One of the many strengths of the ECAT programme is the tailored, personal support offered to individual fellows during the (sometimes difficult) postdoctoral phase. The return from full-time academic study back into clinical work needs careful management and planning in order to sustain research momentum, and the ECAT team is on-hand to give fellows the support they need in a number of ways. We are passionate about this and we constantly seek feedback, allowing us to respond to the changing environment and to continue to improve.
Regular face-to-face postdoctoral review meetings with two dedicated ECAT directors provide the opportunity to support fellows during the (typically tricky) period after the PhD/return to clinical work, and on an ongoing basis throughout the postdoctoral phase.
ECAT BOOST (Buddy Outreach and Ongoing Space to Talk) supports fellows returning from PhD time to clinical duties, matching them with a research-experienced consultant (or similar) appropriate to their career plans and support needs. The BOOST team is Rob Hunter, Livvy Swann and Lucy Whitaker. Do feel free to get in touch with any of them if you have any questions.
ECAT BOOST is:
• Entirely independent from formal ECAT postdoctoral reviews
• Support from someone who understands the transition from PhD to diverse career pathways
• A space to share worries, celebrate wins, and explore new ideas
• Real-world advice on career planning, decision-making, and finding a professional identity
• Building confidence in pursuing the right path that is right for the trainee
ECAT BOOST isn’t:
• Formal coaching
• Didactic career advice
• Hierarchical mentorship
• Exclusively research-focused
