Submitted by Administrator on Thu, 01/09/2016 - 12:34
On Tuesday 26th July, Psychology research staff and graduate students
gathered in the Nick Mackintosh Seminar Room for a glass of wine and
some wisdom. Four successful alumni of the Department were present to
share their insight into the process of becoming an academic lecturer.
Dr. Sharon Morein-Zamir (Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Anglia Ruskin
University), Dr. Christopher Heath (Lecturer in Health Sciences, The
Open University), Dr. Lucy Cheke (Lecturer in Psychology, University
of Cambridge), and Dr. Hannah Clarke (Lecturer in Physiology,
Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge) had all been
appointed to their current positions within the last couple of years,
and were eager to share their recent experiences with other aspiring
academics.
During the hour-long discussion, the panel covered a range of topics
including preparing to apply for an academic role (and the relative
importance of publications / teaching experience / etc.), factors they
used in choosing to pursue their current positions, strategies for the
application and interview processes, and whether and how to negotiate
benefits if offered a post. They also talked about navigating the
transition from postdoc to member of academic staff. One of the key
features of the panel was that it included lecturers from multiple
institutions. Thus, participants were able to learn about the merits
or disadvantages of working in institutions with different emphases on
research vs. teaching.
This event was hosted by the Research Staff Committee. If you have any
suggestions for similar events, please contact the Committee at
postdocreps@lists.cam.ac.uk.