STEP-UP mentoring scheme for digital Research Technical Professionals

The STEP-UP mentoring scheme is connects digital Research Technical Professionals (dRTPs) working in research software, data, or computing infrastructure across London and the South East.

Who is it for?

  • Mentees: Postgraduate students, early career researchers and professional services staff at London research organisations working on research software, data, or computing infrastructure.
  • Mentors: dRTPs at a different research organisation in the same region, with >3 years experience, ready to share insights, support others, and develop leadership skills.

What’s involved?

  • 1-hour sessions, once a month, for 6 months
  • Meet online or in person
  • Discuss topics like:
    • Career planning & progression
    • Technical & professional skills development
    • Navigating workplace culture
    • Building confidence & community

What in it for you?

As a mentee, you can:

  • Get guidance from experienced professionals in research software, data, or infrastructure.
  • Set career goals and identify development opportunities.
  • Gain insight into technical best practices and workplace culture in UK research environments.
  • Build confidence in navigating complex or siloed institutional structures.
  • Develop your professional skills for dRTP teams.
  • Connect with a broader community of dRTPs across the region.

As a mentor you can:

  • Contribute to the development of the dRTP community by supporting peers and early-career professionals.
  • Reflect on your own career path, technical expertise, and leadership approach.
  • Gain experience in coaching, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Expand your professional network across institutions and disciplines.
  • Stay informed about emerging challenges and perspectives in research software, data, and infrastructure roles.
  • Receive recognition for your contribution to community development and knowledge sharing.

Code of conduct

All participants agree to a Code of Conduct and Mentoring Agreement. Conversations are confidential.

Key dates

Rolling recruitment starts from September 2025, with the first mentoring pairings assigned in November 2025 and quarterly after that. Signing up doesn’t guarantee that we will be able to find you a mentor or mentee. We will contact you after the pairing meeting with a mentor/mentee match, or let you know that we have no suitable matches.

Sign up here

The STEP-UP Mentoring Scheme collects and processes personal data (e.g. name, contact details, job role, mentoring preferences) solely for the purpose of administering the mentoring programme. This includes matching participants, facilitating communication, and evaluating the scheme.

All data will be stored securely and accessed only by authorised members of the STEP-UP coordination team. We will not share your identifiable information with third parties without your explicit consent, unless required to by law or institutional policy.

We may use anonymised and aggregated data (e.g. feedback, participation metrics, demographic summaries) for internal evaluation and for dissemination purposes, such as academic publications, blog posts, or conference presentations. No individuals will be identifiable in any published material.

You have the right to access, correct, or request deletion of your data at any time. To do so, or to ask any questions about how your data is used, please contact the STEP-UP team at info@step-up.ac.uk.

By submitting your application, you consent to the use of your data as described above.