Graduate Research School Career Development Framework

Candidature management

Undertaking a research degree is a huge commitment and requires many skills. Gaining an understanding of these techniques and strategies early, will assist you to complete and submit your thesis efficiently. 

Useful links

  • Advice by Student Services: Working with your advisor
  • Short excerpt on PhD Survival 
  • The PhD Survival video : Doing a PhD is meant to be challenging, and most doctoral students feel overwhelmed by the task at times. But many find that their work - and their lives - are compromised by feelings of loneliness, inadequacy or anxiety. The consequences can be abandoned PhDs, disrupted careers and damaged mental health.
  • The Thesis Whisperer: PhD support blog by A/Prof Inger Mewburn, Director of Researcher Development, ANU
  • Patter: PhD and writing support blog by Prof Pat Thomson, School of Education, University of Nottingham
  • Postgrad Forum: An extensive forum of PhDs from all over the world discussing life, work, research, career, and anything PhD
  • The PhD Forum: A Twitter-based social support group, online writing lounge, collaboration directory
  • Wellbeing group programs available now

The 'imposter' syndrome [webinar]

6 August 2026 1:00pm–4:00pm
 
in Candidature management
Although you are doing well, you may still feel like an imposter. Learn how to manage these feelings.
Register

Effective time management [webinar]

14 August 2026 10:00am–11:30am
 
in Candidature management
Discover time-management strategies that will help you to ‘work well’ during your research degree.
Register

The seven secrets of highly successful research students [online]

24 August 2026 9:00am–26 October 2026 5:00pm
 
in Candidature management
This 10 week online program from August to October looks at seven key strategies that help research higher degree students finish on time and enjoy the process more. REGISTRATION CLOSES 17 AUGUST.
Register

Resilient researcher: Becoming a Resilient Researcher [Webinar]

8 September 2026 11:00am–12:00pm
 
in Candidature management
Build your resilience for your research degree and beyond.

Mental Health First Aid [St Lucia]

28 September 2026 9:00am–29 September 2026 4:30pm
 
in Candidature management
Want to gain the mental health first aid skills to help yourself and others in mental distress? Want to gain the MHFA accreditation that you can put on your CV? Join our 2 full-day MHFA accreditation training offered to HDR students at no cost to you! Please do NOT sign up unless you can commit to attending both days in full. Registration closes 23 September 9am. Workshop delivered face to face at St Lucia campus.

Resilient researcher: Resilience when remote [Webinar]

24 November 2026 11:00am–12:00pm
 
in Candidature management
This webinar is designed to assist HDR candidates researching in remote locations. For instance, this may occur when you are away collecting data or are based interstate or even overseas.

Three Ss of Resilience [webinar]

22 May 2026 10:00am–11:30am
 
in Candidature management
Learn strategies to improve resilience in order to better manage the stresses and strains of life, both during the candidature and in your future professional life.

Perfection not required: Managing perfectionism [webinar]

23 April 2026 11:30am–1:00pm
 
in Candidature management
This workshop will dispel the common myth that perfectionism is a good thing that is a characteristic of high achievers, and use a cognitive behavioural approach to overcoming perfectionist behaviours and thought processes.

Effective time management [Herston]

Cancelled
13 April 2026 1:00pm–2:30pm
 
in Candidature management
Discover time-management strategies that will help you to ‘work well’ during your research degree. Presented via a live-stream at Herston campus.

Effective time management [Dutton Park]

Cancelled
13 April 2026 1:00pm–2:30pm
 
in Candidature management
Discover time-management strategies that will help you to ‘work well’ during your research degree. Presented face to face at Dutton Park campus.

Effective time management [webinar]

Cancelled
13 April 2026 1:00pm–2:30pm
 
in Candidature management
Discover time-management strategies that will help you to ‘work well’ during your research degree.

Making the most of the advisor/student relationship [webinar]

31 March 2026 1:00pm–2:30pm
 
in Candidature management
Learn how to develop a close working relationship with your advisors.

Pondering procrastination productively [webinar]

17 March 2026 11:00am–12:30pm
 
in Candidature management
Are you plagued by procrastination? Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today? Learn tools and strategies to get you started in making change, feeling in control and creating new, more productive habits.

Optimising Wellbeing throughout your HDR Journey [Gatton]

20 November 2025 10:00am–11:30am
 
in Candidature management
This workshop aims to assist HDR students to manage stress, to open conversations about wellbeing and to access UQ support services and resources. This workshop is delivered face to face at Gatton campus.

R U OK - Building your skills [webinar]

10 September 2025 12:00pm–1:30pm
 
in Candidature management
R U Ok Day is a national day of action to encourage conversations with those who may be struggling. This workshop will build skills on mental health awareness, ways we can have difficult conversations with each other and ways to access support.