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Performance & Development Review
Research Staff
Objectives for review are to:
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Review progress against agreed objectives
Set performance objectives for the next 12 months
Review overall performance in the role
Consider and map career development/aspirations
Identify training and Development needs relating to objectives and career
development
In advance of the PDR meeting and in preparation for this, both the reviewer and reviewee should read
the following documentation:

The Career Pathway Framework for Research staff
(www.ncl.ac.uk/staffdev/devactivities/research/pathway/index.htm)
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The Role Profiles and Job Summaries (www.ncl.ac.uk/hr/recruitment/role-profiles.php)

The Academic Career Pathways (www.ncl.ac.uk/hr/pay/academic-promotions )
Formal reviews should be held annually and objectives set for a 12 month period. PDR preparation
forms should be exchanged between reviewer and reviewee ahead of the meeting. An informal review
of progress towards the agreed objectives should be conducted after 6 months.
Basic Information
Reviewee Name
Reviewer Name
Date of PDR
Current appointment
Source of funding
Date current contract ends
Plans for future funding
PDR Form for Research Staff – January 2014
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PROGRESS AGAINST LAST YEAR’S OBJECTIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Please list all the objectives agreed in last year’s PDR, or indicate if and why this is not relevant.
Objectives should be discussed and outlined within
the areas listed below:
Progress
Comments
RESEARCH, TEACHING, RESEARCH MANAGEMENT,
CONTRIBUTION TO STUDENT SUPPORT
Include planned publications, presenting data,
involvement in grant applications, teaching including
student project supervision, contribution to research
management/administration, outreach activities and
commercialisation
Key Objectives:
Performance
How do you assess your performance over the review period? What aspects have you performed well,
and which ones need to be developed?
PDR Form for Research Staff – January 2014
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Main Achievements
Main Difficulties
HEALTH AND SAFETY TRAINING
List courses attended in line with Faculty policy
PDR Form for Research Staff – January 2014
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PRIORITIES/OBJECTIVES FOR NEXT 12 MONTHS
Objectives should be SMART (specific, measureable, attainable,
relevant, timely)
RESEARCH, TEACHING, RESEARCH MANAGEMENT, CONTRIBUTION TO
STUDENT SUPPORT
When setting priorities include the following: planned publications, presenting
data, involvement in grant applications, teaching including student project supervision,
contribution to research management/administration, outreach activities and
commercialisation
Key Objectives:
PDR Form for Research Staff – January 2014
Target Date
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CAREER DEVELOPMENT PLANNING
This section is to identify and support a career structure centred around the Career Pathways Scheme
where there are 3 potential career pathways:
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Research Fellow
Research Associate
Alternative Career
The Career Pathway Scheme is available for Researchers to allow the planning and mapping of future
careers. Therefore the completion of sections 1 to 3 should be undertaken within the timescales
indicated below.
**Please note: For Researchers that already hold a PhD and have done so for 3 years or more, the
timescales for completion of sections 1 – 3 does not apply as prescribed below and these workshops are
available at any stage of their career. It should be noted that Workshop 1 should be attended prior to
attending Workshop 2.
Career Plan:
Y/N
1. Attendance at Faculty Induction for Research staff – if relevant
(must be undertaken within 6 months of starting)
2. **Attendance at Career Pathways Scheme Workshop 1 – Skills
and Opportunities: For researchers new to Newcastle University,
this workshop should be undertaken within 9 months of starting
and following the Faculty Induction workshop.
3. **Attendance at Career Pathways Scheme Workshop 2 –
Career Development Planning: For new early careers
researchers this workshop should be undertaken within 2 years
of starting)
4. Outline your career development plan. Has this changed in the past year?
PDR Form for Research Staff – January 2014
Date Achieved/
Date to be
achieved by:
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5. Do you need support to develop a career development plan or develop it further? What help
do you need?
6. Are you interested in applying for Fellowships? What are your plans for pursuing this?
7. Are there any skills you would like to develop? Do you have any training needs relating to
your annual objectives or your future aspirations? Are there any qualifications you would like
to obtain in the future?
PDR Form for Research Staff – January 2014
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Person responsible for actioning the development needs:
_____________________________________________
Additional Comments
Reviewer’s Comments
Signed ________________________________________ (Reviewer)
Date _____________
Head of School’s/Section’s Comments
Signed _________________________________________(HOS)
Date _____________
Reviewee’s Comments
Signed ________________________________ (Reviewee)
Date of interim review (to be agreed and noted at the PDR)
_______________________________
Approval of Review Record
Signature of staff reviewed
Signature of reviewer
CV attached? (Y/N)
PDR Form for Research Staff – January 2014
Date _____________
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Optional page for feedback of comments on unit management
Are there any ways in which the University management of research staff could be improved? Are there
any ways in which you would like to increase your involvement in the running of your School/Institute?
Note: Please feedback your comments to the Research Staff Support Team by detaching this page,
clearly marking it as ‘Feedback comments from Research Staff PDR’, and posting it to:
Research Staff Support
(Feedback comments from Research Staff PDR)
Staff Development Unit
Newcastle University
Ground Floor
King George VI Building
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
You can find out more about Research Staff Support at Newcastle University by visiting:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/staffdev/
PDR Form for Research Staff – January 2014
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Probationary Report
This page is only for staff still in their probationary period. The information below
must be completed by the PI/Line Manager and signed by the Reviewing Manager
Employee Information
Name:
Position:
Academic Unit/Service:
Final review recommendation (place a ‘X’ in the appropriate box)
Confirmation of appointment
Extension of probationary period
Non confirmation of
appointment
Principal Investigator/Line Manager:
Date:
Principal Investigator/Line Manager - Further Comments
Head of Academic Unit:
Recommendation approved
Recommendation not approved
Signature:
Date:
Head of Academic Unit - Further Comments
Please complete and return this page to your HR Manager marked ‘Confidential’
PDR Form for Research Staff – January 2014