Postdocs knowledge of the employment landscape beyond academia is often unclear and they can feel unsure of where to start to begin building their awareness. To address this, Prosper sought employer stakeholders to co-create 12 career clusters, to help postdocs navigate the career landscape by segmenting it.  

The clusters represent areas where highly skilled employees are most in-demand, and where we suggest postdocs may find the most rewarding careers. 

For each cluster page, along with a co-created description of the cluster, you’ll find a range of employer interviews which provide direct insight into working for organisations within the relevant cluster. 

Supporting postdocs to understand and act upon the range, depth and marketability of their skills is an integral aspect of Prosper. 

Informed by our employer cocreation, this section presents six core competencies that have emerged as some of the most in demand in today’s employment market.  

For each of the competencies, we present a description informed and supported by employer insights and quotations, suggestions of where postdocs may already have developed these skills or could do so and links to additional commissioned and co-created resources. 

Each of the six competencies presented (Communication, Leadership, Creativity, Project Management, Commercial Awareness, Growth Mindset) has been informed by employer insights.  

We highlight the project management resource in particular which were developed from a workshop between postdocs and diverse project management professionals.  

A selection of panel sessions and interviews covering areas such as the nature and culture of the employing organisation, the key skills and competencies required to thrive therein and the personal career journey of the interviewee.  

Includes interviews with former postdocs who have pursued rewarding careers beyond academia. The interviewees are approached as former postdocs rather than employers. The content therefore tends to focus on topics such as comparisons between academia and industry and the process of making this change. These offer valuable insights into the realities, demands and rewards of working within different organisations beyond academia.

The example of a non-linear career pathway, careers in policy, was informed by discussions with employers working in this field. 

Employer viewpoints, insights and top tips are weaved throughout this guide to successfully navigating job applications, which offers advice and guidance on every aspect of the process, from cover letters, to interviews, and salary negotiations. You could use what employers have told us about the common pitfalls of job applications or how to craft an impactful CV to support your postdocs in this process. 

Here you’ll find a wealth of advice in the form of video clips, short quotations and tips regarding how to set up your own business and become your own boss. Here, we include commissioned material as well as advice from former postdocs and employers who have pivoted to self-employment.