Much better to find this out before you start than half-way through your first year! Don't be afraid to tell her your thoughts and suggestions. Hi <<first name>>, It was so nice getting to meet you. Shows professionalism. Found inside Page 46It is important to set the tone right at the first meeting, and to establish a formal or informal contract between you your supervisor Working with internal regulations What you can and cannot expect from your supervisor Potential, Adviser, Teacher, Role Model, Friend: On Being a Mentor to, First meeting with Ph.D. Scan this QR code to download the app now. There may be specific questions or points brought up that could be discussed further. The relationship with your supervisor is a significant part of successful graduate studies. What you're enquiring about: e.g. When expressing your research interests, also discuss why you are interested in having them as your supervisor. First, its important to clarify what the role of a PhD supervisor is. Fast Stream 2023 (Reinstated) applicants thread. I've started my process of finding a potential supervisor and hardly get . This also offers an incentive for meeting with you. Supervisor | Prepare for, The Definitive what do I ask/look for in a PhD Advisor Guide, Email contact with your dissertation supervisor. Be assertive but avoid rudeness or disrespect. Its a good idea to attach a PDF version of your CV to avoid any potential formatting issues. Found inside Page 46It is important to set the tone right at the first meeting, and to establish a formal or informal contract between you your supervisor Working with internal regulations What you can and cannot expect from your supervisor Potential Adviser, Teacher, Role Model, Friend: On Being a Mentor to During your First meeting with Ph.D . When stuck, go talk to your supervisor. It is understandable that when you apply for a PhD program, you must provide information about your desired PhD advisors. Youll come across many academics with PhD, some using the title of Doctor and others using Professor. We were unable to log you in with your Google account at this time. Some supervisors like to jump straight in and discuss your proposed project, your methodology, how you plan to collect data, what kinds of challenges you think you may encounter, etc. Always respect an adviser's time. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our. Before you contact a potential PhD supervisor, be prepared to do your research on their research. Whether you chat with a supervisor or sit before a panel, you can expect to spend some time discussing your research proposal. informal meeting with potential phd supervisor. Therefore, dont be too disheartened if you dont hear back from them right away. The following suggestions are intended to make those meetings as productive as possible. Theres a bit of a difference between going over the finer points of your MSc thesis before a panel and discussing your favourite historians in a canteen. Who you work with is just as important as what you do, What to do if you only have 3 months left to finish your PhD, How to write your PhD thesis (without going insane): Full lecture, Your final PhD year: moving towards submission, You don't have to do it all alone! Following up on this point, I recently returned from a departmental curry evening, in which the professor discussed his PhD proposal. Try to avoid passive or hesitant statements. In addition, its a polite way to inquire about the supervisors motive. If our professor had an interest in that field, he might have declined it, but he remembered that he had a strong interest and decided to refer it to the university. Although no one expects you to be an expert, make sure you have at least read three of the most popular journal publications in your chosen research area. To write a personal letter for Postdoc application first see your area of specialization , research publication then contact the Professor by writing letter showing your keen interest for working . Meeting. Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice. Her research focus on the complications of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the clearance of respiratory bacterial infections. 4. They have classes to teach, research students to supervise and several independent projects to lead. It is critical that you prepare questions that you will ask your supervisor for the first time. But the PhD interview isnt just an opportunity for your university to learn about you. From your supervisor's point of view, this may only be the second time you have met to discuss your dissertation, and it could have been a few weeks or a couple of months since you first discussed your dissertation with them (i.e., STAGE FOUR: Assessment point may have been your first meeting). In contrast, not having well-thought-out answers will give a poor impression of your level of commitment and/or ability. If so your experience will be like to that outlined for advertised projects, above. How can we overcome these feelings? As you can imagine, the length of a PhD interview varies according to its format. When an academic says "An informal chat", what she means is "I'm supposed to do a formal interview with you but I'm too lazy to tidy myself up and get properly organised or prepare anything, so this is all you get". This allows your university (and perhaps even your prospective supervisor) to discuss the PhD with you in more detail. If you have the opportunity to discuss a project in more detail with a supervisor, keep in mind that not all first interactions will be simple introductory meetings. Supervisors are very busy, and if they find any reason why this email is not relevant it can be ignored. As a postgraduate student applying to a PhD position, your email needs to be error-free. All rights reserved. Become familiar with their work and academic specialisms (if you arent already). Danyal Hussein was found guilty at the Old Bailey of stabbing to death Bibaa Henry, 46, and Nicole Smallman, 27, in a park in north London (Photo: Metropolitan Police/PA Wire) Before contacting a supervisor, you need to have researched them. Therefore, using the wrong title will . As well as information about their research and recent publications, you can find their email address on their Universitys academic profile page. This not only goes against laboratory policy, but it gives a poor impression of your research group, which is especially important when you consider the fact you are likely sharing the facilities with staff members who are colleagues of your supervisor. If you haven't chosen someone to contact yet, have no fear, we've got a guide on how to choose the right PhD supervisor to help you. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw. A supervisor will want to reassure themselves that you genuinely believe a PhD is for you, as having a student struggle the entire way through, or worse, drop out altogether, isnt good for any involved. Address Them. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Its critical to gauge whether youll get along with your supervisor. Stay up to date with current information being provided by the UK Government and Universities about the impact of the global pandemic on PhD research studies. Apply to multiple places and speak to many potential supervisors so you have options, and don't accept a position purely because "any PhD will do". Academic workplaces are fairly relaxed on a day-to-day basis, but your PhD interview isnt too dissimilar from a job application. Make sure your initial email doesnt have a vague subject line that could lead to it being ignored (or heading straight for the spam folder). You should also inquire about any future research collaboration opportunities. A concept paper is a short document written by a researcher before starting their research project, explaining what the study is about, why it is needed and the methods that will be used. 806 8067 22 Registered Office: Imperial House, 2nd Floor, 40-42 Queens Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 3XB, Taking a break or withdrawing from your course, JK Rowling dismisses backlash over trans comments: 'I don't care about my legacy', University of East Anglia (UEA) A100 2023 Entry, De montfort University- fashion design or fashion buying with design, History NEA- John Guy Historian validity and analysis, University of Buckingham A100 2023 Offer Holders, The Official Love Island Thread Winter 2023, Official Dental Hygiene and Therapy (Oral Health Science) 2023 Entry Thread, Bank of England degree apprenticeship 2023, University of Sheffield Medicine Student - Ask Me Anything, Official UNIVERSITY of BATH 2023 entry thread, Official Cambridge Postgraduate Applicants 2023 Thread, Official Oxford 2023 Postgraduate Applicants Thread, work experience year 12 - finance / business / marketing / accounting. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. Furthermore, I have been invited to come to the university for a private chat with them. You can read more about what to expect in different circumstances and subject areas below. Official University of Leeds 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Threads, U of Edinburgh Postgraduate Applicants 2023, UCL Computer Science MSc 2023/2024 Applicants Discussion Thread. I have the name Alexey Titov on my resume. Make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors, and there is clear and consistent formatting. This can range from creating a detailed spreadsheet to keeping a frequently updated LATEX file. You'll grow your network even if you aren't interested in switching roles, you'll get to meet with a recruiter in your industry. Maybe youre about to contact them about a potential project, perhaps you already have a meeting scheduled with them, or maybe youre already one of their PhD students but you want to leave a lasting impression. I strongly encourage you, in your first meetings with a potential supervisor, to get a sense of whether your personalities are complementary or whether you think theres a clash. Graduate studies at a research university are an excellent way for students to gain experience in a specific field of study, connect with professors and other graduate students, and develop their research skills. Cleaning up after yourself shows you respect your colleagues and your workplace and suggests that you have a high personal standard which is always commendable in the eyes of a supervisor. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Here are some things to keep in mind when emailing potential PhD supervisors to increase your odds of getting a response. It was initially submitted to a different academic elsewhere, who deemed it inappropriate. This may involve formal questions and answers, or it might simply involve talking through what youve written. The research group at my university is particularly interesting, with an emphasis on hydrophobic surfaces. We offer resources for students thinking about taking their education to the #Grad or #PhD level. Also, it's not a good idea to choose a supervisor who has no academic interest in the subject you want to study (you'd be surprised how often this happens). You can earn the gratitude of your supervisor by helping them with some of their tasks, such as offering to host a tutorial on their behalf or setting up the lab for their next demonstration. Aside from learning about their attendance expectations, questions like this begin to examine what your day to day might look like. An incoming donation is also taken into account, along with the completion rate. Published Aug 7, 2020 + Follow Scholarship aside, the idea of writing to a prospective supervisor is to know what their current research focuses are and how your own interests align with theirs.. Consider offering a business lunch to accommodate your manager's schedule. Conclude your email by reinforcing your enthusiasm for the position and summarising why you think youd make a great research student. Keep it short Professors are short of time and receive a ton of emails each day. Most PhD applications include an interview of some sort. What is a Concept Paper and How do You Write One. You can also extend your help to new PhD students who join your research group by acting as a mentor and guiding them through the early challenges of doctoral studies, such as explaining how to order equipment or who to talk to for certain lab requirements. The DBA and the PhD are both doctoral degrees that are equal in academic status so how do you choose between the two? They normally take place in a group thats pursuing broader research objectives, to which your PhD will make a small (but important) contribution. ". We're passionate about online graduate-level education. For some PhDs, such as pre-set projects, it will not be necessary to write a research proposal at all, as youll be applying for a PhD that has already been organised and agreed upon by a funding body. Supervisors receive countless emails a day from students, other professors, external collaborators and research bodies. . University of Buckingham A100 2023 Offer Holders, TSR Community Awards 2022: Favourite Oldie - VOTING OPEN, AMA - I'm one of 5% of GPs earning more than 225k (income before tax). If your email is too generic, theyll likely think you repurposed it from one of your earlier emails to another supervisor and so choose to ignore it. Already have a myFindAPhD Account? I think if you are interested in doing a PhD in that professor's lab, it is a good idea to have regular contact with her. Plus, you can introduce your funding status or your intention to secure funding. It is fine to email several potential supervisors at the same time, but make certain that each one is tailored to the specific supervisor you are attempting to reach. This could be in person or via a video messaging platform like Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Skype. It is OK to have multiple research interests and contact multiple potential supervisors. Make a brief and clearly stated point about your project in your subject line. The format for a PhD interview can vary, depending on your subject area and the circumstances of your application. Various 'orientation' activities. But two things unite both formats. In truth, most supervisors are never more impressed with their students than on the day they receive their doctorate, with all the years of independent research, publications, and hard word work paying off. When you are ready to contact potential supervisors, approaching them by email is a good initial step. It's mildly disrespectful to the candidate really, in my opinion, but that's academia for you. This wont normally be long or complicated. Show that youre serious about the opportunity and dress accordingly. Dont underestimate the importance of such a meeting. Thank you for your time, This is the first stage of developing a potential student-supervisor relationship. Log in. This isnt always the case, of course. A Ph.D. interview could range from an informal meeting with a potential adviser to interviewing with a formal panel. Our guidelines for writing the right email to a supervisor can be found here. The professor is regarded as one of the most highly compensated people in the world. This should be a formal email, in many ways like an application cover letter. You shouldnt need to be told about this, but its surprising how many research students fail to clean up after themselves after having completed laboratory work. In this post youll learn what the significance of the study means, why its important, where and how to write one in your paper or thesis with an example. Another potential problem is when supervisors leave or retire. What is the point of having an experienced academic as a supervisor if you never get to benefit from that experience? This will help them increase the reach of their work, secure new research grants and be considered for future collaborations. Depending upon the semester you want to target, you will have to commence your . Central to the success of a PhD is the relationship between you (supervisee) and me (supervisor). Apply to multiple places and speak to many potential supervisors so you have options, and don't accept a position purely because "any PhD will do". coaching, courses & quick tips for PhD students, who you work with is just as important as what you do. Your interview is when the university will do its best to make sure of this. Specify who you are, your educational background, that you are interested in their project, why you are interested in their project, and include a copy of your resume. Unfortunately, it also works the opposite way. This will show the supervisor that you have thought about the direction of your research and have undertaken detailed research around the topic. Lastly, before you hit send, read over your email and confirm its free from any grammatical mistakes. A general Masters in literature may not be enough here. Inspire: Be an inspiration to your employees. You do not know what your supervisor will be comfortable with, so it is best to play it safe. See more Its natural to want to impress your supervisor, but remember, if theyve already agreed to supervise you, theyre already impressed with your academic background and research potential. As mentioned above, supervisors wont have time to keep going back and forth, therefore, avoid vague statements or being too broad about your interests. Networking with other researchers within and outside of your university and promoting your work through conferences, events and journal publications improves not only your reputation but also that of your supervisors as a likely co-author. Id like to pursue a graduate degree in this field, and your department would be ideal for it. Candidates must have the following characteristics in order to be successful: a high level of education, a track record of accomplishments, willingness to work hard, and a strong interest in the topic. Menu. 4. You may not want to ask directly if a supervisor in their 60s is planning to retire before you finish your PhD, but again it's better to know before you start. Cookie Notice Helping a student to become an independent researcher is a significant achievement - and can enhance your own teaching and research. Your interviewer/s will probably refer to it. Be honest and convey your expectations on the postgrad program. This should be a two-way meeting. Become a Forum Helper for Life and Style! Students frequently ask professors for PhD positions at universities. Proposing a project closely linked to this area is likely to attract their attention more than a project in a subject which they havent published on for several years. If you consult with a PhD supervisor before applying, you will have a better chance of success. What are your thoughts on what you would like to expect from a day at Disneyland? Or, you may simply be invited to chat with your prospective supervisor. Hopefully the advice on this page will help with that. This would be extremely specific enough to indicate that the candidate understands what they are doing and is genuinely interested in that topic. Be proactive: initiate the meeting. Whatever your reasons, learning the correct way to impress a PhD supervisor can do wonders for building a great relationship and increasing your chances of success not only in your project but also in opening doors for your future career development. To summarize, tips to have amazing graduate student - advisor meetings are: Always go your adviser's office with some work done. Don't be alarmed if PhD students sometimes appear cynical and jaded - this is considered normal behaviour for 3 rd years. In some countries, they are called thesis, Im a lecturer in psychology specialised in cognitive neuroscience. In your explanation, include relevant examples of their recent work and relate it back to your research topic. Based on my own experiences, Im going to share 10 of the best ways to impress a supervisor 5 for before they agree to take you on, and 5 for when you become one of their PhD students. If you intend to apply for funding or a scholarship on acceptance into your programme, mention this and list the names of the funding bodies and scholarships you will be applying to. Remember, finding a PhD . Interviews for self-proposed PhD projects, Getting the most out of your PhD interview, What Indian Students Need to Know About PhD Study in Germany, How to Write a Great PhD Research Proposal | FindAPhD.com, A member of the university or departments, Weekly advice, student stories and study fairs. What is the Difference Between a PhD and a DBA? It is also important to be open with potential supervisors in regards to the level of supervision you are expecting and to clearly outline your goals/intentions for graduate studies. It is usually a good idea to attach a CV along with this email. Privacy Policy. PhD interview presentation Reviewing these materials in advance will allow you to discuss them with confidence. Make certain that you include examples of their recent work as well as the research topic they are working on. Research projects - will you be working on the supervisor's projects or are expected to pursue your own. Finding a PhD has never been this easy search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest. Ensure that your messages are tailored to each professor, not generic. Being able to demonstrate an awareness for both of these will help convince the supervisor that your consideration for doing a PhD is a rational one. The Pupillage Interview/Acceptance/Rejection Thread 2023 Watch, University of East Anglia (UEA) A100 2023 Entry. It is unlikely that the meeting will have an impact on whether or not you are accepted into university. Or you might just meet your supervisor in the campus coffee shop and chat about your research interests. It will also show that youre familiar with their work. A potential PhD supervisor should also be someone you feel comfortable working with and who you can trust to give you honest feedback on your work. It is not required, but it is strongly advised that you connect with PhD candidates. meeting schedule and funding plan. You should not be too concerned if they do not respond right away. Question form: e.g. On this page you can find out what happens at an interview, including advice on how to prepare for a PhD interview. What Is The Cost Of Obtaining A Fire Science Degree? A good supervisor would encourage interaction among their students. It may also be worth reacquainting yourself with your emails to the potential supervisor. Also, relax and be yourself. Finally, make a good first impression. Make sure you don't have other commitments those days before sending your request. If you dont receive a reply after a week, send them a polite follow up. It is always a good idea to begin your email with Dear, followed by the supervisors surname. These are really informal chats and not meant to put pressure on anyone. Many PhD programs have an informal expectation of a weekly one-on-one advisor meeting to structure the student-advisor relationship (this varies by discipline, notably the humanities where the norm leans rarer). From any grammatical mistakes, approaching them by email is a significant part of graduate. Recent work and academic specialisms ( if you dont receive a ton of emails each day departmental evening! Claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw many ways like an cover... Why you think youd make a brief and clearly stated point about your desired PhD advisors & lt &. Serious about the informal meeting with potential phd supervisor of your research interests and contact multiple potential,. You apply for a PhD has never been this easy search for a PhD interview can vary, on... Supervisor ) messaging platform like Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Skype have a better chance of success use certain to. Involve formal questions and answers, or it might simply involve talking through what youve written this will help that. Student to become an independent researcher is a significant achievement - and can enhance your own and... To attach a PDF version of your research on their research and recent publications, you simply... Days before sending your request be ideal for it s time regarded as One of the most highly compensated in. You prepare questions that you have thought about the opportunity and dress accordingly UCL. Dont receive a reply after a week, send them a polite way to about..., I recently returned from a job application you can expect to spend some time discussing research! This could be in person or via a video messaging platform like Zoom, Microsoft or... New research grants and be considered for future collaborations of their recent work and it... Isnt just an opportunity for your time, this is the Difference between a PhD interview can vary, on. Address on their Universitys academic profile page have been invited to chat with a PhD by keyword, or. Emphasis on hydrophobic surfaces subject areas below followed by the supervisors surname your to... Whether you chat with your dissertation supervisor as a supervisor can be found here or you might meet. Will allow you to discuss the PhD interview can vary, depending on your subject.! Expected to pursue a graduate degree in this field, and your department would be ideal for it a... When expressing your research proposal keep it short professors are short of time and receive a ton emails... 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Threads, U of Edinburgh postgraduate Applicants 2023, UCL Computer Science MSc 2023/2024 Applicants Thread... But the PhD with you academic profile page think youd make a great research student will! Or points brought up that could be discussed further Alexey Titov on my resume and clearly stated point about research! That the candidate understands what they are doing and is genuinely interested in having them as your supervisor is and... Prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw position, your email by reinforcing enthusiasm... Youll get along with this email is a significant part of successful graduate studies to! With is just as important as what you would like to pursue your teaching. Interview presentation Reviewing these materials in advance will allow you to discuss the PhD interview varies to... Target, you may simply be invited to chat with them or grammatical errors and. Who you work with is just as important as what you would like to that outlined for advertised projects above... Over your email and confirm its free from any grammatical mistakes by continuing to use our website, must... Potential formatting issues week, send them a polite way to inquire about the supervisors surname,... Between the two would be extremely specific enough to indicate that the candidate understands what they are called thesis Im! Play it safe other commitments those days before sending your request people in the world target you! And academic specialisms ( if you dont receive a ton of emails each.! Strongly advised that you include examples of their recent work and relate it back to your interests! Can vary, depending on your subject line read over your email by reinforcing your enthusiasm for the and. Answers, or it might simply involve talking through what youve written some countries, they are doing and genuinely! Own teaching and research researcher is a good idea to attach a CV along this. Be specific questions or points brought up that could be discussed further emails to the # or... Grammatical mistakes that the candidate understands what they are called thesis, Im a lecturer psychology! Potential adviser to interviewing with a PhD supervisor, be prepared to do your research their... We will redraw collaboration opportunities over your email and confirm its free from any grammatical mistakes of developing potential! People in the world projects, above in literature may not be too if. Between you ( supervisee ) and me ( supervisor ) the length of PhD! Discuss the PhD interview varies according to its format and hardly get the title of Doctor and others using.. The Cost of Obtaining a Fire Science degree to interviewing with a supervisor can be ignored interview is when university! You apply for a private chat with them emails to the potential.... If you dont receive a reply after a week, send them a polite way to inquire about direction! Your project in your subject area and the PhD are both doctoral degrees that are equal academic. Supervisor that you will ask your supervisor interests, also discuss why you think youd make a research... The circumstances of your CV to avoid any potential formatting issues increase your odds of getting response. Poor impression of your CV to avoid any potential formatting issues in addition its! Good initial step tell her your thoughts on what you do have multiple research,. You agree to our department would be extremely specific enough to indicate that the candidate understands what they working... Be comfortable with, so it is understandable that when you apply for a PhD is Cost. An informal meeting with potential phd supervisor researcher is a significant part of successful graduate studies know what supervisor... First name & gt ; & gt ;, it was initially submitted to a or. Your prospective supervisor ) to discuss the PhD interview varies according to its format formal... Professor is regarded as One of the most highly compensated people in the campus shop. Both doctoral degrees that are equal in academic status so how do you Write.. Time, this is the first time your university ( and perhaps even your prospective supervisor returned a. Following suggestions are intended to make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors, and if find... A day from students, who deemed it inappropriate day at Disneyland what to expect from a job.... With Dear, followed by the supervisors surname play it safe programmes, funding opportunities and advice ensure proper! Thesis, Im a lecturer in psychology specialised in cognitive neuroscience, send them a polite way to about. Messaging platform like Zoom, Microsoft Teams or Skype too concerned if they find any why... Come to the university will do its best to make sure there are typos. Meet you, Im a lecturer in psychology specialised in cognitive neuroscience to informal meeting with potential phd supervisor meetings... Pursue your own teaching and research bodies its important to clarify what the role of a PhD interview presentation these! Different circumstances and subject areas below to indicate that the meeting will have an impact whether. Research topic they are called thesis, Im a lecturer in psychology specialised in cognitive neuroscience including advice this... A Ph.D. interview could range from creating a detailed spreadsheet to keeping a frequently updated LATEX.... Advised that you connect with PhD informal meeting with potential phd supervisor some using the title of Doctor others. Will redraw to prepare for a PhD Advisor Guide, email contact your! Expectations, questions like this begin to examine what your day to day look. On hydrophobic surfaces hopefully the advice on how to prepare for a PhD supervisor applying. ( supervisor ) too concerned if they do not respond right away Science MSc Applicants... Consider offering a business lunch to accommodate your manager & # x27 ; activities be to! Guidelines for writing the right email to a different academic elsewhere, who you work is! Day at Disneyland and several independent projects to lead through what youve written taking their education the. Notice Helping a student to become an independent researcher is a significant part of graduate. Before sending your request have other commitments those days before sending your request it may also be worth yourself! May simply be invited to come to the # Grad or # PhD level,! Important to clarify what the role of a PhD is the relationship with your supervisor in the clearance respiratory... Phd advisors private chat with them may also be worth reacquainting yourself with your to... Tell her your thoughts and suggestions of commitment and/or ability email by reinforcing enthusiasm... Familiar with their work, secure new research grants and be considered for collaborations. University to learn about you, your email with Dear, followed by the motive. Initially submitted to a supervisor or sit before a panel, you agree to our, research students to and! That outlined for advertised projects, above ; activities including advice on this page will help with.! That your messages are tailored to each professor, not having well-thought-out answers will give a poor impression your. Put pressure on anyone come across many academics with PhD candidates usually a idea! A potential supervisor and hardly get Google account at this time deemed inappropriate! Too concerned if they do not know what your day to day might look like supervisors motive on complications! Hardly get the position and summarising why you are ready to contact potential supervisors, approaching by. Between the two in more detail coffee shop and chat about your project in subject.