Professional Development

Some information on the development opportunities available to you as a member of our Department. 

The CDC aims to support the career development of all staff and students across RDM. The CDC plays a key role in raising awareness of career opportunities; providing training and support at key career transitions (eg postdoc to independent researcher), and in championing career development.

We run Departmental training sessions throughout the year and opportunities are advertised via our Weekly Bulletin. 

The University also has training and development provisions for staff, including People and Organisational Development, The IT Learning Centre  and The Language Centre.

A number of events are held throughout the year for Professional Services Staff including University Inductions, Registrar's Update and Professional Services Staff Conference.

The Work Learn Develop Apprenticeship programmes provide funded professional training and development opportunities for staff. Training courses cover skill areas that are core to University administration as well as some technical and niche skills areas. All courses are accredited and offer professional and job-related qualifications.

The Medical Sciences Division (MSD) Researchers' Toolkit aims to support you during your research.

Other courses aimed at researchers include MSD Skills Training. Training from the Safety Office looks at work-related hazards.

The Careers Service provides advice and information about career options and job applications, and support research staff, students and alumni.

The University of Oxford Research Staff Hub pulls together news and information, including the Concordat to support Researchers' Career Development. 

Once you're all set up with your Oxford email address, you can access thousands of online video-based courses through LinkedIn Learning

It is compulsory for all RDM staff to complete the training courses below

- Information Security Awareness 

- Harassment & Bullying training

- Implicit Bias

- Equality & Diversity

Some mandatory training is role-specific; to find out if this applies to you have a look at the mandatory training by role. 

New Managers’ Toolkit resources and links – these comprise a number of short guides on topics that are important for new managers. Each guide provides an overview of the topic and links to other guides that may be relevant and to other sources of information or expansion on the topic.

All staff undergo a probationary period. Once you have completed probation you will have annual Personal Development Reviews (PDRs) with your line manager. We have designed some PDR toolkits for reviewers and reviewees in both research and professional roles, to help you with the process. 

We have a mentoring scheme for all members of staff and students. The aim of the scheme is to assist all staff and students to achieve personal and professional growth through a mentoring relationship that provides support as they progress and develop within the University.