Not that long ago there were fairly clear divisions between researchers at different stages throughout their career, starting with doctoral students then progressing to postdoctoral workers and finishing with academic staff. However, more recently the term Early Career Researcher (ECR) has been introduced partly as a response to their growing importance which has been reflected by their increased respect and status shown by national, international and funding bodies. There are several common features of an ECR’s job including the need to establish a professional identity and develop into an independent researcher, competing for grants and increasing one’s output of research publications; this book offers proven practical advice to help ECRs kick-start a successful academic career. With advice on: Choosing research topics Making best use of a Research Supervisor/Mentor Developing your research writing Getting published: journals and books Writing a research grant/fellowship Becoming a supervisor Becoming a teacher, and Developing your career This guide will help academics at the start of their career no matter what discipline they are engaged in... Arts, Humanities, Sciences or Social Sciences. For example, in sciences and engineering, ECRs are commonly part of a large research team and often have to work in collaborative groups; requiring strong interpersonal skills but can lead to tension in the interaction with one’s supervisor or mentor. In contrast, in the arts and humanities and perhaps the social sciences, an ECR is more likely to be an independent scholar with a requirement to work alone, leading to a different type of relationship (but not necessarily any less stressful) with one’s supervisor or mentor. Using case studies from across the subject areas to illustrate key points and give suitable examples this vital guide will help all early career academics.

Not that long ago there were fairly clear divisions between researchers at different stages throughout their career, starting with doctoral students then progressing to postdoctoral workers and finishing with academic staff. However, more recently the term Early Career Researcher (ECR) has been introduced partly as a response to their growing importance which has been reflected by their increased respect and status shown by national, international and funding bodies. There are several common features of an ECR’s job including the need to establish a professional identity and develop into an independent researcher, competing for grants and increasing one’s output of research publications; this book offers proven practical advice to help ECRs kick-start a successful academic career. With advice on: Choosing research topics Making best use of a Research Supervisor/Mentor Developing your research writing Getting published: journals and books Writing a research grant/fellowship Becoming a supervisor Becoming a teacher, and Developing your career This guide will help academics at the start of their career no matter what discipline they are engaged in... Arts, Humanities, Sciences or Social Sciences. For example, in sciences and engineering, ECRs are commonly part of a large research team and often have to work in collaborative groups; requiring strong interpersonal skills but can lead to tension in the interaction with one’s supervisor or mentor. In contrast, in the arts and humanities and perhaps the social sciences, an ECR is more likely to be an independent scholar with a requirement to work alone, leading to a different type of relationship (but not necessarily any less stressful) with one’s supervisor or mentor. Using case studies from across the subject areas to illustrate key points and give suitable examples this vital guide will help all early career academics.

Research Impact and the Early Career Researcher documents experiences and perspectives on the emerging concept of research impact from a range of disciplines and places them within an analytical and critical discursive framework. Combining personal reflections with research essays, it provides the reader with a multi-dimensional perspective on research impact and how it connects to the research lives and practice of early career researchers. Research impact is playing an ever-increasing role in international research policy and government strategy. This book: Explores the arrival of impact into the national research consciousness Discusses how to build capacity and skills within research impact and how this might impact academic career progression in an international job market Offers advice on balancing national expectations with institutional expectations on research in terms of funding and career progression Offers suggested ways forward whilst actively challenging what constitutes research impact Research Impact and the Early Career Researcher provides a much-needed research base for studies of research impact and the extent to which it has altered, changed, and influenced the research practice of early career academics. It is an essential guide for any new and early career researchers wishing to navigate the complex landscape in order to meaningfully contribute to the impact agenda.

Navigating research careers is often highly challenging for early career researchers (ECRs) in the social sciences. The ability to thrive in research careers is complex and requires "soft" people and management skills and resilience that often cannot be formally taught through university coursework. Written from a peer perspective, this book provides guidance and establishes emotional rapport on topical issues relevant for ECRs in academia and industry. The authors are ECRs who have been successful in navigating their careers, and they seek to connect with readers in a supportive and collegial manner. Each chapter includes elements of story-telling and scientific thinking and is organized into three parts: (1) a personal story that is relevant to the topic; (2) key content on professional and personal effectiveness based on evidence in the psychological, sociological, and/or management sciences; and (3) action points and practical recommendations. The topics covered are specifically curated for people considering undertaking research careers or already working in research, including: Work Hard, Snore Hard: Recovery from Work for Early Career Researchers Networking and Collaborating in Academia: Increasing Your Scientific Impact and Having Fun in the Process Accelerating Your Research Career with Open Science Engaging with the Press and Media Make Your Science Go Viral: How to Maximize the Impact of Your Research Exploring the Horizon: Navigating Research Careers Outside of Academia Thinking like an Implementation Scientist and Applying Your Research in Practice Survival Guide for Early Career Researchers summarizes relevant evidence-based research to offer advice in strategic but also supportive ways to ECRs. It is an essential go-to practical resource for PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty. This book will also benefit senior researchers who are serving as mentors or delivering professional development programs, administrators and educators in institutions of higher learning, and anyone with an interest in building a successful research career.

The perfect companion to support your development of the academic and professional skills you need as an early career researcher to help you thrive in academia. This practical book offers guidance on the essential skills you need to succeed as an academic researcher. · Work out how to thrive in academia while protecting your own wellbeing · Learn how to develop discipline and structure in your academic writing · Navigate the nuances of research funding applications · Understand how to build professional development into your daily work · Take a smart perspective on career progression Designed to work across academic disciplines, each chapter includes lessons learned from published literature as well as perspectives from recent early career researchers to provide you with detailed insight applicable to diverse academic contexts. This book is accompanied by 30+ online resources and sample templates, including downloadable and editable research proposals, publication plans, lecture slides, resumes and cover letters. Joseph Roche is a researcher and lecturer at Trinity College Dublin.