Be a part of our award-winning ‘How to Thrive and Survive in your PhD’ initiative!
Recognised across HE institutions as a leading example for Postgraduate support, The University of York’s Thrive and Survive initiative was set up to facilitate peer-peer support for PhDs, through panel discussions and community building. The aim of the initiative is to boost wellbeing for all UoY PhDs, through access to support and peer guidance from a vibrant and diverse community. Thrive and Survive also enables a community of knowledge sharing, allowing tips, tricks and best practice to be passed from one generation to the next.
We’re looking for a current UoY PhD Researcher (or recent UoY post-doc) who is passionate about research culture and building a community of support for PhDs at York. As our Thrive & Survive Coordinator, you will have the opportunity to build and deliver a series of peer-peer support workshops. While you’ll receive administrative support and guidance from the BRIC Team, we’re looking for an individual who can take the lead on this ongoing project – respecting its origins and goals, while bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. We envision the Thrive & Survive Coordinator as a positive role model, someone who can lead the community and be an advocate for Research Culture and the PhD community at York.
While the initiative currently exists as a series of peer-led workshops, we’re keen to hear from individuals who have different perspectives, and new, innovative ideas on how to foster a supportive community for PhD Researchers at York.
In return, you’ll have the chance to put your mark on this prestigious initiative, and give back to the PhD community at York. You’ll gain valuable experience in leadership, project management, communications and social media, organising and delivering training sessions, and networking & collaboration. The transferable skills you will develop are widely applicable to a range of jobs, both within and beyond academia.
Key responsibilities:
- Recruitment of panel speakers, development of resources, coordination and chairing of 4-6 x 90-minute on-campus ‘Thrive and Survive’ sessions throughout 2023/24
- Evaluation of the sessions and identification of improvements based on feedback
- Implementation of a communications plan including writing YGRS blog posts, newsletters and other promotional content for social media
- To build the ‘Thrive and Survive’ community through various engagement activities (for example taking part in the PGR Induction event)
- Contribution to relevant discussions about PGR life and wellbeing along with the GSA and College reps
Experience and Skills:
- Organisation, Communication, Relationship Building
- Experience of facilitating PGR or student learning
- A commitment and enthusiasm to supporting a thriving researcher community
Terms and Conditions
This is a fixed term appointment until July 2024. The appointed coordinator will work with the YGRS and the BRIC Team and be paid £14.91/hr, up to a maximum of 8 hours per session. The coordinator will be contracted for a maximum of 64 hours per academic year pro-rata.
The ‘How to Thrive and Survive in your PhD’ workshop series typically includes open fora on:
How to Thrive and Survive in your PhD x 2 (aimed mainly at new PGRs).
How to Thrive and Survive as an International student
How to Thrive and Survive in Public Engagement
How to Thrive and Survive focus on Health and Wellbeing
How to Thrive and Survive Fieldwork
How to Thrive and Survive your Viva
The following workshops are scheduled for the remainder of the academic year 2022/23:
‘Bumps’ In the Road (5th May 2023, 13:00-15:00)
Life after PhD (28th June 2023, 13:00-15:00)
Thriving and Surviving the Summer as a Researcher (9th August 2023, 13:00-15:00)
To apply:
Interested applicants should first speak to their supervisor/line manager about the opportunity and secure their support. As part of the application process, we require written support from PGR supervisors/line managers. Supervisors should provide their support in an email to bric@york.ac.uk with the subject header ‘Thrive and Survive Coordinator’.
To apply please complete the Application Form. Informal enquiries can be made to karen.clegg@york.ac.uk.
The deadline for applications is 22 March 2023. All applicants will be contacted by 24 March 2023. Successful applicants will be invited for an interview, via Zoom during the week commencing 3 April 2023.
The University is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds.
We particularly welcome applications from black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within our PGR community & YGRS support functions, and we would like to support individuals to become positive visible role models within the University of York.