Early and Mid-Career Researchers

There is a wealth of resources available to EMCRs today. In fact, it can be overwhelming, and we are already running out of hours in the day. So, where do you start looking when you’d like a hand?

UQ has a list of resources available here.  We recommend that all EMCRs, particularly those new to UQ, look through these resources.

Additionally, we have compiled a short list of websites and tools that we have found useful. If you have any suggestions or notice a broken link, please contact us so we can update our lists.

Developing your skills

Grant writing is a skill that can only be developed through a large amount of practice. That doesn’t mean you can’t get a head-start (and plenty of refreshers) with guidance and references!

• NatureJobs has a blog post overviewing generic tips on how to approach grant applications. 21 Feb 2018
• The Research Whisperer has put together a short, 4-step guide to writing grant applications. 27 July 2011
• Although it is not an Australian institution, the NIH has prepared a general guide for preparing and writing research funding proposals.

If you’re looking for more to sink your teeth into, try these in-depth guides to help you with structure and writing:

• Writing successful science proposals, by Andrew Friedland, Carol Folt, and Jennifer Mercer, third edition, New Haven Yale University Press, 2018
• The reader’s brain: How neuroscience can make you a better writer, by Yellowlees Douglas, Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 2015.

Getting funding

• The UQR&I Research Bulletin is a fortnightly newsletter for UQ staff and affiliates that circulates information on funding opportunities, upcoming research events, workshops, and conferences, as well as information on research awards and prizes.
• The UQR&I Mailer circulates important information relevant to researchers who hold or are intending to apply for, grants. This may include, but is not limited to, information on workshops, opening of schemes, major rule changes, or calls for funding.
• UQ provides a variety of resources to help researchers find potential funding opportunities via funding databases.

Boosting your profile

• It’s crucial that EMCRs are visible in the current competitive research environment. Take advantage of UQ researchers and ensure your UQ eSpace is up to date.
• There is a range of other online identifiers such as ORCiD and ResearcherID that make tracking and updating your publication list and promoting yourself via metrics easier; utilise the library guides to ensure your maximum visibility.
• A blog post on The Research Whisperer featuring Deb Brian of the Office of Sponsored Research at UQ has some excellent advice for EMCRs looking to build their track record. 6 February 2018

Non-academic careers

• An editorial in Nature suggests that PhD students are not aware enough of the many career pathways available outside academia. As supervisors, we EMCRs are positioned to educate ourselves and pass on this knowledge. A good place to start is the UQ Graduate School. 25 October 2017
• ‘Young researchers thrive in life after academia:’ Alternative career paths should be celebrated, not seen as a compromise. 27 September 2016, Nature 537
• Nature Jobs frequently features blogs highlighting the transition away from academia, e.g.:
  • ‘How to ask the right questions when transitioning from academia to industry,’ 19 May 2014
  •  ‘From doctorate to data science: a very short guide,’  21 July 2014
• The Individual Development Plan, by ScienceCareers, can help you explore science-based career pathways that suit you. After exploring your options, the site will let you set progression goals and keep you on track.

You’re not alone

• The UQ Early and Mid-Career Academics Committee (EC@UQ) is building momentum. Contact them to find out how you can get involved.  
• Run by EMCRs, for EMCRs, advocating and representing researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across Australia is the EMCR Forum.
• Naturejobs postdoc blog series: Insights, options, careers 
• ‘How Australia fails mid-career scientists:’ When the global financial crisis hit, forcing microbiologist Catherine Osborne to return from scientific work in the United States, she found that getting a job in the Australian research industry isn't the hard part—staying in one is. 12 July 2016, ABC
• The EAIT EMCR Committee runs multiple events throughout the year. Join us to get to know like-minded researchers from your Faculty.

Other useful resources

• Looking to use your science and engineering knowledge to create policy change? Check out Science and Technology Australia's 'Science meets Parliament' events to meet people with influence.
• Interested in kick-starting a cross-sector collaboration, but not sure where to start? The EMCR Forum has put together some excellent resources on their ‘kick-starting collaboration’ page.
• Be sure to take your annual appraisal seriously. You can find information about UQ’s appraisal and promotion processes online.

For any questions, please email us at eait-emcr@uq.edu.au

EAIT-EMCR Annual Research and Networking Symposium 2024  

When: 1:00 pm - 4:20 pm, 30th October, 2024
Where: 78-343 - General Purpose South, Collaborative Room

The EAIT Early and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Symposium brought together researchers across the Faculty to foster networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. This unique event provided a platform for EMCRs to showcase their research interests through concise, five-minute presentations, encouraging cross-disciplinary connections and highlighting the breadth of expertise within EAIT.

Attendees explored opportunities for collaboration, learned about advanced techniques and facilities, and engaged in meaningful discussions. A comprehensive Symposium booklet captured presenter details, promoting ongoing collaboration within the Faculty. The event successfully strengthened the EMCR community, creating a vibrant space for building professional networks and advancing innovative research initiatives.

EAIT EMCR Seminar: How to teach and maintain sanity? (Practical insights and perspectives for Early & Mid-Career Researchers)

When: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 24th September, 2024
Where: 50-N201, Hawken Engineering Building (50) 

In today's university landscape, teaching capability is a highly-valued (if not essential) skill for those looking to pursue a successful and rewarding academic career. This event brings together a panel of researchers and experts from across engineering, architecture, and information technology disciplines who have extensive experience successfully balancing their research and teaching workloads while excelling in both of these facets of academic life. 
 
Attendees will gain invaluable insights directly from those who have navigated the demands of an academic career. Panelists will share their first-hand perspectives around:

• How to balance research and teaching
• How to achieve impact and high-quality student outcomes in your teaching 
• Tips and techniques for accessing teaching opportunities (particularly for Research Focused staff)
• Pitfalls to look out for when starting to build your teaching portfolio

Whether you're an early-career researcher seeking to build your teaching experience or a seasoned faculty member seeking to optimise your current teaching practices, this event provides a window into how people have succeeded in this space. Come gain practical advice and learn what it takes to make an impact in the lives of the students we teach (while maintaining some mental space to also achieve our own research-oriented ambitions!).

EAIT-EMCR Seminar & Panel Discussion: Insights from the Field: Establishing and Building Industry Research Collaborations

When: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, 6th June, 2024
Where: 46-914, Liveris Building (46)

The EAIT EMCR committee hosted the second event of the year around Industry Engagement. Attendees gained invaluable insights from those who have navigated the path of university-industry R&D collaboration. Panellists shared their first-hand perspectives around: 
•    How to establish a relationship with an industry partner
•    Understanding corporate R&D drivers and strategic priorities
•    Effectively aligning academic research strengths with industry needs
•    Best practices for initiating and building productive industry relationships
•    Navigating intellectual property considerations in collaborative projects
•    Structuring projects to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes

EAIT-EMCR: AQIRF Grant Writing Workshop

When: 2:00pm - 4:00pm, 26th March, 2024
Where: 46-914, Liveris Building (46)

This workshop provided an overview of schemes for early and mid-career researchers, with a focus on the Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowships, including perspective from successful applicants.

2023

EAIT-EMCR: End of Year Celebration and Annual General Meeting (AGM)

When: 14 December, 2023
Where: Advanced Engineering Building (49)

The EAIT EMCR committee concluded the year with the AGM and End of Year celebration lunch. At the AGM we celebrated the achievements and highlights of the past year and nominated candidates for the new committee based on a self-nomination process. We had success in recruiting new committee members for 2024.

EAIT-EMCR: Annual Symposium

When: 2nd November, 2023
Where: Room 313A, Advanced Engineering Building (49)

The EAIT Early and Mid-Career Researcher (EMCR) Symposium is an annual event designed to promote networking and collaboration within the Faculty. This year’s goals included establishing new connections, learning about research techniques across EAIT, and increasing awareness of EMCR activities. Researchers presented brief overviews of their work, seeking collaboration opportunities. Sixteen presentations represented all faculty schools, and a Symposium booklet was created to enhance internal collaboration. The event was opened by EAIT Associate Dean (Research), Professor Matthew Dargusch, who discussed researcher development at UQ. Jeanette Williams and Tracey Powell from the Library provided insights on Open Access Publishing and research metrics.

People’s Choice favourite presentation award:

Dr Clement Chan (School of Chemical Engineering) presenting “Bioplastics and Biocomposites Development for a Circular Plastics Economy”

Runner up: Dr Anwar Orabi (School of Civil Engineering) on “Fire, Structures, and Computers”.

EAIT-EMCR: Panel Discussion: Industry Engagement 

When: 1st August, 2023
Where: Advanced Engineering Building (49)

This EAIT-EMCR event focused on Industry Engagement, a vital yet challenging area for Early and Mid-Career Researchers. Through a panel discussion, the event emphasized the importance of bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application. After a networking lunch and introduction, Nicky Spijkerman presented on career development and industry engagement. The panel, including experts from academia and industry, discussed key topics such as initiating industry contact, maintaining relationships, and aligning research with industry needs. Approximately 50 EMCRs attended, gaining insights into the importance of "T shape" skills and the benefits of industry collaboration. Positive feedback was received.
Panelists: Ms Nicky Spijkerman, Dr Harry Asche (Design Director at Aurecon), and Dr Heather Shewan (Advanced Queensland Research Industry Fellow)
Chair: Dr Alina Bialkowski.

EAIT-EMCR: EAIT-EMCR Research Project Management Workshop: Seize your future

When: 29th June, 2023
Where: Advanced Engineering Building (49)

This event focused on enhancing project management skills for researchers, facilitated by Dr. Peter Worthy. It aimed to empower researchers with essential project management techniques crucial for research success and career development. Key workshop highlights included planning, organizing, and executing research projects effectively, managing time, resources, and stakeholders, creating project plans and timelines, using tools like Trello, and identifying and managing risks. Additionally, Jeanette Williams from the UQ Library presented on how the University Library supports researchers, providing valuable resources and guidance on data management and publishing. The event emphasized the growing importance of project management in research.

EAIT-EMCR: Researcher Development Framework (RDF) Workshop

When: 21st April, 2023
Where:  Advanced Engineering Building (49)

The event was a workshop around the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF), to help unlock people’s full potential as researchers. The workshop was designed to benefit researchers looking to enhance their proficiency and achieve their career goals, in an interactive format. The event was coordinated by:
•    Professor Jason Stokes, Deputy Associate Dean Research (Research Training), EAIT, and
•    Professor Alastair McEwan, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research), UQ.
The event commenced with an overview of the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (RDF), which served as the foundation for evaluating participants' research skills and mapping their proficiency levels across three main domains: knowledge and intellectual abilities, personal effectiveness, and career development. Through the interactive format and discussion, participants developed a clearer understanding of their current research skills and goals and how these map to the UQ Annual Performance and Development (APD) process, empowering participants to express their achievements and aspirations in line with UQ's broader goals and how to unlock their full potential as researchers.