Job hunting

Preparation

Networking:

"Often your PI doesn't introduce you to contacts. You've got to make your own."
"NETWORK - hate it, but it's essential."
"Do as much networking as possible, throughout your contract."
(Source: University of Reading Researchers Survey, 2009)

Some useful tips on networking can be found at www.reading.ac.uk/careers/postgrad/cjstechniques.asp and Networking for Postgraduates and Researchers.

Researching opportunities

• Background reading of material from professional bodies, occupational information, job descriptions, websites of organisations and other "desk research" will improve the quality of your networking conversations
• Jobhunting tips can be found on the Windmills website
• RSS feeds and other software for receiving updates from websites can help you search effectively. Many sites will email you vacancies too once you register with them
• Research Gate Jobs Board and professional network for Scientists

Sources of vacancies outside academia

• Tips on creative job hunting can be found on the Careers website. The site also has a comprehensive vacancy advertising service, which can be found at www.reading.ac.uk/careers/jobs/
• Recruitment agencies can be found at www.recruit-online.co.uk, grouped by sector
• A good source of science and engineering posts is www.phdjobs.com and this is an easy site to navigate
• Find a Postdoc does more than its name suggests and is worth using
• Nature Jobs is a good source of science vacancies both inside and outside academia
• A few research positions are always advertised by the Social Research Association
• Science careers are well covered by the informative site Science Careers, which is also a good source of international vacancies

"I saw a post advertised that was really interesting but I knew I lacked one of the essential criteria listed in the person specification. I phoned the contact name given in the job details to discuss this. I was encouraged to apply anyway. I got the job."
(Quote from a University of Reading researcher moving location to Scotland)

Sources of vacancies and funding within academia

• Jobs.ac.uk
• Times Higher
• Euraxess, from the European commission
• Details of funding opportunities can be found at www.reading.ac.uk/researchstaff/
• Tips for applying for funding and writing proposals are on the Vitae website