Graduate Research Students registered with the Department of Paediatrics will be given support and monitoring during their study in Oxford. Support will be provided through the department, the Medical Sciences Division and the University and for the majority of students located in one of the various Research Institutes (Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, Centre for Clinical Vaccinology & Tropical Medicine), some provision for support will be integral to that institute. Details of support provided are given below. 

1. Supervision of graduate’s work

You will have a named supervisor or supervisors, normally as indicated in your offer letter, who will have overall responsibility for the direction of your work on behalf of your department. You will also have a supervisory team consisting of your supervisor, Director of Graduate Studies, or senior members of research staff within your laboratory and usually an advisor.  You should expect to have a one to one formal meeting with your primary supervisor at least twice a term where your research and progress will be reviewed and the contents of the termly submitted supervision report discussed and agreed.  You should also have more frequent meetings with a member of your supervisory team. 

2. Induction arrangements

For students starting in October, the main induction to the department is provided at the start of their first term by the host Research Institute. Other arrangements will be made for students starting at other times of the year. Your supervisor(s) will arrange more specialised induction subsequently.

3. Workspace

Workspace will be related to individual circumstances. If undertaking experimental work, you will be provided with bench space in a laboratory. If undertaking theoretical research, you will have shared office space.

4.  IT support/ library facilities/ experimental facilities

You will have access to the Division’s IT support (IMSU & OUCS), University Library services such as the Bodleian Health Care Libraries, and experimental facilities are available as appropriate to the research topic.  The provision of other resources specific to your project should be agreed with your supervisor as a part of the planning stages of the agreed project.

5. Research seminars

You will have access to the seminars that individual research groups or groups with common areas of interest organise for their own members and others. Regular seminars on topics of interest to a varied scientific audience will be made available to students by the host Research Institute. You will also have access to the other departmental seminars and colloquia within the University.

6. Access to research funds

You will find that limited departmental funds are available to assist with attendance at conferences based upon any allocated funds via individual research group/supervisors. Please contact the Departmental Administrator (alex.holmes@paediatrics.ox.ac.uk) for advice.

7. Graduate skills training

You will have the opportunity and are strongly advised to attend a variety of skills training sessions offered by the Medical Sciences Division and your host Research Institute as appropriate to different stages of your graduate career. These will include training on writing and presentation skills, the use of library resources and careers advice. Details of courses organised by the Division are emailed to students via their departments.  

Information about transferable skills training, divisional training, personal development and other courses is all provided in the Division’s Skills Portal it also includes a searchable database of skills training opportunities, links to articles on subjects such as project management, teaching and career planning, and message boards for asking questions and discussing issues with other researchers.  

Some research specific training will also be provided by the host Research Institute.

8. Opportunities for developing and practising teaching skills (for second and third year graduates)

Division’s Skills Portal also provides information on courses which support the development of research students who wish to follow an academic career, including training in teaching skills.

Graduate Students in their second or later year of study will have the opportunity to present at an annual Paediatrics Research Day attended by all of the research groups within the Department of Paediatrics.

Following discussion with the supervisor there will be a possibility to undertake training for laboratory demonstrating, and a course is also available for teaching assistantships. There may also be opportunities to undertake tutorial teaching in colleges.

9. Arrangements for accommodation, meals and social facilities

Department: Research students can use the cafeteria or catering facilities on the host institutional site. This encourages interaction between research groups in the relevant institute. The Paediatrics Research Day brings research students together with academic and other research staff in the department to hear about on-going research, and provide an opportunity for networking.

College: Many colleges will be able to provide you with at least one year’s accommodation.  Generally speaking your college will provide meals throughout the year, but provision will vary from college to college, especially during vacations, and you will need to familiarise yourself with your college’s detailed arrangements. In addition there are usually self-catering facilities available in graduate accommodation.  You will be a member of the Middle Common Room, or equivalent, of your college, which is the main social centre for graduates.  The MCR provides a common room and usually organises a programme of social events throughout the year. The college will also provide a bar, some computing facilities and a library, and may often have dedicated funds for research (conference and field grants). It also represents the interests of its members to the college through an elected Committee or through elected representatives to College Committees.  Again, details will vary from college to college.  Graduates are also welcome to participate in all other social and sporting activities of the college.  Please see individual college websites for further details about all aspects of college provision.

Central: Graduate Research Students may become members of the University Club in Mansfield Road, and participate in the range of sporting activities provided by the University.

10. Arrangements for pastoral and welfare support

Department: Within the Department, your supervisor, Director of Graduate Studies and Departmental Administrator are all available to offer support. Student views and concerns can be communicated to the Departmental Director of Graduate Studies. In addition you may report your views and concerns to the Divisional Graduate Joint Consultative Committee.

 College: There is an extensive framework of support for graduates within each college.  Your college will allocate to you a College Advisor from among its Senior Members, usually in a cognate subject, who will arrange to see you from time to time and whom you may contact for additional advice and support on academic and other matters.  In college you may also approach the Tutor for Graduates and/or the Senior Tutor for advice.  The Tutor for Graduates is a fellow of the college with particular responsibility for the interests and welfare of graduate students.  In some colleges, the Senior Tutor will also have the role of Tutor for Graduates.  Each college will also have other named individuals who can offer individual advice.  The University also has a professionally staffed confidential Student Counselling Service which offers assistance with personal, emotional, social and academic problems.

 Central: The University provides a Student Counselling Service and Careers Service.