To read this content please select one of the options below:

Training needs of early career researchers in research-intensive universities

Debasrita Bhakta (Exult Infosolutions, Pune, India)
Ellen Boeren (University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK)

International Journal for Researcher Development

ISSN: 2048-8696

Article publication date: 9 May 2016

1547

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the training needs of early career researchers (ECRs) in British research-intensive universities. This paper presents a new measurement scale constructed based on the Vitae Researcher Development Framework (a national framework in the UK to help researchers plan their training and development pathways) that disseminates ECRs’ training needs according to the four vitae development domains.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the result of a survey organised among ECRs who were asked to fill-in an online questionnaire, which included a newly developed measurement scale. Training needs are analysed based on 57 respondents working in British research-intensive universities and having obtained their PhDs not more than five years prior to the survey.

Findings

This paper offers an insight into the experiences of ECRs in research-intensive universities in relation to their training needs, which are very much centred around the notion of becoming a subject-specific expert, who is able to attract research funding and lead and manage these projects, including the successful supervision of students.

Originality/value

The current academic environment is extremely competitive, and as in other segments of the labour market, it is vital that ECRs recognise the need of continuous training to maintain their competitive status in the knowledge-based economy. This paper is original, as it disseminates a new measurement scale and provides fresh empirical results on the training needs of ECRs in British research-intensive universities.

Keywords

Citation

Bhakta, D. and Boeren, E. (2016), "Training needs of early career researchers in research-intensive universities", International Journal for Researcher Development, Vol. 7 No. 1, pp. 84-102. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJRD-06-2015-0017

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Related articles