To help you settle into your new role, a structured induction plan is crucial. Your induction plan is tailored depending on the type of job you do. CAPOD coordinates the induction process for new staff by separating new staff into eight different categories depending on job role.
There are a number of different induction resources available to you in your new research role:
YOUR INDUCTION PLAN
Before you begin [section 1]
New Staff information pack
On-line induction resource
Reporting to the recruitment office
As soon as you begin [section 2]
School/Unit induction
In your first semester [section 3]
University induction for all new staff
Diversity Awareness
Your on-going development [section 4]
CAPOD
Early career academics’ mentoring scheme
Q6
1. Before you begin
New Staff Information Pack
Before you start work you will be sent your New Staff Information Pack which includes salary scales, pension details, removal/relocation expenses information etc.
Online Induction
This resource contains information about relocating to St Andrews, the town and the University, transport options, social activities and some key University staff.
Reporting to the Recruitment Office
Either in advance of your starting, or on your first morning you should report to the Recruitment Office in The Old Burgh School with your passport and copies of your qualifications. This will allow your Staff ID card to be created, which in turn enables you to set-up your IT Services account.
2. As soon as you begin
School Induction
On your first day, your Head of School/Principal Investigator should meet with you and take you through the induction checklist. This checklist lists some of the practical things you need to know and do, at a School level. In your first week, your Head of School/Principal Investigator should revisit the checklist and discuss School procedures, facilities and training or development needs. A copy of the induction checklist can be found on this page.
3. In your first semester
University Induction for All New Staff: This event is mandatory for all new staff
Within your first ten weeks there should be a University Induction course scheduled. In the shaded box on the front of this document you will find your Induction Plan, and the date of the University Induction to which you are invited is stated.
University Induction is a half-day event which gives you the opportunity to meet other new colleagues from all kinds of roles, representatives from the Office of the Principal and other key staff, and to learn more about the University and the town.
More information, and a programme can be found at:
www.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/ppd/Newstaffinduction/
Please note that you must register your place in advance, using your University IT username and password, via the online course booking system https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/pdms/
Diversity Awareness
The University of St Andrews benefits greatly from having such a diverse mixture of staff and students, and the University is committed to providing diversity awareness training for all staff. A diversity awareness session is included in the University induction course. However, if you are unable to attend University induction you should instead complete an on-line version of the course. More information is available here:
http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/ppd/Diversity/
4. Your on-going Development
Centre for Academic, Professional and Organisational Development (CAPOD)
CAPOD offers a variety of courses and resources which you can access.
GRADskills
CAPOD’s GRADskills programme provides Post-doctoral Researchers with a range of opportunities to continue to develop their personal, professional and career management skills as a researcher at the University of St Andrews. It aims to help early-stage researchers enhance their generic skills and competencies and thereby widen their scope for future employability inside and outside of academia.
GRADskills, in collaboration with the University of Dundee, also runs a programme of networking events for research staff. Each meeting is themed and allows participants to meet colleagues and listen to a guest speaker.
CAPOD also provides a range of services such as:
• An academic staff development programme, workshops on tutoring, demonstrating and assessment and HEA-accredited modules. Researchers undertaking some teaching at the University of St Andrews are encouraged to attend either the academic staff development programme or the workshops in place for Postgraduate Tutors/Demonstrators.
• Funding opportunities for external courses and innovation grant awards
• Pedagogical and technical advice on technology-enhanced learning, particularly Moodle.
For more information please visit: www.st-andrews.ac.uk/capod
Early Career Academic Mentoring Scheme
Research Staff can apply to join our cross-Institutional mentoring scheme (our partner is the University of Dundee). Early career academics are matched with an experienced academic who acts as a mentor for a 10-month period. Typically, mentees seek advice about career paths, current research and goal-setting.
For more information, contact capod@st-andrews.ac.uk or visit www.st-andrews.ac.uk/capod
Q6
Q6 is the University’s Review and Development scheme. This is a key opportunity to have a structured 1:1 discussion with your Head of School/Unit and a good forum to discuss your on-going development.
As part of the probation process, your Head of School/Unit should meet with you, within the first month of your employment, to agree questions 4 – 6 on the Q6 form. The purpose of this is to set down realistic objectives in relation to the role being undertaken. During your probationary period you will be asked to submit a response to questions 1 – 3 on your Q6 form. This is an opportunity to demonstrate progress to date and duties undertaken. At this time you should also complete new responses to questions 4 – 6 looking ahead to the next 12 months.
Important documents for staff who research
The University is proud to have been awarded the European Commission HR Excellence in Research award.
The award recognises that the University is committed to the principles laid out in theResearch Staff Concordat, which we encourage all new research staff to be familiar with.
Additionally, there are two further University documents to be aware of…
1. The document on Good Research Practice http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/media/Good_Research_Practice.pdf
2. The Code of Practice for the Employment and Management of research staff: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/policy/hr/CodeofPracticefortheEmploymentandManagement/
The gateway website for all internal research staff matters is here: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/staff/research/
Specific guidance for international researchers moving to the UK can be found here: http://www.britishcouncil.org/new/euraxess/Guide-for-international-researchers/