Dr Diane Swallow, PhD
Postdoc Programme Lead
Supporting Postdocs to reach their potenital
I am the Postdoc Programme Lead within the Academic Programmes Team headed by Alice Mann (Head of Academic Programmes). The Academic Programmes Team sits within the broader Strategy, Partnerships & Innovation (SPI) Department headed by Julia Wilson, SPI Director. Academic Programmes currently encompasses activities and projects related to the Institute’s Faculty, Career Development Fellows, Postdocs and Postgraduate Students. I specifically represent the interests of Postdocs both internally and externally.
I am passionate about supporting Early Career Researchers to reach their potential. Postdoc appointments are short intense periods of further scientific training, with an increasing focus on leading a project and developing a research niche. While simultaneously delivering results that push the boundaries of science, Postdocs must also think about their futures. They must balance their projects with non-scientific and personal development opportunities, as well as expanding their network, to help them identify and prepare for their chosen career path. It is a privilege to support such a dedicated and talented community through the competing demands of being a Postdoc.
As the Postdoc Programme Lead, my role covers three core areas:
Postdoc activities – I ensure Sanger’s Postdoc Programme delivers varied and exciting training, careers and networking activities for the 120-strong Postdoc Community by working collaboratively with stakeholders, including Postdoc themselves. For me, this includes event planning, publicity, project management, budget management and coaching/training of junior stakeholders. The Postdoc community is incredibly diverse so I strive to ensure we cater for varied interests and career plans and make events as inclusive as possible to support attendance of all personalities, backgrounds and personal circumstances.
In a typical year, I oversee the delivery of:
- The annual Postdoc Retreat bringing Postdocs together for a focussed period of workshops, inspirational talks and networking activities.
- Career management workshops and follow-up 121 career coaching sessions with STEM career consultants.
- Postdoc Appreciation Week activties that celebrate the success of current and former Postdocs and shine a light on various achievements and career paths.
Postdoc advocacy – The Postdoc Committee, comprising Postdoc Reps, Faculty and Management Staff, oversees the Postdoc Programme and meets regularly to review activity and explore emerging challenges or ideas. I chair these meetings and lead on some strategic project work to help the Committee deliver its objectives. This can include developing frameworks & documentation, running surveys, analysing data, writing reports and giving presentations:
- Our 2021 survey exploring the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our Postdocs, for example, led to additional 6-month contract extensions, workshops on wellbeing and resilience and a research support scheme for Postdoc parents to recover lost productivity.
- In 2023 I was part of a team that delivered a project exploring Postdoc recruitment, retention & recognition challneges, which ultimately led to an increase in the Postdoc pay scale and improved recognition processes for Postdocs
The Postdoc Committee also frequently consults with Teams across Campus to raise awareness of Postdocs’ unique needs and ensure these are considered during the review/creation of core policies and initiatives. I represent Postdocs at groups and forums such as Sanger’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Forum.
Postdoc engagement – A great part of my role is interacting directly with Postdocs. I am a friendly and informative point of contact for all Postdocs; reaching out to new starters during the on-boarding process and introducing them to the Programme and each other through the ‘Postdoc Programme 1-0-1’. I am also a qualified Mental Health First Aider and create regular newsletters for the Postdoc community sharing details of upcoming opportunities and activities, as well as wider Institute news and developments.