About our mentoring scheme
Our mentoring scheme offers postdocs the opportunity to have reflective and developmental career conversations with a mentor from academia or other sectors, including industry, startups, charity, consulting and the public sector.
The aim of mentoring is to support postdocs to identify and achieve their professional goals or overcome challenges. Conversations with a mentor provide a confidential space for guided reflection, personal development, and the introduction of new perspectives.
Each mentoring cohort lasts nine months. Cohorts usually run from:
- January to September – mentee applications open in October
- May to January – mentee applications open in February
- September to May – mentee applications open in June
Mentors can apply to the scheme on a rolling basis using this application form.
For more information, please see our:
What to expect from the scheme
We match mentors to mentees based on a variety of criteria, ranging from career development, through work-life balance and work and family, to working in different sectors and more.
Each mentoring cohort lasts nine months. During this period, we expect mentees and mentors to meet at least three times, in person or online.
The relationship is driven by the mentee to arrange meetings and to agree a schedule that works for both of you.
Please contact the mentoring team if you have any questions about the scheme: mentoring.pda@admin.cam.ac.uk.
How to apply
Applications for the January 2026 cohort are now open. If you wish to apply please read the information for mentees. Applications will close at 23:59 on Sunday 19 October.
Apply to be matched with a mentor here by 19 October.
Our mentoring cohorts are usually in January, May, and September each year, with applications opening in October, February and June.
Mentors can apply to the scheme on a rolling basis using this application form.
Please contact the mentoring team if you have any questions about the scheme: mentoring.pda@admin.cam.ac.uk.