The mid-career phase of a research career is a time of change and growth, and one that can present new challenges as you transition from project to program leadership and expand your teams and collaborations. This program will equip you with practical skills to strategically plan your growing research program, efficiently and effectively manage research at scale, and build relationships and lead others.  

Target audience

The program is targeted at those who identify as mid-career researchers and have an increased level of independence and research leadership, such as leading research programs that are larger in scale in size, scope and/or reach. 

Up to 25 participants will be selected through a brief application process.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply, the following criteria must be met:

• Identify as being in mid career in relation to their research work
• Be employed by the University of Sydney on a fixed-term or continuing contract

You must also be:

• an academic staff member at Level C or D and/or
• 8+ years post-PhD (accounting for career disruption)

Priority will be given to those who can commit to attending 3 or more workshops in full.

The program consists of 5 half day (9:15 am - 12:45 pm) in person workshops on the Camperdown campus:

• Session 1 - 5 August 2026: Thriving as a Mid Career Researcher
• Session 2 - 19 August 2026: Communication for promoting a positive research culture
• Session 3 - 2 September 2026: Planning and leading your research strategy
• Session 4 - 16 September 2026: Research management in practice
• Session 5 - 14 October 2026: Navigating power and purpose in academia

For more information, University of Sydney staff can view this overview.