Beyond the Doctorate: A Careers Series for Postgraduate Researchers

This seminar series is designed to guide you through career planning and development. Whether you're exploring opportunities in academia, the non-profit sector, or entrepreneurship, at home or abroad, you'll gain valuable insights and practical tips to navigate the job market. 

Black woman laughs whilst studying in a red room

Upcoming seminars:

Beyond the Doctorate - A Conversation with Dr Christine Burt 

Date: Thursday 10 July

Time: 11AM-12PM

Location: Online

Dr Christine Burt a former University of Birmingham researcher in the Departments of Immunology, Immunity and Infection & Medicine, she has also worked at Aston University in Life and Health Sciences. She completed her PhD in the Liver Unit at University Hospitals Birmingham and worked for a very short time in Cancer Studies as a post-doctoral research fellow. She is a former lecturer and small group teacher and is currently the Director for Research and Innovation at Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust with >5000 staff predominantly nurses and therapists. Within that role she also developed and leads CHART (Community Healthcare Alliance of Research Trusts) which is a national initiative to increase research in wider healthcare settings and developed Community Connexions. Community Connexions is a patient and public initiative for building community engagement not only for building bridges for research but for gaining insights into the needs of the community and addressing health inequalities

Beyond the Doctorate - Breaking into Blockchain

Date: Tuesday 22 July

Time: 2-3PM

Location: Online

Blockchain is more than cryptocurrency, it's a foundation for the next wave of digital innovation. In this session, Laurentiu Nae, a software engineer and blockchain developer and advisor, demystifies how blockchain works and explores the exciting career pathways it unlocks. 

Beyond the Doctorate - Networking Skills and Promoting yourself 

Date: Monday 11 August

Time: 12-1PM

Location: Online

This session will look at how networking can support students in their employment search and in developing a network of contacts. The session will explore how to look for networking events, what to expect and how to act to develop successful and meaningful relationships. It will also look at how LinkedIn can be used as a tool to network and build connections to help identify future opportunities. Participants will be able to create a clear plan of how to approach networking events confidently, how to engage with LinkedIn in a successful way, including what to include in their profile and posting content. You will get a real-life example of an entrepreneur from the global majority who uses networking events and LinkedIn to support her professional development.

Date: Friday 19 September

Time: 2-3PM

Location: Online

This session explores the opportunities and challenges PhD graduates face when transitioning from academia to industry. Led by an experienced Talent Specialist from a multinational company, the discussion will provide insights into industry hiring perspectives and processes, the value PhDs bring to businesses, and common barriers in the recruitment process. Key topics include career paths for PhDs across sectors, application strategies, interview preparation, and international hiring considerations such as visa sponsorship. The session will also address unique challenges faced by candidates from global majority backgrounds with real life case studies and offer practical guidance on leveraging academic expertise for a successful industry career.

Beyond the Doctorate - Looking after yourself whilst studying and working

Date: Thursday 16 October

Time: 1-2PM

Location: Online

Balancing study, work, and everything else life throws at you can be tough - and for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic postgraduate researchers, there can be extra pressures that often go unspoken. This session is all about creating space to talk openly about self-care, what it really looks like day-to-day, and how to look after your wellbeing both in your studies and in the workplace. We’ll share experiences, explore practical tips, and think about how to build self-care into your routine in a way that actually works for you.

Guest Speaker -Fran Quintyne-Peart (Wellbeing Advisor and Psychotherapeutic Counsellor)


Past events:

Watch our previous events in the career seminar series here!


We value your feedback. Share your thoughts on any sessions you have attended by clicking the link below, and as a thank you, you'll be entered to win a . Your input helps us improve and enhance your experience.

Leave feedback for our career seminar series