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1 Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc 22 August 2008 2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie Dr Kirsty Gillespie CASS Research Office CASS Research Office

Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc 22 August 2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie CASS Research Office

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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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Page 1: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS Research Office

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Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc

22 August 2008 2008

Dr Kirsty Gillespie Dr Kirsty Gillespie CASS Research OfficeCASS Research Office

Page 2: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS 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?

Page 3: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS Research Office

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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.

Page 4: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS Research Office

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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.

Page 5: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS Research Office

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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

Page 6: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS Research Office

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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%

Page 7: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS Research Office

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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

Page 8: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS Research Office

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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

Page 9: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS Research Office

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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

Page 10: Preparing for a Discovery Postdoc   22 August  2008 Dr Kirsty Gillespie  CASS Research Office

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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