Build confidence, clarity and momentum in your academic career.
A supportive coaching community for Early Career Researchers who want to thrive, not just survive.
Develop confidence and a stronger professional identity
Gain practical strategies, support, and accountability from peers and expert coaches
So why does being an Early Career Researcher sometimes feel so hard?
One day you're excited by the possibilities ahead of you.
The next you're wondering whether everyone else has somehow received a handbook you never got.
Navigating academia isn't just about research expertise.
Success depends on your ability to build relationships, collaborate effectively, communicate your ideas, manage setbacks, make good career decisions and maintain your wellbeing in a demanding environment.
Yet most researchers are expected to learn these skills on their own.
You don't have to figure it out alone.
Momentum is a supportive coaching community for Early Career Researchers who want to thrive, not just survive.
Each month you'll join a facilitated group coaching session where you can step away from the day-to-day pressure, reflect on what's really going on, learn from others facing similar challenges, and leave with practical actions you can apply immediately.
This isn't another webinar.
This isn't generic career advice.
This is a space to think, grow and develop alongside people who understand the realities of academic life.
Momentum is designed for researchers who find themselves thinking:
I don't always feel confident enough.
I struggle with visibility and self-promotion.
I'd like to communicate more effectively.
I'm not sure what my next career step should be.
I often feel isolated.
I'm juggling too many priorities.
I'd like a trusted network beyond my immediate team.
I know I have more potential than I'm currently using.
I want to grow without burning out.
If that sounds familiar, you're not alone.
Imagine what could be different
Imagine having a trusted network beyond your immediate team. Imagine feeling clearer about your next career step. Imagine approaching interviews, presentations and opportunities with greater confidence.
And that's just the start.
Feel more confident contributing in meetings and collaborations
Communicate your ideas and achievements more confidently
Stopped feeling like everyone else had the handbook you never received
That's the momentum we're here to help you build.
You don't have to figure it out alone. Momentum is a supportive coaching community for Early Career Researchers who want to thrive, not just survive.
Why group coaching works
The real power of Momentum comes from the community.
By learning alongside other researchers, you'll gain fresh perspectives, practical ideas and support from people facing similar challenges. Many participants discover that knowing they are not alone is just as valuable as the coaching itself.
✅ Learn from others' experiences
✅ Build a trusted professional network
✅ Gain confidence through peer support
✅ Develop coaching and listening skills
✅ Celebrate successes together.
What you'll gain
Confidence
Understand your unique strengths and learn how to bring your best to your work, relationships and career.
Connection
Join a supportive community of researchers who encourage, challenge and celebrate each other.
Career resilience
Develop practical approaches for managing setbacks, uncertainty and the pressures of academic life.
Imagine six months from now
Before Momentum
After Momentum
🔸 Feeling isolated with challenges and uncertainty
🔸 Personality clash with supervisor
🔸 Struggling to balance competing demands
🔸 Questioning whether you're doing enough
🔸 Finding it hard to articulate my value
🔸 Reacting to problems rather than shaping my future
✅ Greater confidence in yourself and your decisions
✅ A supportive network of peers who understand academia
✅ Practical strategies for navigating challenges
✅ Clearer understanding of strengths and people's differing needs
✅ A stronger sense of direction and professional identity
Cohort approach
In eight live sessions over 12 weeks you'll join a facilitated, live, group coaching group where you can step away from the day-to-day pressure, reflect on what's really going on, learn from others facing similar challenges, and leave with practical actions you can apply immediately.
Each session is 75 minutes long.
This isn't another webinar.
This isn't generic career advice.
This is a space to think, grow, and develop alongside people who understand the realities of academic life.
And a dedicated private space to connect and access documents.
The vocabulary to articulate what you do best
By leveraging CliftonStrengths, you can precisely describe your innate talents, turn them into strengths, know your needs, and asks of others. Momentum cohorts open quarterly, enabling you to align with peers in your sector and accelerate outcomes.
ABOUT
Hey, I'm Jan
I've spent over two decades helping people unlock their potential and perform at their best. Through my work as a certified CliftonStrengths coach, consultant and visiting professor, I've seen first-hand that success isn't just about expertise. It's about confidence, connection, and knowing how to navigate challenges.
That's why I created Momentum: a supportive community where Early Career Researchers can build confidence, resilience and momentum for the future.
Testimonials
We've introduced nealry 4000 people to their CliftonStrengths. Group coaching offer depth over workshops and time to focus on personal challenges and insecurities whether personal or operational.
Helped as had a tough year at work it helped me understand myself more. The work that we've done last summer - I feel like I understand the way I manage myself better.
Pauline, Engineer
My biggest problem is isolation. I don’t know who to reach out to. Rely on people I know outside rather than colleagues.
Giselle, Mentoring Manager
This helped me sort and understand the jumble in my head. Having words to articualte what I need... helped me set boundaries. Being able to understand others means I feel better about delegating.
Pat, university leader
Working with Jan has been transformative and eye opening, helping me dig deeper to identify my strengths and ways to enhance them.
Mo Oyetunji
Engineer
Information for supervisors and funding approvers
Momentum develops the professional capabilities that underpin long-term research success, including communication, collaboration, resilience, self-leadership and career management. Participants apply learning directly to workplace challenges.
Participants typically report increased confidence, stronger professional relationships, improved communication, greater self-awareness, enhanced resilience and increased clarity about career goals and next steps.
Momentum supports engagement, retention, collaboration, wellbeing and the development of future academic leaders.
The programme is designed to fit alongside demanding research roles with a eight, 75 minute live coaching sessions over 12 weeks.. Allow 75 minutes for 8 sessions and a further 45 minutes preparation and reflection per session. With the programme running over 12 weeks allow 2 hours per week for the ‘gap’ weeks, to practice and connect with the peers in the group.
No. Momentum focuses on immediate workplace application using real challenges from the participant’s current role.
Postdoctoral researchers, research fellows, new lecturers and others navigating the early stages of an academic career. People at the point of transition unsure of what next and how to prepare.
Yes. The themes of confidence, collaboration, communication and career development apply across disciplines.
Many participants join specifically to build confidence. Sessions provide a supportive environment and peer learning. Group coaching offers the advantage over 1-2-1 coaching with a blend of taught content and break-out practice. The pressure is not on one person in front of a group.
Momentum combines coaching, peer learning, accountability and CliftonStrengths development focused on real-life challenges.
Jan Peters MBE, founder of Katalytik, has a PhD in radtiaon resistance for satellite solar cells, manufacturng and science policy. She is a certified CliftonStrengths coach and leadership consultant.
Momentum uses proven approaches to coaching and peer groups. Programme graduates have secured their dream job, confidence growth to apply for and win awards, and yongest ever chartered engineer in their insitute.
Participants agree to confidentiality principles that support trust and open discussion.
Participants remain connected through the broader Momentum community and resources.
Momentum helps researchers build confidence, capability and career momentum while strengthening engagement and future leadership potential.
Need funding?
Many participants have accessed funding through:
Researcher development budgets
Staff development funds
Departmental training budgets
Grant training allocations
Download our guide to help you approach supervisors and funding approvers.
Give your career a boost with Momentum
Which option works best for you?
Momentum Group Coaching
Build confidence, connection, and career momentum in your academic career through a supportive coaching community for Early Career Researchers.
Thank you
Momentum Accelerator coaching
Three 1-2-1 personal coaching sessions to support the Momentum group coaching programme. These 75 minute sessions can be taken over 6 months.
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Momentum Plus
The complete development experience for Early Career Researchers.Momentum Plus combines the power of peer learning and group coaching with personalised one-to-one support to achieve goals faster.
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Up to eight seats can be purchased in one transaction above to make up a complete cohort.
Payments can also be made via purchase order and invoice. Simply call or email
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