Development opportunities for RTPs
Development opportunities for RTPs
Staff training opportunities at the GW4 institutions:
Please note: You will need your staff login details to access the training from within your institution.
Other development opportunities:
If you require funding to attend RTP focused training/development opportunity, please email x-cited@gw4.ac.uk to explore how we can support you.
Training – Open Ended
Introduction to Python for Health Research
You will be able to use Python to import and manipulate datasets, and be confident in performing programming operations such as using conditionals, loops, and functions, as well as conducting basic statistical analyses
FUTURES / Online / Free
Training – Open Ended
Data Standardisation
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Understand the importance of data standards in modern health research
- Understand the application of different kinds of data standards during the various research stages
- Take steps towards more effective reproducibility and data harmonisation
- Understand and utilise reproducible data workflows
FUTURES / Online / Free
Training – Open Ended
Bringing Software as a Medical Device to Market
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the different categories of medical device
- Explain the differences between the three key markets for medical devices
- List the risk classes and compliance processes used by regulators
- Create a Quality Management System
- Describe processes used to rectify quality problems
- Explain how medical devices are evaluated for both clinical and health economics outcomes
FUTURES / Online / Free
Training – Open Ended
Research Software Engineering
You will learn about various software development methodologies, tools, and techniques that are commonly used in research software engineering. You will also learn about best practices for software design, coding, testing, and documentation, and how to apply these principles to your own software projects. Furthermore, you will be introduced to the key challenges and considerations that are unique to the research software engineering domain, such as ensuring reproducibility and collaboration, and balancing the trade-offs between performance and code maintainability.
FUTURES / Online / Free
Event – 27th November 2025
UK-RAS STEPS Cambridge Knowledge Exchange Workshop
Join us for an engaging afternoon of knowledge exchange, networking, and collaboration at the University of Cambridge. This fully funded workshop is open to Research Technical Professionals working in or with Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS).
The event will feature a series of interactive sessions designed to foster discussion, share best practices, and explore opportunities for collaboration across the RAS community.
UKRAS STEPS / In-person Cambridge / Free
5 day visit to Tokyo – CLOSING DATE 15th December 2025 – Visit to take place April 2026
International visit to the University of Tokyo & Tokyo University of Science
📍 Limited to 10 places – expressions of interest now open!
We’re accepting expressions of interest from up to 30 RTPs. Those who apply will vote to select the final 10 attendees. Please note: RTPs may only join one international visit, subject to demand. Please see the International Visits Guidelines attached.
UK RAS STEPS / In person – Tokyo / Fully funded
Member vacancies – CLOSING DATE 31st December 2025
UKRI Digital Research Innovation Pool; Supporting Technical Review, Insight, Knowledge and Evaluation (STRIKE)
The UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure Pool: Supporting Technical Review, Insight, Knowledge and Evaluation (STRIKE) is a newly established group that provides impartial, high-quality technical advice to both the UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure (DRI) Programme Team and the UKRI DRI Committee (DRIC).
The UKRI DRI Programme is a £129 million UKRI initiative to develop a coherent state-of-the-art national DRI. It will seamlessly connect researchers and innovators to the computers, data, tools, techniques and skills that underpin the most ambitious and creative research. STRIKE supports the ongoing development and assurance of the UKRI DRI Programme.
As a STRIKE member, you will draw on your expertise to help ensure the technical feasibility and robustness of the UKRI DRI Programme’s plans and investments.
UKRI / Hybrid / Free
Event – Registration now open – events held 12th – 23rd January 2026
WinterFest 2026
Two-week online festival of learning. Free online sessions on personal and career development, technical teaching, frontier technologies, accessibility in the technical workplace and more.
ITSS / Online / Free
Training – 29th Jan 2026
Introduction to University Planning for Technical Leads
Enhance your understanding of how universities plan and measure performance. This one-day online course introduces key concepts in institutional planning – helping technical leads engage more effectively with planning cycles, metrics, and strategic priorities.
By the end, you’ll be able to identify the right colleagues to collaborate with, distinguish between technical and interpersonal skills needed for planning, and align your team’s work with institutional goals.
HEaTED / Online / From £228
Training Course – 18th Feb 2026
Effective Communication and Networking Skills
This course has been designed in a way which draws on real-life scenarios and aims for immediate application of communication and networking skills.
In the first part of this course we will focus on:
-
Exploring the communication process.
-
How we create meaning when we interact with others.
-
Communication channels and how to use them effectively depending on what we want to achieve.
In the second part of this course, we will focus on:
-
How our mindset and attitude impact on the results of networking.
-
Active listening and asking insightful questions to promote interest in others.
-
How to concisely present what we have to offer.
-
How to maintain our connections after a networking event.
HEaTED / In person / From £228
Training Course – 18th Feb 2026
Assertiveness Skills For Technicians
The aim is to equip participants with the practical tools and techniques necessary to increase their assertiveness in the services and support environment.
Objectives of the course include exploring the following:
-
Beliefs, thinking processes, verbal and non-verbal aspects of our behaviours to understand how we can increase our assertiveness in all these aspects.
-
How the lack of assertion and aggression impacts on our personal impact and organisational results.
-
How to apply the learning in real-life scenarios to make the sessions as experiential as possible.
-
How assertiveness can create empowerment.
-
How we are influenced by someone’s non-assertion or aggression.
HEaTED / In person / From £228
Training – 4th March 2026
Customer Service for Technical Staff
This course is tailor made to meet the needs of technical staff in higher education (HE). It accommodates various learning styles, to allow participants to learn from theory and practice, group discussions and individual reflection on their current practice. It will utilise formative assessments to increase learner knowledge, competency and confidence; enabling and empowering them to implement learnt skills in their work.
HEaTED / Online / From £228
Training – 10th March 2026
Technical Services Career and Promotion Pathways
Designing effective career and promotion pathways is essential for building motivated, high-performing Technical Services teams. This new course guides delegates through the process of creating sector-leading, strategically aligned pathways that clarify roles, define progression, and strengthen collaboration across business areas.
Participants will gain hands-on experience developing taxonomies, role outlines and promotion criteria, while learning how to build project teams that co-create and deliver excellence.
HEaTED / Online / From £289
Training – 11th March 2026
Time Management Skills
Aim: To equip participants with skills, techniques and knowledge, to better manage time and increase productivity at work
HEaTED / Online / From £228
Training – 18th March 2026
Coaching Skills For Technical Professionals
The aim of this course is to increase awareness and equip participants with coaching skills, knowledge and confidence in the technical services environment.
HEaTED / Online / From £228
Event – 28th -29th April 2026
UK Technology Specialists Network Conference
The Technology Specialists Network was established by the Research England funded TALENT Programme. The network, which aims to share insights, best practice and support colleagues in similar roles, now sits within the UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy.
This is the fourth Technology Specialists Network conference to take place and is open to technical professionals working in UK universities and research institutes. Delegates who register will be contacted nearer the date for more information regarding which breakout sessions they wish to attend.
TSN ROKS / In person – Stratford-upon-Avon/ Free to attend
Event – 28th August 2026 – 5th September 2026
21st International Microscopy Congress IMC21
A major scientific event held every four years, considered the “Olympics of Microscopy”. It provides a global platform for researchers, industry leaders, and experts to present and discuss cutting-edge research in microscopy.
IMC21 Congress theme is The Next Generation – Embracing the Responsible AI Revolution.
This overarching conference theme is representing a compelling and forward-looking vision and captures the spirit of innovation and evolution.
IMC21 / In person – Liverpool / From £350.00
