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Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc 22 August 2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie CASS Research Office. Today’s focus questions: What’s a Discovery postdoc, and why would I want one? What’s an ECR, and why is this status important? How should I go about designing an application? - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc
22 August 2008 2008
Dr Kirsty Gillespie Dr Kirsty Gillespie CASS Research OfficeCASS Research Office
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Today’s focus questions:
What’s a Discovery postdoc, and why would I want one?
What’s an ECR, and why is this status important? How should I go about designing an application? How can I develop my track record? Are there alternatives to going it alone? Can I apply for a postdoc at the same institution
where I completed my PhD? How can the CASS Research Office help me?
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What’s a Discovery postdoc, and why would I want one?
ARC postdocs can be won up to 3 years after the award of a PhD.
Discovery postdocs (APDs) allow the recipient of the award to concentrate on their own topic of ‘pure research’.
Discovery projects have budgets between $20 000-$500 000 p.a. Postdocs held for a period of 3 years full-time, at $62 642 p.a. For the next Discovery round, due in March 2009, you will have
received your PhD no earlier than 6/3/06. For those not yet finished: Offers are contingent on official
confirmation that the thesis has been submitted, and a Fellowship will only be granted once the thesis acceptance letter is received, which has to occur by 30/6/2010.
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What’s an ECR, and why is this status important?
ECRs = early career researchers. ARC ECRs are scholars who have been awarded their PhD no more than five years before the due date of the funding scheme they are applying for.
ECR status helps determine an applicant’s track record relative to opportunity; also, the government insists on ensuring that a certain percentage of funding goes to ECRs.
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How should I go about designing an application?
Begin developing your ideas for a grant proposal during your PhD candidature. Proposals should not be seen to be a direct continuation of your doctoral research, but
may derive from it. Talk over your ideas for a research project with your colleagues, and your supervisors
and mentors. Be able to demonstrate clearly the project’s:
aims significance and innovation methodology budget
Consider how your research will be of ‘national benefit’. National Research Priorities: An Environmentally Sustainable Australia Promoting and Maintaining Good Health Frontier Technologies for Building and Transforming Aust. IndustriesSafeguarding Australia
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How ARC proposals are assessed
Project 60% Significance and innovation 30% Approach and Methodology 20% National Benefit 10%
Track record 40%
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How can I develop my track record?
Publish in refereed publications Emphasis on monographs, journal articles and book chapters Forthcoming/in press publications can also be included in a postdoc
application, but the date of acceptance must be given. Non-refereed publications are not accepted by most universities and schemes
in your publications list, but can be mentioned in other parts of the application. Conference presentations Applied work Ability to disseminate findings widely Membership of relevant professional organisations
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Are there alternatives to going it alone?
Advantages of team research projects:collaboration in researchhigher chance of success if proposal involves
established academics
Other ARC Schemes eg. Linkage
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Can I apply for a postdoc at the same institution where I completed my
PhD?
Yes! But…
‘Institutional mobility’ is highly valued in an ECR
You will have to justify why you wish to remain at ANU
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How can the CASS Research Office help me?
provide assistance from the initial design of your project through to the final submission stage of your application, including the valuable peer review process
help you get in touch with previously successful applicants guide you through how to improve your application if it is
unsuccessful provide administrative support for the life of a grant help staff and students locate other sources of funding
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Thank you!
Please contact us to discuss your application ideas
CASS Research OfficeCoombs Building, ground [email protected]
www.cass.anu.edu.au/staff/research