Career development for HDR candidates: Planning your next steps [webinar]

While doctoral training develops deep research expertise, many candidates are uncertain about how to translate their skills into diverse career opportunities across academia, industry, government, and innovation sectors. This session will guide participants to identify career pathways available after a PhD and recognise the transferable skills developed through research training.

The workshop will introduce practical strategies for building a competitive research and professional profile, including developing publications, collaborative networks, teaching experience, and industry engagement. Participants will also explore how key doctoral activities such as experimental design, data analysis, publishing, and project management translate into valuable professional skills sought by employers.  

By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1.Identify key career pathways available to PhD graduates in academia, industry, and government sectors.
2.Recognise transferable skills developed during doctoral research and how they apply to different career contexts.
3.Evaluate the competencies and experiences required for their preferred career pathways.
4.Develop a basic personal career development plan outlining skills to build, opportunities to pursue.

Presented by Dr. Dilini Perera

Dilini Perera is a researcher in food science and biochemistry working at Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation at University of Queensland. She began her research career after submitting her PhD in Chemical and Biological Engineering at Monash University. During this transition, she explored different strategies to navigate the academic and non-academic job market. Through her research, teaching, and industry collaboration experience, she has gained insights into diverse career pathways and supports HDR students to recognise transferable skills and plan careers.

At least 75% attendance is required in order to be marked present.