RCUK today welcomed the Council for Science and Technology's (CST's) Report, Pathways to the future: the early career of researchers in the UK.
RCUK shares the CST's view that effective training and career management for researchers is important in maintaining the UK's excellent research base. The RCUK Research Careers and Diversity Strategy, published in January 2007, describes a number of initiatives that will improve career pathways and provide better support to researchers at the early stage of their careers.
A Revised Concordat to support the career management of researchers is also being developed; the adoption of its key principles and its effective implementation will be instrumental in responding to the Report's recommendations. RCUK has been leading the development of the Concordat.
The Research Councils recently announced the investment of over £15 million in a new researcher development programme to enhance the quality and output of the UK research base through training the next generation of world-class researchers. This funding will broaden the remit for the existing UK GRAD Programme.
A Careers in Research website, developed in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust and the Royal Society will be launched shortly. It will be aimed at PhD and early post-doctoral researchers, providing the support and advice they need.
RCUK recognises the need to provide researchers with opportunities to work with industry and overseas. The RCUK international strategy, published in July 2007, and ‘Increasing the Economic Impact of the Research Councils’, published in January 2007, set out the Research Councils’ plans to achieve this.