This qualification is not currently active. Postdoctoral Researchers who wish to engage with PGCTS courses are asked to contact us about availability.
About the certificate/award
Being a postdoctoral researcher is an exciting but disconcerting time as you have to work a lot of it out yourself. We have created a tool to develop the skills you need for the next step in your career.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Transferable Skills for Postdoctoral Researchers (course code: F1PH) is a 60 CATS certificate composed of a number of modules to help you gain core skills for a career in science.
The Postgraduate Award in Transferable Skills for Postdoctoral Researchers (course code: F1PJ) is a shorter version if you have less time.
Register interest and we can alert you to upcoming events! Registering interest means you want to find out more and you may even start working on the Award or Certificate without formally registering. We do encourage you to register properly as it helps provide a structure for you to develop your career.
Module detail
DC959 (the main module) is one you work on with your mentor in your own time and pace. There are some special modules targeted at postdocs and you can do any of the optional modules designed for PhD students.
Communicating with non-specialists (DC954) module is invaluable for any media communication but also helps to write abstracts, give flash presentations, write manuscripts, etc.
The other course which is particularly valuable to postdocs who want a career in industry or academia an also need to understand commercialisation of research is Business, Innovation and Commercialisation for Researchers (DC957) . It will give you the opportunity to both learn and to try it out.
The PhD modules include two Academic Scientific Writing modules and a course on Decision Making and Leadership. A full listing may be found our our module webpage.
Aims
Increasing research effectiveness
Preparation for future roles as senior scientists and team leaders
Developing skills for the responsibility and leadership of postdoctoral research and exploring these skills in a variety of settings
What?
Research has to be the first priority for our researchers and time is at a premium.
So the modules have been designed to be embedded within normal postdoctoral activities.
Integrated programme
The award logs the work that researchers would do anyway.
Plus the extra skills and wider perspective that employers are looking for, in academia and in other sectors.
No examinations. The work is assessed by a number of short assignments.
Choice
The course works best when tailored to your individual needs.
