26 June 2020

CaRST eNewsletter

It was great to see the focus on HDRs, which is typically an underserved group with unique challenges. Around half of PhD graduates leave academia. But where do they go? Professor Inger Mewburn from the Australian National University discussed how PhDs often have difficulty searching for jobs because up to 80% of job ads suitable for researchers do not include ‘PhD’ as a keyword. 

To help, her research team has developed a new app called PostAc, which is a database of job ads suitable for PhDs that is also searchable to suit your skills and interests. A beta version will be available near the end of 2020. You can read more about PostAc here and sign up to keep informed about its developments here.

Dr Shari Walsh, a psychologist and career development practitioner who specialises in working with HDRs and ECRs, spoke about the high level of identify and attachment PhDs have to their research careers, which can make it hard to be open to other career possibilities outside academia. She encourages candidates to consider the PhD as a ‘three-year contract’ where you are developing skills that can be applied to many different careers.

Thinking about your skills is key to unlocking mobility within and between careers, which was emphasised by Davor Miskulin and Daniel Leadbeater from Burning Glass, an analytics software company that provides real time data on job growth, skills, and labour market trends. According to their insights, exploring the market from a ‘skills-up perspective’ will help you to compete in a tightening job market post-covid-19.

It won’t be easy going on the job market in the post-covid-19 world, but there are things you can do to be more prepared and it pays to start planning early:

• Participate in the 3MT to learn how to explain your research in more transferrable language, which helps with speaking to those outside academia
• Explore job ads to determine the kinds of skills that are in demand; examine your own skills and identify what is a good fit
• Incorporate professional development into your PhD and prioritise non-academic career development to make yourself more marketable to potential employers
• Get your feet wet through internships, committee work, or contributing to articles with industry

I am working to bring Professor Mewburn, who maintains the blog The Thesis Whisperer, in to deliver a webinar on future job prospects for PhDs. I am also collaborating with Career Services to organise a series for HDRs focused on exploring and competing for jobs to be delivered later in the year. Stay tuned for these events to be announced through CaRST once the details are finalised.

Dr Monica Kerr
Director, CaRST

CaRST Events

Before registering for CaRST events, please review our no-show policy.

Research Grants and Fellowships – Grant Writing Basics

Date: 29 June 2020
Time: 2:00pm
Credit: 2 credits, Domain C
Delivery mode: Online webinar via Zoom

Presented by Research Services, this lecture will provide an overview on writing research grants and fellowships. The session will cover topics including the grant lifecycle, staying informed about funding opportunities, grantsmanship, building a track record, and planning and writing winning proposals. Register here. Bookings close 30 minutes prior to the session.

How to publish research with impact during your PhD

This is a session for Health Sciences students. 

Date: 2 July 2020
Time: 1:00pm
Credit: 1 credit, Domain D
Delivery mode: Zoom

Are you a Health Sciences student who is seeking to publish their research work? In this event hosted by HeSPA, distinguished speakers Hannah Rose Wardill and Azmeraw T Amare will share their tips and strategies to successfully publish high-impact works during your PhD. Q&A opportunity also available. Register via Eventbrite.

Turbocharge your Writing

Date: 2 July 2020
Time: 1:30pm
Credit: 2.5 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: Online webinar via Zoom

Would you like to know the secret to high output, low stress scholarly writing? Then join us for this workshop presented by Hugh Kearns from ThinkWell to learn how to increase your writing output. Following the workshop you will understand why it’s hard to get started, know how to set a writing plan and stick to it, and how to greatly increase the number of actual words you produce. Register here. Bookings close 30 minutes prior to the session.

Stand Up, Speak Up and Persuade

Date: 3 July 2020
Time: 10:00am
Credit: 3 credits, Domain D
Delivery mode: Online webinar via Zoom

How is it that two people can talk about the same thing, but only one gets their message across? That’s because it’s all in the delivery. If your job is to persuade and influence others, these techniques will help you to build on your presentation skills and excel. Attend this workshop presented by Sharon Ferrier from Persuasive Presentations to learn how to stand up, speak up and persuade! Register here. Bookings close 30 minutes prior to the session.

Programming with Python

This is a 2-part workshop. Attendance at both sessions is required.

Dates: 7 July 2020 and 8 July 2020
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm
Credit: 6 credits, Domain A
Delivery mode: Online class via Zoom

This introductory course from Intersect and CaRST will teach basic programming concepts and techniques in Python, a popular language for scientific computing. Open to HDR students, ECRs, and research staff. Register via Eventbrite.

Data Manipulation and Visualisation in Python

This is a 2-part workshop. Attendance at both sessions is required.

Dates: 14 July 2020 and 15 July 2020
Time: 1:30pm – 4:30pm
Credit: 6 credits, Domain A
Delivery mode: Online class via Zoom

Do you have good knowledge of basic concepts and techniques in Python? This CaRST course by Intersect teaches data manipulation and visualisation in Python in a live coding environment. Open to HDR students, ECRs, and research staff. Register via Eventbrite.

Other Events

LabArchives Electronic Research Notebook

This session will help researchers and HDR students who want to learn how to collaborate, update, and manage research data using the LabArchive Electronic Research Notebook system. Tuesday 30 June, 1:30pm and Thursday 9 July, 10:00am via Zoom. Register.

Create Your Researcher Profile

This session for academics, HDR students, and titleholders will support you to find, edit, and update your Researcher Profile. Wednesday 1 July 1:00pm via Zoom. Register.

News

Visualise your Thesis

Registrations are now OPEN for the 2020 Visualise Your Thesis competition! Open to Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students, this is the perfect opportunity to flex your creativity and get your research out there. Competition opens 1 June and submissions will be accepted until 26 July. Winning prize is $1000! Register online.

COVID-19 FAQs for HDR Students

The Graduate Centre has created a Frequently Asked Questions page (FAQs) regarding COVD-19 which is updated regularly as the situation develops.  Please visit the Adelaide Graduate Centre website for COVID-19 FAQs for HDR Students.

Industry Opportunities

The Industry Engaged PhD (IEP) Program and Scholarship

IEP scholarships are now available to support eligible domestic and international students who undertake an industry placement (including remotely/online) as part of their PhD. The University of Adelaide’s Industry Engaged PhD (IEP) program involves participation in an industry placement of 1-3 months (FTE) in duration, together with the completion of a number of Career and Research Skills Training (CaRST) and other professional development activities. Completion of the IEP, including the CaRST credit courses, will be reflected as a statement on the academic transcript. For information about this program, including the application process, please visit the IEP website.

APR Internship Opportunities Available!

The University of Adelaide is working with APR.Intern to expand the range of placement opportunities available to our PhD students (including internships that can be completed remotely/online). At this time, there are lots of exciting opportunities available for SA. APR.Intern facilitates short term 3-5 month placements for students to apply their research expertise to projects while gaining invaluable industry experience. For current APR.Intern opportunities and program information, please visit their website.

About CaRST

Located within the Adelaide Graduate Centre, CaRST is a specialised training and development program for HDR students at the University of Adelaide. For further information on CaRST visit the CaRST website.