Training and careers

Training and development opportunities

• Techniques training on a variety of equipment
  You will receive expert training to enable you to carry out your research safely and effectively.
• Research-specific course
  A variety of optional Chemistry courses are available to enhance your knowledge in your particular chosen areas relevant to your research.
• Outreach and public engagement
  The Department has strong links with schools and runs a full Outreach programme. You will have the opportunity to assist with Open Days, Chemistry Camp and a variety of outreach activities.
• Departmental seminars and visiting speakers
  The department runs a full seminar programme giving you the opportunity to attend seminars and lectures from a variety of inspiring researchers.
• Conference and training allowance
  All research students have access to a funding to enable attendance at national and international conferences. This can also be used for external training.
• Departmental competitions
  The department holds competitions for research students providing the opportunity to present your work with the chance of winning prizes.
• Committee membership
  There are opportunities for you to get involved in a range of groups and committees at University and departmental level, such as the Chemistry Graduate School Board, Board of Studies, and Graduate Students Association, to name a few. This gives you the opportunity to highlight issues on behalf of fellow students and have a say on how these can be addressed.

Core transferable skills training

Our Innovative Doctoral Training in Chemistry (iDTC) programme is for all postgraduate research students. It supports the development of scientific, transferable and employability skills, enhances the research output of each student, and meets the needs of employers. The training programme includes these core sessions:

• Health and safety: responsible research and chemical ethics, including research integrity
• Employability and professionalism including public engagement and outreach
• Resilience, time management and motivation 
• Equality and diversity
• Sessions on preparing scientific posters, oral presentations, scientific papers, written reports and your final thesis
• Research data management
• Developing networking techniques and skills
• How to prepare a grant proposal
• Introductory sessions on searching scientific literature and use of IT facilities
• Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) training after completing the required training, you have the opportunity to demonstrate in labs to undergraduate students enabling you to earn extra money as well as improve your own teaching and communication skills
• Career planning plus CV and interview skills guidance and advice

Mentoring

Collaboration between research groups is fostered through shared training experiences. All new research students are assigned a mentor from the existing research student community. For those new to York, mentors work in the same research area and/or are from the same country or region of the world as the new student. Those who have previously studied at York will be appointed a mentor working in a different but related research area. The mentor partnership allows students to explore options and understand more about working in the Department of Chemistry.