Academic career advice

Tips and resources to help you build a successful career in academia. From skills development during your PhD to preparing for a role in university administration, all academic career steps are covered. Here, you will find advice on promoting your work, growing your professional reputation and developing collegiate networks to support your academic career progression - or to help you move into industry.

By Eliza.Compton , 3 April, 2026

An academic career is rarely a straight line

Neurons
A scientist’s path can include studying abroad, experience in industry, research and teaching as well as setbacks and uncertainty. Here, Kinga Vörös offers reflections as an early career neuroscientist and why the journey is most meaningful when research reaches patients
Reading time
4minutes
By Eliza.Compton , 2 April, 2026

Lessons from being academic chair of a complex department

Mangoes on a tree
Being a department head takes both emotional and cognitive energy to juggle people, programmes, contracts and institutional demands. But digging into skills such as trust-building and communication will bear fruit, writes Ben K. Daniel
Reading time
4minutes
By kiera.obrien , 30 March, 2026

From lab to market – part 1: finding investment

Scientists discuss a project with an investor in the lab
In the first part of this two-part series on investment and business planning for research spin-out companies, discover all you need to know about attracting venture capital
Reading time
5minutes
Academic career advice