Careers Support for Research Staff
The dedicated careers support available to research staff at the University of Oxford
Changes to dedicated careers support for research staff from 1 August 2026
The dedicated Careers Service provision for research staff at the University of Oxford will end on 31 July 2026, as the funding that supports this service is not being renewed.
From 1 August 2026, research staff will no longer be able to book one-to-one careers advice appointments, attend dedicated Careers events, receive dedicated careers newsletters, access CareerConnect, or request Careers Service talks and workshops delivered exclusively for research staff.
Postgraduate students are not affected by this change.
The Oxford University Careers Service offers tailored support to University research staff at all stages of their career, whether they are exploring their options, looking to boost their employability, or polishing an application until 31 July 2026.
Video introduction: Careers support for researchers at the University of Oxford
https://www.youtube.com/embed/J3IO0Iq3d_A?si=abtwoBbq5_L0blsv
CareerConnectNewslettersAdvice appointmentsEventsCareer briefings
How to access CareerConnect
The CareerConnect platform is exclusive to Oxford University students, alumni and current research staff, and it allows you to search upcoming career events, book advice appointments, and find opportunities.
Registration only takes a few minutes. We recommend that you use your University email address (@ox.ac.uk) to ensure we can register you for online events easily, and you can access our tools such as Career Weaver, and opt in to receive targeted information from the Careers Service in order to get our regular newsletters.
- Research staff on a grade 6-9 fixed-term research contract: If you are a member of Oxford’s Research Staff, you can sign up by completing the New User Registration form - Research Staff. Once the account is confirmed, you can simply Login to CareerConnect.
- Other research staff: We have very limited capacity to offer careers support to University staff and associates beyond our official remit. However, we may be able to grant you access to the platform. Find out more about CareerConnect access for other research staff.
Read more about how to make the most of CareerConnect.
Newsletter for researchers
Oxford researchers can receive regular updates by opting in to receive the Careers Service researcher newsletter. To opt in, select 'Yes' to 'Receive targeted information from the Careers Service' in CareerConnect, on the 'Update Details' page.
Advice appointments
Oxford University research staff have access to confidential advice appointments where you can discuss your current career plans, some alternative options and how to explore viable routes or transitions most effectively. We can also support with guidance on networking, CV-writing, applications or interview preparation.
Research staff on a grade 6-9 fixed-term research contract at Oxford University may book a 30 minute appointment with the careers advisers for research staff. The appointments can be booked in CareerConnect as 'Appointments for Research Staff' and are made available to book up to four weeks in advance.
Events
The Careers Service runs a wide range of online and in person bespoke events and programmes for research staff. Researchers also have access to sessions from our wider programme, and a host of employer-run sessions available to browse in the Events section of CareerConnect.
We run practical workshops each term on subjects such as:
- Strategy and skills workshops
- Career management
- Academic progression
- Transitioning beyond academia
- Cringe-free networking
- CVs/cover letters
- Fellowship applications
- Interview technique
- Tips on engaging with employers at pre-fair ‘Researchers @’ sessions.
Browse the careers events for University of Oxford research students and staff run by the Careers Service and register for all that you wish to attend.
Careers Beyond Academia: Options and Pathways for Researchers
Monday 23 March - Thursday 26 March 2026, online and in Oxford
Run by the Careers Service's expert careers advisers, Careers Beyond Academia: Options and Pathways for Researchers is a FREE conference that offers Oxford University researchers the chance to join online panel talks with PhD holders and former academic researchers speaking frankly about their daily working lives in a variety of sectors, attend an in-person networking event, and take part in interactive workshops to help you identify skills and strategies for optimising your career preparedness.
The 2026 conference will feature information sessions, workshops, and guest speaker talks, and will culminate with an in-person panel event and the Careers Fair for Researchers.
Career guidance webpages
If you are not sure where to start with your career planning, our bespoke guidance pages for researchers tackle typical questions and concerns raised by postdocs and other early career researchers, plus those who have been in post for longer.
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