Your Development Entitlement
As a member of the University’s Contract Researcher community, you are entitled to have time to develop your research identity and broader leadership skills. As a signatory to the Concordat, the University has committed to ensuring that Contract Researchers are allocated a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata time, which should also include wider professional and personal skills, that may not be solely linked to your current project (e.g. Networking, grant writing and presenting). This could include activities such as:
- Self-directed learning
- Conferences
- Taking part in a mentoring scheme (as mentor or mentee)
- Public engagement
- Knowledge exchange activities
- Attending a training course, workshop or webinar - view the Research and Innovation Staff Development Programme training calendar. Book directly onto courses and workshops.
Please discuss this entitlement with your line manager and build them into your work plans.
End of Contract Guidance
6-12 Months prior to your project end (depending on project length), it is recommended that you meet with your line manager to discuss any opportunities open to you internally. These discussions should take place at regular intervals leading to the project end.
Close to the project end date, you should be invited to a project closure meeting with your line manager. Guidance and documentation is available on the HR webpages. There is an institutional template for exit interviews but we have also developed a ‘research staff specific’ set of questions that can be used/adapted alongside the institutional template.
*NB - As employment contracts and entitlements can vary based on individual circumstances, please contact HR directly to receive the most relevant and up-to-date advice.
Useful Documents
- End of Fixed-Term Contract Policy
- Redeployment Policy - awaiting a new one to be published