Birmingham Researcher

Researchers are ‘Individuals whose primary responsibility is to conduct research and who are employed for this purpose.’

You make a significant contribution to our success as a leading University. The University is committed to supporting you in achieving your full potential and there is a wealth of resources and guidance to support you in your current research role and support your on-going personal and professional development. This commitment is underpinned by the principles of the Concordat to support the career development of Researchers.

We also recognise that ‘Research Staff’ refers to a wide range of colleagues with:

different disciplinary backgrounds
varying levels of training
a wide variety of different experiences and responsibility types
different types of contract (fixed or open ended, full or part time)
diverse career expectations

Supporting your research

We know that identifying sources of research funding, making grant applications and managing awards are major preoccupations for research staff. This page is here to help you every step of the way.

Sources of funding

Guidance and resources to help you find research funding:

Research Support Services
The University team provides information and guidance on research funding opportunities to all academic staff. They support academic staff through the complex process of applying for European Union funding and other international research funding and support the projects once they are awarded.

Funding opportunities & resources
Information on the variety of funding opportunities available from all research funders.

Research Professional
A leading search engine providing funding news for Research Professionals. Register for regular email updates for funding in your area.

Support and guidance

Research Support Group home page

Research support when developing proposals

Guide to Full Economic Costing

Ethics and governance

The University's Research Code of Practice (PDF - 72kB)

The Ethics Team can provide research staff with information or guidance about the University’s ethical review process.

Research Governance information covering university sponsorship, application to NRES ethics committees and advice on regulatory requirements.

Research Excellence Framework

Managing your research career

The University fosters a community of highly-skilled, dynamic researchers who feel positive about their research and about their career prospects. There are many resources available to you and this page aims to act as a directory to some of those resources.

Vodcasts

We have produced an exclusive suite of tailored vodcast resources that will help colleagues to:

Share knowledge and experiences on major career development issues
Offer advice and support in achieving research career milestones
Provide a unique insight into the different career pathways open to research staff

University resources

Staff Development Homepage

Performance and development review schemes

Job vacancies at the University of Birmingham

The Concordat

The University of Birmingham fully recognises the contribution that researchers make to its success as a leading University. Our Strategic Framework identifies a commitment to attracting, retaining and celebrating talent; growing leadership capacity – specifically research leadership; increasing engagement within and external to the University. These themes clearly align with the Principles of The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

The University first attained The HR Excellence in Research Award on September 5th 2011 and was re-accredited in May 2016. This recognises our ongoing commitment to The Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers.

The Concordat sets out the expectations and responsibilities of researchers, their managers, employers and funders. It aims to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of research careers in the UK and to improve the quantity, quality and impact of research for the benefit of UK society and the economy.

As part of our commitment to HR Excellence, and following our reaccreditation in May 2016, we continue to review our practice against “The Concordat” and have submitted a review of progress against our 2018-2020 Action Plan and a revised plan for the next two years. Below are summary and detailed reviews of actions against the 2018 - 2020 plan, and a revised plan to 2022. The Action Plan will be monitored by the Researcher Development and Support Group working in collaboration with College researcher and early career support groups, the HR Leadership Team and reporting to the University Research Committee.

UoB Concordat Action Plan 2018-2020 Detailed Review

UoB RS Concordat Summary Review 2018-2020 Final

UoB Concordat Action Plan 2020-2022 Final

Previous documents can be accessed below:

UOB RS Concodart Action Plan 2015-2017 Review

UOB RS Concordat Action Plan 2018-2020

UOB RS Concordat Summary Review 2015-2017 - Jan 2018

UoB Concordat 4yr Review April 2016 PDF
Concordat Actions Detailed Review Sept 2015 PDF
Concordat Action Plan 2015-17 Revised April 2016 PDF

Concordat Actions Review Summary Sept 2013 PDF
Concordat Actions Detailed Review Sept 2013 PDF
Concordat Revised Action Plan 2013 – 2015 PDF

UoB Concordat Actions June 2011 PDF
UoB Concordat Review Summary June 2011 PDF

The Action Plan will be monitored by the Researcher Development Support Group working in collaboration with College researcher support groups and HR Leadership Team, and reporting to the University Research Committee.

The Concordat to Support the Career Developments of Researchers was re-launched in September 2019. The University is currently reviewing its provisions against the revised principles and will make an announcement in early 2020.

The full version of the Concordat.