Glossary

A concerted drive, consisting of multiple activities, to promote the importance of RCD among your staff and researchers. For recommendations on what this should include please refer to section 4 of the EURAXESS RCD model report.

A trained individual who can provide guidance and support to researchers on vocational issues.

The third of three RCD service levels in the EURAXESS RCD model including some degree of face-to-face support for researchers. Please refer to the RCD model report for more information.

The framework through which EURAXESS RCD services will be delivered as described in the RCD model report.

The first of three RCD service levels in the EURAXESS RCD model which possible to deliver using resources freely available through the EURAXESS website. Please refer to the RCD model report for more information.

The second of three RCD service levels in the EURAXESS RCD model. Please refer to the RCD model report for more information.

A personal guide providing one-to-one counselling and guidance to researchers on how to plan and manage their career development. There are many models used for coaching but it is commonly considered that the coach guides learning rather than teaching directly. 

An agreement that EURAXESS member organisations sign to confirm their alignment with the mission of the EURAXESS Network and the responsibilities it entails.

The online location for the tools and resources available through the EURAXESS website.

A particular section of the EURAXESS extranet that hosts e-training resources for service centre staff.

A EURAXESS project designed to strengthen relationships between industry and academia by increasing employer engagement through expertise, practical toolkits, benchmarking surveys and workshops.

The application of game-playing to meet other objectives, such as the encouragement of researchers to engage with RCD services.

A comparison of the actual services provided in a particular area with an optimal set of services (for example as defined in a framework such as the Vitae RDF, or a bespoke RDF created using the REFLEX app), to highlight areas for development.

Entities established to support start-ups through their early months in ways ranging from affordable facilities and funding, to direct management and training.

The movement of researchers (or industrial specialists) between academic and other sectors.

An experienced adviser in a particular area (for example career development) who can explain key details to those with less experience.

Mobility means to move around. In the context of EURAXESS this can mean researchers moving between institutions, but it can also be applied to researchers moving between sectors, disciplines or roles.

A toolkit of resources to researchers new to RCD that helps then identify what's important to them in relation to their career, and then plan to build on their skills and knowledge accordingly whilst considering a wide range of career options.

A project designed to build capacity within the EURAXESS network to support researchers in the proactive development of their career paths through the provision of tools and training, selected and developed through stakeholder engagement and dialogue.

A stage in a researcher’s career up to PhD level that includes individuals doing research under supervision in industry, research institutes or universities.

A stage in a researcher’s career covering those who have completed their PhDs and are considered a recognised researcher, but are not yet fully independent.

A stage in a researcher’s career describing those who have developed a level of independence and can described as an established researcher.

A stage in a researcher’s career where they can be termed a ‘leading researcher’. This would include the team leader of a research group or head of an industry R&D laboratory.

AResearcher Development Framework is an agreed structure against which researchers can plan continuing professional development. The Vitae RDF is a well-established version or you can use the REFLEX to create your own bespoke RDF.

A EURAXESS project designed to build a flexible researcher development framework that can be adapted to particular organisations’ local requirements.

A set of tools and resources developed to support EURAXESS member organisations provide RCD services to the most basic level of the EURAXESS careers development model.

Research Performing Organisations are any organisation that hosts and supports researchers (including both academic and industrial researchers).

A process through which researchers identify the areas in which they need to further develop their knowledge, skills and experience.

An online tool (see No Limits) available on the EURAXESS website that helps researchers carry out a self-assessment.

A downloadable template for researchers to create a portfolio of research and transferrable skills evidence. It will complement a researcher’s career development plan by supporting them identify the skills needed for particular roles, tailor their CV to specific roles and provide a basis for meetings with career advisors and coaches. This is currently still in development.

An organisational exercise which identifies gaps in training provision, the training needs and priorities of individuals, and solutions to aid the introduction of additional training interventions.

The researcher development framework developed by Vitae to describe the knowledge, behaviour and attributes of successful researchers.