Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Where to get help in the University

It’s very important to seek help when you need it.

There are many sources of support in the University and it’s very likely that one of them will be able to provide the help you need. This page lists many of them, but may not be fully comprehensive, so do keep looking if you can’t find what you need here.  There are also some ideas, hints and tips for getting help and helping yourself, so make sure you read to the end.

Your time and most of your connections will be with your research group and department. Whichever your department, it sits within the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division, one of four academic divisions in the University.  

There is information and support available from your department, the MPLS Division, and the University. Explore the links on the Introduction to the University and Division page for more detail.

In particular you may find these services useful:

Careers Service (available for research staff)

Centre for Teaching and Learning (for help with developing your teaching skills)

Equality and Diversity

IT Services

Newcomers’ Club (for the partners of new University staff)

Occupational health (to access a range of services including counselling)

Oxford and the EU: post Brexit guidance

HR Information for Research Staff

Harassment Advisor Network

Immigration information

Language Centre

Libraries

People and Organisational Development (for professional development opportunities)

Oxford Research Staff Society

Oxford University Sport

University and College Union

Other Resources

Academic-related Staff Handbook

What Every Postdoc Needs to Know: an invaluable guide on all things posdoc

Vitae's Well Being and Mental Health pages

How to Beat the Imposter Syndrome  and Seven Top Tips for Resilience from Jobs.ac.uk

Looking after and Helping Yourself

There are a lot of things you can do for yourself that will help you progress and help you look after your physical and mental health. These are some suggestions.

Do your job and plan for the future

Always remember that you are being paid to do your job, so make sure you deliver what is expected of you. At the same time, you can be planning for and progressing towards your future career. See the section on Making the most of your time at Oxford.

Look after your PI and other colleague relationships

Looking after your working relationships will pay dividends. See the section on working relationships for hints and tips.

Balance your time and take holidays

Work to make sure you have a healthy work / life balance, making sure you have time for non-work activity and rest. Negotiate expected working hours with your PI if needs be. See the sections on 'Getting what you need' on the Working with you PI and others page, and the section on Managing your Time

Try self-coaching

If you have an issue and you're not sure how to resolve it, try working through these self-coaching questions. These will be most effective if you write down the answers rather than just thinking about them. 

In general

Keep sight of the bigger picture and your future career

Build up a network of support

Keep up non-work interests – sport, music, friends, whatever is important to you

Seek help when you need it

On this page