The University of Liverpool is leading the way in introducing a comprehensive promotion pathway for specialist technical and research support staff.
The Research Technical Professional Career Pathway has been developed to meet three aims: recruitment, retention and recognition. It supports the Technician Commitment action plan for the University and some of the key recommendations from the UKRI / Research England TALENT Commission report.
The University has a cohort of highly skilled specialist staff that are essential to the support of our research, such as developing methodology, technology and research facilities. Their expertise and contribution cannot currently be recognised under our existing pathway as they do not fit the traditional progression route for academics.
Employed in a wide range of roles, this pathway has been developed to enable the University to reward, retain and provide recognition for our staff, as well as grow our own talent and give a clearer route to develop a technical specialist career.
Sector leading
Professor Ian Prior, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Technology, Infrastructure and Environment) at the University of Liverpool’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences said: “We are excited to be able to introduce a sector leading pathway that properly recognises and rewards the contributions of the specialist staff that underpin so much of our research and teaching. We are happy to work with organisations across the sector who want to introduce similar schemes so that we can refine together and get the best career pathway options for all of our staff.”
Dr Kelly Vere MBE, Programme Director, Technician Commitment (Science Council) said: “Technical skills and expertise are essential to UK research and innovation. I’m thrilled that the University of Liverpool are the first in the country to launch a dedicated Research Technical Professional Career Pathway – a new promotional pathway for technical specialists. This was a key recommendation of the Research England funded TALENT Commission (published in February 2022) and aligns strongly with the Technician Commitment’s aims to advance visibility, recognition and career development opportunities for the technical community in UK higher education and research.”
“The University of Liverpool’s innovative approach is sector leading and provides recognition and progression for specialist technical careers across disciplines. We’re excited to work with the University of Liverpool as they further develop and share this beacon activity with the wider sector.”
Launch event
The pathway was launched at an event on Tuesday, 2 February at the University of Liverpool where attendees found about the advantages for both the individual and the University.
A video of the event is available to view below:
Find out more
Further information about the Research Technical Professional Career Pathway is available by viewing the online brochure or visiting https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/researcher/technicians-hub/Research-Technical-Professional-Career-Pathway-Launch/
To download a copy of this brochure for free please fill in the following request form.
For further questions or queries please contact: RTPCareerPathway@liverpool.ac.uk