Researchers should be made aware that the skills and achievements required to move on from a research position may not be the same as the skills and achievements which they displayed to reach that position. Researchers should seek out appropriate opportunities to acquire new skills through experience, through attendance at conferences and academic networking, and training. Their supervisors should provide appropriate support.

In accordance with University policy on fixed-term contracts, all researchers should be kept informed about the state of funding for their post and project and about the likelihood of future funding or employment at the end of their current appointment. This is important information which helps researchers to plan their careers appropriately.

Researchers may aspire to academic careers; to research careers within or outside academia; or to careers which draw on their research skills, but do not have a specific research focus. Researchers have responsibility for managing and pursuing their own careers, in whichever area these may be. Researchers should be supported by their supervisors in seeking out opportunities to educate themselves about the variety of career paths that are open to them, including making good use of resources provided by the Careers Service, including the Careers Advisers for Research Staff. Researchers should consider realistic career options outside universities as well as within, so that any decision to pursue a further research appointment may be taken deliberately, rather than by default.

Researchers should request regular meetings with their supervisors to discuss their progress and career plans. These meetings should provide opportunities to discuss career aspirations, performance on the research project, and further training or development priorities. Each of these aspects should receive appropriate emphasis during discussions between researcher and supervisor.

Researchers and their supervisors should hold formal career management review ('appraisal') meetings at regular intervals. For researchers with shorter contracts, these meetings should be held every year; for researchers with longer contracts and/or longer service, these meetings should be held every two years.