University of Birmingham Reviews

Pros

I am an Engineering PhD Researcher at the Railway Research centre of the University of Birmingham. Birmingham is the best research centre in the UK for railway research, with the added benefit of it being in Britain's second largest city and in an industrial area. This gives the University a considerable advantage since there are many other Multi-national corporations/Small businesses in the area to work with.... The Research centre focuses heavily on industrial innovation and thus gets a lot of funding from the industry apart from the academic research body. Training opportunities in BCRRE are great and there is funding available to do various courses and participate in conferences. Has a really good global reputation and excellent infrastructure. Beautiful and smart modern buildings and green spaces are being constructed. There are many groups to get involved in. One of the most modern Health and fitness centres among any university in the UK. New UK Rail Research and Innovation Network building with many new opportunities coming up. Academic teaching/support jobs pay well and add to your salary.

Cons

Lower pay than in the industry The Railway Research centre is currently focussing more on expansion and business development and the number of staff is disproportionate for the amount to work needed to be done. More staff need to be recruited

Advice to Management

Increase employee numbers and divide work responsibility more evenly.

Pros

Benefits are good but it means people stay too long and far too many incompetent people on cushy salaries.

Cons

Manager had no management skills and believed managing was delegating everything to their team of one (myself) as they were too incompetent to do any of it. Senior Managers knew this and allowed it because of favouritism and laziness. Far too many people think getting ahead is not working and doing your job well but getting in front of the directors and senior managers. My experience was that many had been in Higher... Education since Uni and had not been in the private sector, a lot of unprofessional and immature behaviour as a result.

Advice to Management

Find out what is really happening, not what your told by senior managers.

Pros

Such a friendly group of people who made me feel very welcome

Cons

I have nothing negative to say

Pros

Fab part time job to have whilst studying, sociable, easy and well paid for a student job, would definitely recommend people apply to work as a Student Ambassador

Cons

No cons come to mind, I really enjoyed working as a Student Ambassador

Pros

Friendly and supportive environment Great managerial team Training was great and the opportunities for learning were big. You could ask anyone for help and they were always ready to assist. The team worked really well. I enjoyed my time there. I worked there for a year.

Cons

Don't have many negatives to say about working here

Advice to Management

Keep up the good work!

Pros

An established University in the centre of Britain.

Cons

Complete lack of guidance and contact with prospective employer

Advice to Management

Groundef approach and careful consideration of the talent offered by each individual candidate. Gut reactions must be avoided.

Pros

Great hourly rate of pay

Cons

No progression from this position and low recognition of good performance

Pros

Large campus with good sport facilities

Cons

There are a lot of barriers to career progression and salary increases

Advice to Management

review career prospects for technical staff.