Become a Global Research Leader Now!
Before you join us, learn about our story and meet some of our members
ReachSci is a global initiative that was founded at the University of Cambridge by Dr. Mohammed Alawami with the mission to make research leadership accessible through local capacity building.
We empower individuals worldwide by training them to deliver research programmes locally and globally, creating opportunities for publication, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.
Since its founding, ReachSci has:
Delivered more than 19 global programmes in 50+ countries
Supported the launch of 25+ startups
Generated 50+ publications and 15+ impactful local projects
Built a global network of researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and change makers
Discover our story, meet some of our members, and get to know our programmes in this introductory video:
Why join ReachSci?
Access to world-class research and innovation training.
Get opportunities to publish many papers in high-impact journals.
Develop your leadership, professional, and networking skills.
Build strong collaborations and network with like-minded individuals around the world.
Develop practical innovation skills to make an impact locally and globally.
Learn entrepreneurship and leadership skills.
Be part of a diverse, accessible, and supportive global community.
Gain recognition for impactful contributions.
Add an outstanding achievement to your CV to make you stand out in university applications and jobs.
How does ReachSci train you to be a research leader?
ReachSci transforms you into global leaders through a hands-on, high-stakes fellowship as a Mini-PhD Director. In this exceptional volunteer role, you will be fully in charge of bringing a ReachSci Mini-PhD programme to life, managing from A-Z the organising team.
The Mini-PhD Director role is a volunteer fellowship role in ReachSci.
Here are examples of Mini-PhD Programmes:
What does Mini-PhD Directors do?
Over the Mini-PhD Director Fellowship, we train you to professionally design, plan, and execute a global research project and training, having you take participants from initial project design to final publication. This is not a series of lectures; it is a practical masterclass in research leadership that allows you to make an impact worldwide while establishing your own global footprint.
By leading these impactful Mini-PhDs, Directors gain outstanding experience and high-level professional leadership experience. The results are career-defining: our Directors have successfully established collaborations across as many as 22 countries and built prolific publication records, with some co-authoring up to 19 papers through the programme. You will graduate from the fellowship having mastered the skills to organise complex global projects, lead diverse teams, and collaborate directly with world-class professors. ReachSci provides the community to be an independent leader as well as a researcher, enabling you to accelerate your career growth without the immediate commitment of a traditional PhD or long-term research position. Through this programme you will develop many key skills, such as:
Strategic Research Design: Master the art of conceptualising and structuring high-impact research projects from scratch.
End-to-End Project Management: Gain hands-on experience in planning, executing, and delivering complex research projects and training.
Global Team Leadership: Lead and mentor diverse, international teams, fostering a culture of collaboration across different time zones and cultures.
Scholarly Publication Strategy: Drive publication of multiple papers, learning how to navigate peer review and achieve high-volume publication success; some of our directors published 19 papers through our programme.
International Network Building: Establish direct professional ties with world-class professors and institutions in over 20+ countries.
Operational Excellence: Develop the administrative and organisational skills required to run a global research programme at the highest academic standards.
Crisis Management & Problem Solving: Learn to adapt and lead through the real-world challenges of fast-paced, remote research environments.
Resource Coordination: Gain experience in managing the essential tools, and partnerships required to sustain a global initiative.
The Mini-PhD Director role is a volunteer fellowship role in ReachSci.
Why becomes a Mini-PhD Director?
● Lead international research teams from project idea to publication.
● Co-author multiple academic papers with global collaborators.
● Build lasting professional and academic networks across many countries.
● Gain advanced leadership, teaching, and research project management skills.
● Support equity and access to research by empowering underrepresented students.
● Enhance your CV with impressive academic achievements.
Roles/ Duties
● Lead and organise a Mini-PhD research programme from ideas to publications.
● Build and manage research teams (organising and participating teams).
● Guide participants through research design, data analysis, publication, and more skills.
● Ensure the programme runs smoothly and achieves high-quality research outputs.
● Represent ReachSci as a local/global programme leader.
Expectations
● Dedicate 5 hours or more per week to programme activities.
● Provide consistent leadership, mentorship, and coordination to participating teams.
● Foster a supportive, collaborative, and professional learning environment.
● Ensure participants are working toward their research publication/s.
● Uphold ReachSci’s values of diversity, accessibility, and global impact
Requirement To Become a Mini-PhD Director
● Age: Must be 18 years or older.
●Educational Background: Current MSc student or higher. Exceptionally strong Bachelor's students with at least 1+ year of research experience may also be considered.
● Communication: Excellent English communication skills (spoken and written).
●Training: Must watch the ReachSci Professional Development Training video, which explains ReachSci’s values, leadership principles, legal expectations, and member responsibilities (to be shared once accepted).
●Commitment: Minimum of 5 hours per week. Dedicating more time (10+ hours) is highly recommended for the best learning experience and results.
● Experience: Previous experience in research, volunteering, or leadership roles is required.
● Skills: Strong teamwork and organisational skills.
● Motivation: Clear commitment to making a global impact through research and capacity-building.
● Agreement: Must read, understand and agree to the ReachSci Terms and Conditions (to be shared once accepted).
● Professionalism: Treat everyone respectfully and act professionally throughout the programme.
How To Join Any Position?
1. Submit the Application Form
2. Once an opening is available, qualified applicants will be contacted.
3. Selected applicants will receive joining instructions and onboarding details via email.