staff matters, conducts termly briefing sessions for non-UK postdocs holding UK visas.

These commonly cover the ‘basic’ work visas, such as Skilled Worker and Global Talent, and how to switch into or extend these in order to remain in the UK.

However additional guidance on applications for dependents and Indefinite Leave to Remain/Settlement is also covered.

There will be an opportunity to ask questions about other immigration matters; not all of these may be answered on the day but would be followed up individually as needed.

In this session, you will learn about:

• The State Pension system in the UK
• Private Pensions in the UK
• The Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS)

The session will be delivered by Head of Group Pensions at the University of Cambridge, and there will be ample opportunity for asking questions.

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).

Do you sometimes feel worn down or worked up? Would you like to develop habits that help you navigate life with greater confidence and happiness?

This course is designed specifically for researchers to explore tools for enhancing self-awareness, managing stress and unwanted thoughts, and embracing enjoyment and positive change.

It provides guided opportunities to think about:

• how we relate to our body, thoughts and feelings
• finding connection with others, nature and time
• practical ways to change our habits and patterns of thinking.

The six workshops explore concepts from various traditions and provide opportunities for focused self-reflection, enhanced using meditation skills.

These skills are for complete beginners and provide new approaches for those with more experience. No previous experience is required.

Do you want to talk with more confidence in meetings and interviews? Or have more impact when speaking in public?

This confidential one-to-one coaching session will help you to:

• refine your presentation skills
• speak more confidently as an emerging leader in your research field
• develop new approaches to your communication in a wide range of professional situations.

You will get constructive feedback on your speaking style, how you come across to others, and how well your ideas are communicated.

Coaching will focus on your individual requirements – these can include practical points about elocution and vocal projection, holding the attention of a room, and structuring a compelling presentation.

Do you sometimes feel worn down or worked up? Would you like to develop habits that help you navigate life with greater confidence and happiness?

This course is designed specifically for researchers to explore tools for enhancing self-awareness, managing stress and unwanted thoughts, and embracing enjoyment and positive change.

It provides guided opportunities to think about:

• how we relate to our body, thoughts and feelings
• finding connection with others, nature and time
• practical ways to change our habits and patterns of thinking.

The six workshops explore concepts from various traditions and provide opportunities for focused self-reflection, enhanced using meditation skills.

These skills are for complete beginners and provide new approaches for those with more experience. No previous experience is required.

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). This session is for PhD students.

Do you sometimes feel worn down or worked up? Would you like to develop habits that help you navigate life with greater confidence and happiness?

This course is designed specifically for researchers to explore tools for enhancing self-awareness, managing stress and unwanted thoughts, and embracing enjoyment and positive change.

It provides guided opportunities to think about:

• how we relate to our body, thoughts and feelings
• finding connection with others, nature and time
• practical ways to change our habits and patterns of thinking.

The six workshops explore concepts from various traditions and provide opportunities for focused self-reflection, enhanced using meditation skills.

These skills are for complete beginners and provide new approaches for those with more experience. No previous experience is required.

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).

Do you sometimes feel worn down or worked up? Would you like to develop habits that help you navigate life with greater confidence and happiness?

This course is designed specifically for researchers to explore tools for enhancing self-awareness, managing stress and unwanted thoughts, and embracing enjoyment and positive change.

It provides guided opportunities to think about:

• how we relate to our body, thoughts and feelings
• finding connection with others, nature and time
• practical ways to change our habits and patterns of thinking.

The six workshops explore concepts from various traditions and provide opportunities for focused self-reflection, enhanced using meditation skills.

These skills are for complete beginners and provide new approaches for those with more experience. No previous experience is required.