Students:
Our students make a huge contribution to the scientific and social life of the IMS-MRL. They study towards a PhD under the supervision of a Principal Investigator (PI) or undertake a taught MPhil course in Obesity, Endocrinology & Metabolism. While they are with us, they learn a wide range of scientific techniques and receive outstanding scientific training, which equips them for diverse careers internationally. Our students join a vibrant network of junior scientists in the department and across the Biomedical Campus.
Students in Cambridge benefit from affiliation to a College, who provide access to a wide range of academic, social, emotional and practical support. In addition, the University’s ‘Reach Out’ programme signposts to various resources to help students deal with a range of issues including academic concerns, financial worries, mental health issues or other health concerns, disability, and sexual harassment. Students also benefit from our Doctoral Training Programme and Researcher Development Programme.
We have a range of events in the IMS-MRL which are designed to support our students’ development. This includes mentoring from Principal investigators and Graduate Advisors, who can help them navigate the different steps and requirements of their degree. There are also various interactive work-in-progress and seminar series and regular networking events such as the IMS-MRL summer garden party which provide formal and informal opportunities to talk to senior colleagues for mentorship, support and careers advice.
There is a very active Student Committee that coordinates communication between students and other researchers as well as organising regular networking events. There are also opportunities for getting involved in public engagement activities with support from our departmental PPIE team.
Post-doctoral researchers
The IMS-MRL has a highly-trained cohort of post-doctoral researchers, who have expert skills in research and laboratory techniques. They come from all over the world and enrich the IMS-MRL with their skill and enthusiasm.
Postdoctoral researchers at the IMS-MRL have access to many development opportunities through the School of Clinical Medicine and the Researcher Development Programme. They receive mentorship from the Principal Investigators and have access to core facilities to develop expertise in laboratory techniques. The IMS-MRL training equips our postdoctoral researchers for success in future roles in academia and industry in Cambridge and across the world.
Early and mid-career investigators
The IMS-MRL has a track record of training talented early and mid- career scientists for long-term academic positions within the IMS-MRL and around the world. We are dedicated to supporting the next generation of senior researchers in metabolic disease and recognise that there are many challenges in building an academic career.
Early and mid-career researchers at the IMS-MRL have access to many development opportunities through the School of Clinical Medicine, the Clinical Academic Training Office and the Researcher Development Programme. Regular networking events, such as the IMS-MRL summer garden party, also provide informal opportunities to talk to senior colleagues for mentorship and advice.
Research operations and support teams
Research is a team endeavour and a large group of different professionals work at the IMS-MRL supporting our research in many different roles. Our success as an Institute owes a lot to the incredible skills, hard work and dedication from many people who work in our research operations, professional services and core facility teams.
Our research operations colleagues also have an essential role in training our students and postdoctoral researchers about new techniques in clinical and laboratory research.
We aim to provide a stimulating working environment for all our staff, including staff employed in research teams, professional services and the core facilities. We recognise that academia has fewer clear progression pathways for people in research operations and supporting roles. We are working to develop new ways to support career development and training within our Institute. Colleagues in research operations and supporting roles at the IMS-MRL have access to development opportunities through the University of Cambridge (Ourcambridge scheme). Regular networking events, such as the IMS-MRL summer garden party, also provide informal opportunities to talk to senior colleagues for mentorship and advice.
