Skip to navigation | Skip to main content | Skip to footer
Menu
Search the Staffnet siteSearch StaffNet

School of Environment, Education and Development

Mid-Career Researcher mentoring scheme - call for mentors and mentees

02 Nov 2026

Inviting potential mid-career researcher mentors and mentees to sign up to a cross-institutional mentoring scheme. Applications to the scheme are open until Friday 4 December 2026.

We are inviting applications for mentors and mentees in our cross-institutional MCR mentoring scheme. This is an opportunity to support mid-career researchers (MCRs) and be part of an initiative led by Manchester Metropolitan University, in collaboration with the Universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Sheffield Hallam, Salford, Leeds Beckett, Huddersfield, Reading, Exeter, and Surrey.

MCRs (see definition below*) are often overlooked. This mentoring scheme has been designed to offer opportunities for MCRs to develop their careers and explore new possibilities. The scheme has run for five years and received excellent feedback from both mentors and mentees. 

“I enjoyed meeting someone outside my institution, it is interesting to learn how other institutions work.’ (Mentor, Lancaster University)”

The mentoring scheme is a reciprocal arrangement. The number of mentee places at each institution depends on how mentors sign up. 

Details:

  • 3-4 virtual meetings over 4-6 months, starting in February 2027.
  • Online support is provided.
  • Meet colleagues at other participating institutions at an optional Mentoring Masterclass. 
  • Online information session for prospective mentees on Tuesday 3 November 2026 which provides further information about the scheme if you would like to attend before applying.
  • Online information session for prospective mentors on Wednesday 4 November 2026 which provides further information about the scheme if you would like to attend before registering. 

Mentors

If you are an experienced ‘senior’ researcher/research leader who feels comfortable mentoring mid-career researchers, please register as a mentor using this form. At the University of Manchester, mentors are likely to hold positions such as Reader or Professor and may hold a Division, School, Faculty or University leadership position.

Mentees

If you are a mid-career ‘established’ researcher, please apply to be a mentee using this form.  At the University of Manchester, mentees are likely to hold positions such as Fellow, Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Senior Fellow or Reader. 

Deadline for applications: 11:59pm Friday 4 December 2026

*Definition of MCR for the purposes of this scheme:

‘Mid-career’ or ‘established’ researchers tend to be those who have developed an independent research reputation, have likely been promoted, but still have a long active career ahead. They are no longer early career researchers (ECRs). An ECR is usually defined as someone who is no more than 5-8 years post-PhD (dependent on discipline) or up to 10 years with career breaks or has equivalent experience. For the purposes of this scheme, MCR does not include colleagues who are mid-career chronologically, having started their career beyond academic research, but still early in their research career.