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The University of Southampton
Working as a Researcher

Career support

Researchers at the University of Southampton have access to comprehensive career development support throughout the different stages of their professional journey. The Centre for Higher Education Practice works closely with Careers Employability and Student Enterprise to offer resources, workshops and coaching to support researchers with their career development. 

Prosper

Prosper is an innovative approach to researcher career development that seeks to unlock researchers’ potential to thrive across multiple career pathways – both within and beyond academia. 

As a researcher, you can use the Prosper Portal to figure out what you want from your career, explore opportunities beyond academia, and develop in-demand skills. The Prosper Portal is specially designed to target research staff with a PhD, known as ‘post-docs’. However, if you do research without a PhD, the portal is available to you too!
As well as the Prosper portal, the University of Southampton offers in-person coached programmes throughout the year which are advertised on our Prosper SharePoint page.
 

Beyond the Doctorate

Early career researchers – defined as those within six years of completing their PhD and within six years of their first academic appointment – are eligible to access the ‘Beyond the Doctorate’ programme.

The University of Southampton ‘Beyond the Doctorate’ programme consists of workshops, events and resources to support researchers to reflect on the skills and experience they have gained, plan their careers and secure appropriate employment or further study. 

Our 'Beyond the Doctorate' offer for Postgraduate Researchers and Early Career Researchers includes: 

To access all of the above, log into MyCareer today.

Evolve: Your Next Step in Leadership

Launching April 2026, Evolve is an 18-month programme for mid-career research staff, designed to boost wellbeing, define success, and unlock career growth. With just four days of total commitment, you’ll join a launch event and six engaging gatherings focused on collaborative development and transformational thinking. Take charge of your future – discover new perspectives and ambitious possibilities with Evolve. 

Become a career mentor

Do you want to inspire others by passing on your unique experience, career knowledge and expertise? The Career Mentoring Programme gives you the opportunity to support our students and recent graduates through their transition from study into employment.
 
Share insights about your career so far with those who are just starting their career journeys by applying to become a career mentor for undergraduates.

Training resources

MyCareer

Early Career Researchers can browse and book different sessions such as: Beyond the Doctorate workshops, 1:1s, the Researchers Careers Day and a number of other careers events we facilitate throughout the year.

 

Prosper Portal

As a researcher, you can use the Prosper Portal to figure out what you want from your career, explore opportunities beyond academia, and develop in-demand skills.

 

LinkedIn Learning

Your University account also gives you access to a wide range of videos through the LinkedIn Learning online library.

 
 

Very helpful, knowledgeable talk. It was useful to hear about the different routes to take

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