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Skills every early career academic needs What beginners need to know to thrive in every aspect of their university careers
From how to get published to how to get promoted, early career academics and researchers require a slew of skills that stretch far beyond the lab or the lecture theatre. This collection of resources covers career advice, networking, working internationally, funding and grant applications, mentoring, time management, staying well and strategies to navigate the complex world of academia.
Copyright © 2025 THE - Times Higher Education. All rights reserved. Boosting data literacy : essential skills for early career researchers
Guidance for early career researchers on how to effectively manage and present data
How do you leap from research lab to Silicon Valley start - up ?
The good news is that times of turmoil are ideal for innovation – and far more skills are transferable from bench to IPO than you might …
As a researcher , you need a personal strategy … could business …
Business frameworks could help academic researchers to develop a personal strategy to guide their work
Advice for university staff on working successfully with HR
How can faculty ensure that all the touch points they have with human resources within their employee lifecycle are efficient , transparent …
Don ’ t believe the hype : being an ECR needn ’ t be a lonely existence
Finding ‘ PhD pals ’ in the same boat , but also learning to communicate your work effectively outside the research bubble , is crucial for ECRs , says Rebekah Ackroyd
The how and why of building a network in higher education
Sandy Jones gives advice to her 22 - year - old self on the value of networking and how to get started – despite not owning a single high heel
An academic ’ s advice for navigating risk
From publication to grant applications , the rites of academia come with unfavourable odds . Yet researchers are rarely taught how to …
The ‘ third way ’ academic : becoming an education - focused professor
Career development tips for higher education professionals who take an education - focused pathway
Researchers are too critical – we need to give ourselves ( and others ) a break
It doesn ’ t have to be like this . Critical thinking means looking for the evidence – that is evidence both for and against , says Hugh …
Pathways to prosperity in casual academia
The journey from adjunct to permanent requires adaptability , foresight and self - awareness . Here , Andrew Stapleton offers tips – such as diversifying skills , strategic branding and mobility – to enhance an academic career
Six steps to overcoming setbacks and rejection
Rejection is an inevitable part of being an academic , so it is vital to develop strategies to cope with and learn from setbacks in order to succeed in the longer term . Paul A . Walcott shares six such strategies
What is your academic writing temperament ?
Many early career researchers struggle to write enough . The key is to move away from an abstract notion of productivity and …
The ‘ 25 method ’ for forming a writing routine when you have limited time
Olivia Burgess shares her abbreviated form of the pomodoro method for being productive in only 25 minutes a day
Give your academic paper its best chance of being accepted
Peer review is a key step in the journey to publication in that prestigious journal , but not every paper gets to this stage . Here are …
Life after publication : promote your work for maximum impact
Seeing your work in print is by no means the end of the story . Chris Tancock offers advice on how you can make your published work stand out and benefit from the broadest visibility
What is peer review and why it is important ?
Peer review is the lifeblood of good science . But understanding the process can take time , and gaining review experience can be daunting . Marc Gillett explains the key elements of this critical component of science
Devolved research funding in universities – a counter - narrative
Unfunded research could paradoxically add value to an institution ’ s output , profile and impact . Rosalind Edwards asks what …
All together now : how to write an interdisciplinary research proposal
Advice on drafting successful research proposals to secure support and funding for interdisciplinary projects , from three academics …
A guide to writing grant proposals
To write a successful grant proposal , academics need to focus on the relevant details that will help sell their research idea to the …
I moved to Sweden as an early career researcher – here ’ s what I learned
The pursuit of an academic career can mean moving to a different country . Here , Federica Di Biase shares lessons for early - career researchers who want to move to Sweden or have already done so
Lessons learned from a fellowship year as a dentist and early career researcher
Winning a fellowship as a dentist and spending a year in Graz as an international scholar not only taught me about the profession but also fostered my self - awareness , writes D á niel V é gh
Five steps to finding effective mentors in academia
Five steps to help you find a mentor who aligns with your goals and can help you achieve academic success
THE podcast : how to be a good mentor and mentee
Contributors from across the globe offer their advice on how to make these critical relationships work for everyone involved
Six lessons from facilitating a formalised mentoring programme
An institutional formalised mentoring scheme can offer invaluable career guidance for early - and mid - career academics …
Giving and receiving doctoral writing feedback
Advice for PhD supervisors on setting out clear expectations and strategies for delivering effective feedback to their doctoral students
Tips for new PhD supervisors : how to hold effective meetings
Supervisory meetings should be planned , regular and positive in tone . Here are key elements to include in thesis supervision meetings for academics new to the role
Making the most of social media : practical tips for academics
A guide for academics to using social media as a powerful tool to share and amplify their work and build professional networks , by David Riley
Dealing with abuse after public commentary
Communicating to the public can result in abuse of academics . Here , University of Southampton staff describe their …
The benefits of having a web presence as an early career researcher
If you can be easily found online , you ’ re more likely to raise your research profile , receive media requests , get involved in peer …
