Unlocking Northern Ireland's research talent
Postdoctoral researchers working in universities are a valuable asset for Northern Ireland, bringing advanced analytical skills, creativity, and research expertise that can drive innovation across academia, industry, government, public services, and the third sector. Yet many remain unaware of the breadth of opportunities available to them beyond traditional academic careers.
This project aimed at supporting postdoctoral researchers recognise their transferable skills, explore diverse career pathways, and connect with opportunities across sectors. By strengthening career development and increasing visibility of this talent pool, the project aimed to help retain highly skilled researchers and unlock their potential to contribute to Northern Ireland's economic and societal growth.
Note: career development support for QUB and UU postdocs is maintained beyond the 2024-26 Wellcome-funded period, but this page is no longer used to advertise upcoming opportunities. Communications are provided by each university’s usual channels.
A new Research Careers and Employability Officer for the region
Jill McClenaghan was hired as Research Careers and Employability Officer, to deliver the objectives of the project and introduce a suite of career support for postdoctoral researchers at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. Jill was based at Queen’s, and her post was extended by the university beyond the Wellcome-funded period, enabling her to continue supporting all NI postdocs.
Jill supports postdoctoral researchers to explore career opportunities beyond academia, providing guidance on job applications, interview preparation, and career planning. She also leads initiatives to better prepare postdocs for future career transitions through a range of training and professional development opportunities designed to strengthen transferable skills and enhance employability.
Jill engages with employers across Northern Ireland, both established recruiters of postdocs and organisations new to the conversation to promote the exceptional postdoctoral talent available across Northern Ireland’s two universities.
Before joining the Research Culture team in June 2024, Jill worked in the private sector and brings with her extensive experience in early career development as well as running employability programmes in partnership with government bodies and local higher education institutions.
Jill has established relationships with Queen’s and Ulster as a previous key graduate employer.
Career workshops and learning sessions
Opportunities to develop career skills were provided, from full- and half-day hands-on in-person workshops, to short and snappy lunch and learn sessions online. These were attended by a total of 119 postdoctoral researchers from Queen’s and Ulster in 2024-26.
Sessions included:
Career audit, skills for the future
Decision making: career choices
Overcoming imposter phenomenon
Identity Matters
Hone and develop in demand skills
Resilience and stress management
Feedback:
Feedback was consistently positive, with an average rating of 4.3/5 across sessions and 100 % of attendees said they would recommend the workshops to colleagues.
“It was a really interesting and informative session” (Participant, Building Resilience for Research careers, 2026)
Employer engagement events
Employer engagement events enabled postdoctoral researchers to hear directly from employers about career opportunities outside academia and the skills they value in candidates. These events typically included presentations and panel discussions, in addition to organised networking. Postdocs got the opportunity to directly network in small groups with former postdocs and PhDs now working in a range of roles and organisations, asking questions and making connections. PhD candidates from both universities were also invited to these events.
Three such highly-interactive events were organised over the funded period:
Careers in the Public Sector: the event brought together researchers from across disciplines and representatives from a range of public sector departments, including the Department for the Economy, Public Health Agency and NI Civil Service (More details in the Careers in public sector event blog).
Connecting computing researchers with industry: the event focused on computer science postdocs and brought together employers such as Visa, BT, PwC, B-Secur, and AICC (More details in the Connecting computing researchers with industry event blog).
Career pathways in creative technologies for postdocs: the event focused on creative arts and was held at Studio Ulster, including employers such as CoSTAR screen lab, Yellow Design, HoloEdge, Poli Vision, Humain, Animotive, NI Screen and Ludo dao CIC (More details in the Career pathways in creative technologies event blog).
Altogether, employer engagement events attracted 110 postdoctoral researchers and positive feedback.
“It was a great event, and it was invaluable to hear the industry side of things, to hear what they would be looking for, to get insights into how best to get your research, and skills across. Really worthwhile.” (Attendee, Connecting computing researchers with industry, 2026)
“An excellent insight into public sector working – thanks for organising. I would now feel more confident to make an application.” (Attendee, Careers in Public Sector event, 2025
Career exploration interviews
Postdoctoral researchers and PhD candidates from both universities were invited to attend interviews of former postdocs, now working in a range of roles and sectors, in and outside of academia. Conducted by Jill McClenaghan, these were delivered online, giving participants the opportunity to engage with the speakers through a Q&A session at the end of each interview. The recordings were subsequently edited and released as part of The Theory of the Postdoc Evolution podcast series, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts , and the PDC website. Guest speakers discussed diverse career journeys, from scientists moving into industry and women building academic careers in engineering, to professionals transitioning from medical research to patent law and from social science to research support.
Interviews/podcast episodes included:
Lawrence Eagling: setting up a business
Victoria Simms: balancing an academic career
Chris McCallum: Should I stay or should I go?
Anthony Kavanagh: Patently novel careers - Science, Law and Licensing
Su Taylor: Bridge to the future
Craig Davison: From cancer research to biotechnology
Sara Cordeiro: From lab to life - crafting an unplanned academic career
Ruth Flanagan: From Social Science and sex research support - rebuilding identity beyond academia
Julia Miskelly: Can a scientist become an industry success? Yes!
Adam Russell-Hallinan: Data and discovery - how research shapes your career
Olivia Nippe: A career in research integrity unpacked!
Overall, 11 interviews were delivered, totalling 190 attendees.
“Jill did a great job of making the interview just feel like a chat whilst still asking the most important questions to which Olivia provided really useful answers. Has piqued my interest about a career in research integrity!” (Attendee, Career exploration interview, 2026)
“I really enjoyed the session. Ana's career path was so interesting and I especially valued that Ana was so kind to share a lot of personal information regarding children, family and work life balance which was so interesting and provided lots of thoughts for my own career.” (Attendee, Career exploration interview 2025)
One to one personalised support
Postdoctoral researchers are experts in their research subject, but can feel lost when it comes to researching career options and translating their skills and experience to the job market. Each situation is unique, and, while the learning sessions, career exploration and networking opportunities help, some tailored one-to-one support can make all the difference to an individual. Jill McClenaghan provided one-to-one support to Queen’s and Ulster postdocs, including general career discussions, feedback on crafting a tailored CV, cover letter, or application for a role, as well as interview preparation and mock interviews.
Over the course of the two funded years of the project, Jill delivered 59 individual support sessions, including 18 application preparation support, 16 interview support, and 25 career discussions and other topics.
Feedback:
“I was successful in my application for Lecturer in Physical Geography at the University of Manchester! I found out recently and signed the contract today. Thank you for all your invaluable help in the preparation!” (one-to-one support beneficiary)
“I wanted to just say thanks again for yesterday. I know it was time consuming for both of you to prepare so thoroughly – I am very appreciative. Your feedback was extremely helpful. Your role is really making a big difference to me on a personal level. I think it is important and significant work you are both doing. I feel much less anxious about my interview now and will move forward with more confidence." (mock interview beneficiary)
Case Study - Dr Natalie Fisher
A career conversation with Jill McClenaghan helped Natalie explore opportunities beyond academia.
To support this exploration, Jill encouraged Natalie to attend a public sector careers event that she was organising. The event provided an excellent opportunity for networking and information gathering, leading to a conversation with a public sector representative who highlighted a relevant vacancy.
Natalie sought one-to-one support from Jill to develop her application and prepare for her interview. She was successful, securing a position as a Senior Data Scientist at the HSC Data Institute, demonstrating how networking and targeted career development can facilitate successful transitions from research into the public sector.
Natalie reflected on her experience:
“Thank you so much for helping me prep for the interview. Everything you touched on was spot on for the interview and the guidance for prep really made all the difference. The public sector careers event gave me the confidence and contacts to go for the role too, so thank you so much for organising the event"
"This experience has increased my confidence and I now feel better equipped to manage similar situations in the future as I have the skills and improved resilience."