“The fair was inclusive, rich in different career opportunities, and staff were helpful and kind.”

Last week, we welcomed over 300 doctoral researchers from across the region to this year’s White Rose PhD Careers and Networking Fair. This collaborative event connected PhD researchers with employers spanning the charity sector, engineering, the civil service, heritage, science and beyond.

A shared space for career exploration

Organised by the White Rose University Consortium, the fair created a lively and buzzing space for networking, career exploration and knowledge exchange, showcasing the breadth of opportunities open to PhD researchers both within and beyond academia. 

The event sparked cross-regional connections, drawing strong representation from partner institutions Leeds, Sheffield, and York, alongside researchers travelling from further afield such as Hull and Huddersfield.

The fair experience

The fair brought together a range of regional employers, each offering a unique window into life beyond academia. 

Attendees had the chance to speak with organisations spanning specialist consultancies, major research funders, and public bodies, including Research England (UKRI), the UK Health Security Agency, and the Darlington Economic Campus, alongside employers in engineering, life sciences, heritage and education. You can find the full list of companies that attended on the event page.

“It created an opportunity to connect with other PhD students aside from it being a careers fair”

“There’s a lot more out there than you realise”

Building networks that last

Events like this sit at the heart of what the White Rose University Consortium does best – creating shared spaces where doctoral researchers can build connections that extend far beyond a single afternoon. 

Whether exploring careers in industry, the charity sector or the civil service, or forging links with fellow researchers from across Yorkshire, the fair reflected our ongoing commitment to supporting PhD researchers as they consider their next steps.

We look forward to welcoming even more researchers and employers to next year’s fair, and to continuing to grow the networks and communities that help doctoral researchers thrive both within and beyond academia.

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