Ensure that the newly appointed researcher:

  • knows who his/her day-to-day supervisor is, if he/she is joining a large research group;
  • knows who has been appointed as his/her mentor;
  • if from overseas, has access to information on any personal matters such as housing, banking, health care and social security. (The University provides 'information for new staff' online; your department may provide additional information: ask your departmental administrator, or equivalent);
  • has access to appropriate computing and any research facilities required by the role.

You should ensure that the newly appointed researcher has been included in departmental induction arrangements. A summary of information which new members of research staff should receive is included in the career management tool. You may wish to ask your new colleague to refer to the career management tool and to check that s/he has received this information. For your reference, this list includes:

  • any information about research and publication protocols and codes of practice in the department. (Note that researchers must be made aware at the earliest stage possible of any constraints relating to access to, ownership, control, sharing and re-use of research data. Not doing so may give rise to disputes and complaints at later stages);
  • information about resources such as libraries, technical assistance, lab facilities and materials;
  • information about departmental/School training and development provision for researchers.

Departmental information will be augmented by information which researchers will receive in the contract packs issued by HR, i.e.:

  • a web link to the Employment and Career Management Scheme for Researchers and to the Career Management Tool for Researchers;
  • a web link to the University Staff Guide: Academic, academic-related and research staff (which includes relevant University policies, including guidelines on good research practice, intellectual property rights, health and safety and financial regulations);
  • an information sheet on USS and a pensions option form;
  • a postcard pointing to the University's online modules on induction, equality and diversity, and health and safety;
  • information about training and career development support for researchers at Cambridge, including the Careers Service, which hosts a team of careers advisers for research staff, CPPD's research staff development programme, PdOC, the Research Office, Newcomers and Visiting Scholars Group and the Computing Service.