Online Resources for PGRs

Starting Postgraduate Research

Introduction to Postgraduate Research for Disabled PGRs – These pages contain information and links to support services offered by the University of Manchester and to external organisations. We recommend that you take some time to familiarise yourself with these.

Starting Postgraduate Research in Biology, Medicine and Health/ Humanities/ Science and Engineering   

We have created this resource to help you navigate through your first few months as a postgraduate researcher at the University of Manchester. The resource aims to give you an overview of the structure of the University and the Faculty along with details of key contacts and the services, support and training and development opportunities that you can access during your time at Manchester.

Managing Your Research Project

Effective Research Planning – This course will introduce you to some fundamental planning techniques and equip you with the skills you need to plan for your current PhD work or any other research work. You can add more details as you progress through the course and your plans develop.

Preparing for your Annual Review in Humanities or Preparing for your Annual Review in Science and Engineering 

By reading and completing this short course, you will:
Understand the formal requirements for written work submission for the review
Learn about the potential outcomes of the annual review
Feel able to confidently prepare for your review submission and meeting

Preparing for your Continuation Report and Viva in Biology, Medicine and Health

By reading and completing this short course, you will:
Understand the formal requirements for the continuation report and viva meeting
Learn about the potential outcomes of the continuation report
Feel able to confidently prepare for your review submission and continuation viva

Preparing for your Viva: Understanding Policy and Procedure – This course teaches you about policy and procedure which govern thesis submission and viva examination.

Research Skills

RRI Foundation Course
Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) is a growing area of interest and importance for all researchers. Research can be controversial, and thinking about RRI at an early stage can ensure unintended impacts and barriers are avoided, and that the benefits of research and innovation are fully realised.

We have secured licences for an online introductory training course that will provide you with an overview of responsible research and innovation (RRI). To request access to this course please email resdev@manchester.ac.uk

Writing an Effective Literature Review Online Course – By completing this online course, you will be able to:
Explain the purpose of a literature review.
Explain how to use Boolean search terms and inclusion and exclusion criteria to focus your literature search.
Identify the right information management system for you, to help you keep track of the literature and your thoughts.

Communicating Research

Communicating Your Research with Impact (online training course by external provider, Epigeum) – guidance on how to enrol on this course is available here.

Career Development

Career Seminar Series for Researchers -This resource is a legacy of the BMH Career Seminar Series and includes recordings of the sessions run with invited guests to talk about their careers (or career-related topics), along with other relevant resources. Topics include: CV clinic; medical writing; industry; teaching; NHS; funding bodies and project management.

CVs for Researchers – This short module provides guidance and advice for research staff on how to develop CVs which evidence their skills for roles in a range of sectors: academic; public; charity and commercial. Example CV formats include: Academic CVs, Narrative CVs and CVs for different sectors (inlcuding skills based CVs).

Online Resources for Research Staff

Personal and Career Development

Academic Promotions on Research-Only Contracts –This resource is designed to:

  • outline the four sets of criteria you need to evidence for promotion
  • help you identify good practice in writing a promotion application, by offering ideas of evidence to include and through providing successful examples
  • highlight the application process and where you can access support
  • provide you with the opportunity to start to gather your evidence as you look at successful examples and read the career guidance.

This guide is predominantly focused on the promotion from grade 6 (Research Associate) to grade 7 (Research Fellow) but will be relevant to anyone looking for promotion on the research-only track. 

Career Seminar Series for Researchers – This resource is a legacy of the BMH Career Seminar Series and includes recordings of the sessions run with invited guests to talk about their careers (or career-related topics), along with other relevant resources. Topics include: CV clinic; medical writing; industry; teaching; NHS; funding bodies and project management. 

CVs for Researchers – This short module provides guidance and advice for research staff on how to develop CVs which evidence their skills for roles in a range of sectors: academic; public; charity and commercial. Example CV formats include: Academic CVs, Narrative CVs and CVs for different sectors (including skills based CVs).

Getting the Most out of Your P&DR for Research Staff – The aim of this resource is to help you prepare for your Performance and Development Review (P&DR) so that you get the most out of this important career management meeting. Working through this resource will help you:

  • reflect on your research achievements, your development needs and your aspirations for your future career
  • use a range of communication skills to ensure that your line manager is able to support you fully
  • emphasise the importance of agreeing achievable actions and provide a process for follow up and continual review
  • signpost to a wider network of support and mentorship
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