Career Development

Undergraduates entering academic careers Dr Amy Milton is the contact for students interested in pursuing a career in academia. She did her first degree in Natural Sciences (Biological) at Newnham College, Cambridge, before undertaking a PhD in behavioural neuroscience. She subsequently became a Research Fellow at Downing College, Cambridge, and a Departmental Lecturer in the Department of Experimental Psychology. She has recently been appointed to a University Lectureship in the Department of Psychology. 

For undergraduates interested in pursuing a career in academia, the first step is to undertake graduate study; whether a Masters followed by a PhD, or moving straight into PhD research. This can be done either by applying for advertised PhD positions, which appear on academic job sites such as those listed below:

• PhD Finder
• PhD Jobs
• Postgraduate Study

Advertised positions will often come with funding, and the application process is similar to a standard job application.

Alternatively, students can independently find a supervisor, work out a suitable project, and then apply for funding in the Research Council competitions. The web pages below give advice on this application procedure here in the Department of Psychology, and the advice is useful more generally for this approach:

➤ Application procedure

For graduate students interested in continuing in academia, you can apply for postdoctoral positions advertised on scientific career websites or apply for your own fellowship funding. Junior Research Fellowship competitions (specific to the University of Cambridge) are advertised in the University Reporter, with the first adverts appearing over the summer, and some appearing as late as January, for appointment in the following October:

➤ Cambridge University Reporter

Other fellowships are available, and can be found by searching online depending on your specific field of research and eligibility.

The University of Cambridge Careers Service found here, is also a source of useful advice, as are students’ Directors of Studies and graduate supervisors and advisors.

Post-doctoral researchers: career development

Professor Nicola Clayton will present a semi-annual career development lecture to the Department's post-docs.