Work Shadowing for Postdocs: Explore Careers Beyond Academia

Work Shadowing opportunities will be posted on Handshake from 15 October. Not on Handshake? Sign up now

Thinking about your next step after academia?  

Cambridge Careers Service is piloting a new Work Shadowing Scheme, funded by the Enhancing Research Culture Fund, to help postdoctoral researchers explore opportunities beyond academia.

This initiative aims to ease the uncertainty of fixed-term contracts by giving you a flexible, supportive way to discover alternative career paths, gain first-hand insights, and build confidence for your next move.

Why take part?

We know postdocs juggle demanding research schedules alongside other responsibilities, so we’ve designed this scheme to be short, flexible and supported. 

By shadowing a professional outside academia, you can: 

  • Observe non-academic roles in real-world settings
  • Discover how your skills transfer beyond research
  • Gain insight into different sectors and career paths
  • Reflect on whether a role or sector aligns with your goals

Research with former postdocs shows the hardest part of leaving academia is making the decision and adjusting to a new environment. Work shadowing helps ease that process. 

What’s involved? 

  • Flexible commitment: ½ day up to 3 days, arranged with your host.
  • Practical insights: observe, ask questions, and reflect on what you see.
  • Ongoing support from the Careers Service. 

Note: places are limited. If you’re not matched this time, you can reapply in the next cycle (March 2026). 

Who’s eligible? 

You must: 

  • Be a current postdoc at the University of Cambridge or a partner institute. View our Eligibility Statement
  • Have at least 3 months left on your contract as of 1 November 2025
  • Be able to complete shadowing before 31 January 2026 (or the end of your contract, whichever is sooner)
  • Commit to short pre- and post-scheme surveys
  • Provide feedback on your experience

How to apply 

Already on Handshake? Start from Step 2. 

  1. Sign up on Handshake* (new users only)
  2. Complete the pre-shadowing survey (available from 15 October)
  3. Browse Work Shadowing opportunities on Handshake from 15 October
  4. Apply by uploading a CV and a statement answering two questions** (you can apply to multiple roles, but will only be matched to one)
  5. Get matched: if successful, you’ll sign an agreement with your host
  6. Take part in your work shadowing experience
  7. Complete the post-shadowing survey

*Handshake is the University of Cambridge’s career development platform, where you can connect with the Careers Service to book 1-1 appointments, sign up for workshops and events, explore vacancies, and develop your career and network. 

** Details available on 15 October

Selection     

Places on the Work Shadowing Programme are limited. Applicants will be selected based on the following criteria, and then carefully matched with a host organisation: 

  • Motivation 

  • Commitment 

  • Alignment with interests and goals 

  • Closeness to the end of contract 

We aim to offer opportunities across disciplines, with priority given to postdocs approaching the end of their contracts. 

Timeline 

Postdoc Work Shadowing Programme Timeline

FAQs

About the Scheme

Work shadowing gives you the chance to observe a professional outside academia, ask questions, and reflect on whether the role or sector aligns with your career interests. Each host has outlined their offer on Handshake. Typical activities may include introductions, observing meetings, time for reflection, or an “information interview.” 
Important: shadowing is purely observational, unpaid, and not part of a recruitment process.

We know postdocs are busy, so the scheme is designed to be flexible. Hosts have been asked to offer between half a day and three days of shadowing. Details will be given in each Handshake listing. 

We ask applicants to answer pre-and post-shadowing surveys to help us understand the impact of the scheme and shape its future. To be able to participate in the work shadowing scheme, please make sure you have completed the pre-shadowing survey (link coming soon).

The Careers Service will introduce you to your host by email so you can discuss the opportunity and agree on suitable dates. You’ll then be asked to sign a short agreement between you, your host, and the Careers Service. After completing your work shadowing, we’ll ask you to fill out a post-shadowing survey. You’ll also be invited to a one-to-one appointment with a careers consultant to reflect on your experience. 

Applications and Outcomes

Yes. Work shadowing opportunities are listed on Handshake, and you’ll need to apply directly through the platform. Once registered, you can also browse job vacancies, book one-to-one appointments with a careers consultant, and sign up for careers events. 

We aim to source opportunities across a breadth of sectors, but this pilot can’t cover every area. New opportunities will be added in future rounds. In the meantime, read Exploring career possibilities. Further resources on arranging your own experiential learning opportunities will also be available from Easter Term

Yes. You can reapply in the next cycle (March 2026) if you still meet the eligibility criteria.

Yes. The Expression of Interest survey helped us gauge interest in the programme, but it isn’t an application. To take part, you’ll need to complete the pre-shadowing survey and apply for a specific opportunity. See How to apply for further information. We’re very grateful to everyone who submitted an EOI. 

Making the Most of the Experience

Start by doing some background research on your host organisation. Think about what you’d like to learn and prepare questions in advance so you can make the most of your time together. Work shadowing often includes an informational interview - a curiosity-driven conversation about someone’s work and career path. This can be a valuable way to deepen your understanding of the role and sector. To get started, we recommend reading Informational Interviews: get your career questions answered! for ideas on the kinds of questions you might ask your host. 

That’s absolutely fine. Eliminating options is part of career decision-making. After your work shadowing, you’ll have a one-to-one appointment with a careers consultant to reflect and consider next steps. 

Talking to Your PI/Manager

If you haven’t discussed non-academic careers with your PI before, it may feel sensitive. You could frame the scheme as professional development, supported by the Researcher Development Concordat, which allows for 10 days of professional development time including career exploration. Some postdocs will prefer to wait until they’ve been offered a work shadowing experience before mentioning it. Be ready to explain how you’ll manage your workload around the shadowing.  

Support and Contact

All participants are offered a one-to-one appointment with a Careers Consultant to reflect on their experience and explore next steps. You’re also welcome to book an appointment at any time during your postdoc.

Postdocs can access a wide range of support to help with career planning and development. The Careers Service offers tailored advice, events, and resources - learn more on our Careers Support for Postdocs page. For details on services available across the University, explore the Postdoc Academy Guide to University Services.

This is a pilot, and we welcome your questions. We’ll update FAQs as the pilot advances. Please contact Isha Verma, Postdoctoral Work Shadowing Coordinator if you have any further questions.