University of Liverpool launches UK’s first Research Technical Professional Career Pathway
14 February 2023
The University of Liverpool (UoL) has introduced a comprehensive promotion pathway for specialist technical and research support staff.
The Research Technical Professional Career Pathway (RTPCP) has been developed to meet three aims: recruitment, retention and recognition of technical staff.
The pathway was launched on Tuesday 2 February at UoL. It supports the university’s Technician Commitment action plan as well as some of the key recommendations from the UKRI/Research England TALENT Commission report.
UoL has a cohort of skilled specialist staff who are employed in a wide range of roles, developing methodology, technology and research facilities. However, their expertise and contribution cannot currently be recognised under the university’s existing pathway because they do not fit the traditional progression route for academics.
The RTPCP enables the university to reward, retain and provide recognition for its staff, providing them with a clearer route to develop a technical specialist career.
Professor Ian Prior, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor of Technology, Infrastructure and Environment at the UoL’s Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, said, “We are excited to be able to introduce a sector leading pathway that properly recognises and rewards the contributions of the specialist staff that underpin so much of our research and teaching.
“We are happy to work with organisations across the sector who want to introduce similar schemes so that we can refine together and get the best career pathway options for all of our staff.”
Dr Kelly Vere MBE, Programme Director, Technician Commitment (Science Council), said, “Technical skills and expertise are essential to UK research and innovation. I’m thrilled that the University of Liverpool is the first in the country to launch a dedicated Research Technical Professional Career Pathway - a new promotional pathway for technical specialists.
“This was a key recommendation of the Research England funded TALENT Commission (published in February 2022) and aligns strongly with the Technician Commitment’s aims to advance visibility, recognition and career development opportunities for the technical community in UK higher education and research.
“The University of Liverpool’s innovative approach is sector leading and provides recognition and progression for specialist technical careers across disciplines. We’re excited to work with the University of Liverpool as it further develops and shares this beacon activity with the wider sector.”