Researcher Development
Helping you develop into an independent researcher.
Background
Becoming a research professional within the sciences and engineering disciplines involves more than just building your research profile and research skills. We offer personal, professional and career development opportunities for postgraduate researchers who will go on to work in a variety of careers.
We recognise that everyone is an individual with different skills and experience so the programme is flexible and can be tailored to your own requirements. Explore our online virtual learning environment (Canvas) to learn more of what's on offer or undertake a training needs analysis on NU Reflect.

Induction Information
ACTION 2024/25
Insights Public Lecture
Public lectures at Newcastle University are free and open to all. The aim is to offer a programme that will inform, stimulate, entertain, and excite see https://www.ncl.ac.uk/events/public-lectures/
The next SAgE PGR public lecture is on the 18th March 2025 at 5.30pm. Full details can be found here
Come along and support our postgraduate researchers.
PhD & Beyond Weeks
PhD & Beyond weeks are for postgraduate researchers who are coming towards the end of their research degree. The next running is between the 7th and 13th March 2025.
Further details can be found via the Sway
Postgraduate Leadership Programme
An in-person programme for late-stage PhD students interested in exploring leadership and developing their expertise as they consider future leadership positions.
As your career progresses – both inside and beyond academic roles – it is likely that you will be expected to take on leadership roles. This programme will support you explore:
- Your own current leadership style and behaviours and how these can be developed to be even more effective in future.
- How you can communicate even more effectively with a broad range of individuals and across disciplinary boundaries.
- How you can work with others to bring them with you on projects.
- How you can evidence your leadership skills for future job applications – both inside and beyond academia.
The programme will bring together researchers from across the University and throughout the programme you will have the opportunity to network and work with a diverse community of researchers as you develop your leadership skills. The programme will be include a range of activities and discussions to support you identify and develop your leadership skills and full attendance at the workshop is expected.
Dates for 24/25 will be advertised in due course.
The Brilliant Club
The Brilliant Club provides postgraduate researchers training in widening participation, research communication, and teaching. Researchers are then paid to deliver academically rigorous programmes to small groups of pupils in state schools across the UK.
How does it work?
On The Scholars Programme, tutors are trained to create a course based on their own academic research pitched at pupils in Key Stage 4 or 5. Tutors also have the opportunity to deliver a pre-designed programme to younger pupils aged 8-10. They deliver this course in university-style tutorials to groups of 7. To help fit alongside their other commitments, tutors indicate their availability on a termly basis. Placements are paid from £550 per placement, with an additional £121 for designing a Scholars Programme course (plus London weighting). Travel expenses are also paid.
For more information, register to attend an online information event
To apply, fill in the application form here
If you have any queries, please get in touch via apply@thebrilliantclub.org