Are you a Cambridge postdoc looking to gain valuable teaching experience? Are you interested in designing and delivering researcher development workshops for PhD students?
"Researcher Development" (RD) encompasses all the learning and development that equips PhD students with the skills needed to successfully complete their research degree and prepare them for their future careers. The core RD programme is coordinated by the Researcher Development Team and offers workshops and activities open to all PhD students on themes such as writing, presenting and managing your research. We would like to enhance this provision with more discipline-specific offerings, while providing opportunities for postdocs to gain teaching experience.
This new programme, being piloted in 2023-24, will see us working with postdocs as partners to support and train you in developing RD workshops within your departments and subject areas.
The Researcher Development Fellows Programme (RDFP) is an excellent opportunity to gain paid classroom teaching experience through designing and delivering RD workshops for PhD students. This pilot year we have a small number of funded places available which are open to Cambridge postdocs with limited teaching experience.
Participation and experience gained in the programme will form the basis of an application for becoming an "Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy" through the Cambridge Recognition Scheme. As a participant on the RDFP, you will have a guaranteed place on the Cambridge Recognition Scheme and will attend a series of three workshops designed to support you in drafting a successful application for Associate Fellowship (D1).
What does the programme involve?
The RDFP takes place over the Lent and Easter Terms and features a degree of flexibility so that participants can plan the work around their research commitments. The programme comprises:
- three RDFP workshops providing a practical introduction to designing and facilitating interactive teaching
- an observation of one of our core programme workshops
- a one-to-one tutorial
- design and delivery of your own workshop (twice; this work is paid)
- three further workshops to support you in drafting your application for Associate Fellowship of the HEA
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for the RDFP, you must:
- Be a postdoc at the University of Cambridge or a University Partner Institute
- Have at least 12 months left on your contract
- Commit to attending the programme dates listed below, and to design and deliver an agreed workshops for students
For this pilot, we are working with the Schools of Technology and of Humanities & Social Sciences. If you are not affiliated with one of these two Schools but are interested in the programme, please complete the Expression of Interest form linked further down so that we can keep you informed about future cycles.
What are the key dates?
| Workshop | Date |
|---|---|
| RDFP Workshop 1 | Friday 16 February, 10am-1pm |
| RDFP Workshop 2 | Tuesday 26 March, 10am-1pm |
| Recognition Scheme Workshop 1 | Monday 15 April, 2-5pm |
| Recognition Scheme Workshop 2 | Friday 10 May, 2-5pm |
| Recognition Scheme Workshop 3 | Friday 31 May, 2-5pm |
| RDFP Workshop 3 | Wednesday 12 June, 10am-12pm |
| Associate Fellowship Application Deadline | Thursday 20 June |
In addition, you will need to schedule an observation of one of our RD workshops, have a tutorial, and deliver the workshop you design twice, in April and/or May.
How do I apply for the programme?
Applications for 2023-24 are now closed
- Application deadline: 8am Monday 29 January 2024
- Decisions announced: week commencing 5 February 2024
- Confirmation of acceptance requested: by 4pm Friday 9 February 2024
If you have any questions about the programme not answered on this page, please get in touch with the Programme Director, Dr Sonja Tomašković.
What if I can't apply now?
If you are interested in this programme but are not currently eligible (for example, you are not a member of the two Schools with whom we are running this pilot) or cannot commit to it at this time, please complete this Expression of Interest form so that we can keep you informed about the next cycle.