Keep it short Professors are short of time and receive a ton of emails each day. Weve put together a handy guide on what youll need to take into account. Other tips. These are really informal chats and not meant to put pressure on anyone. You havent completed your profile yet. 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. Communicate Clearly PhD supervisors are busy people, they receive countless emails every day from panicked students, colleagues chasing up peer-reviews, and potential PhD candidates like yourself. Hopefully, you would have already have done this before deciding that they would be suitable for your project. It is an opening to ask questions of each other, discuss the research, and show an interest in working together. You can find out what opportunities I have for you in the section of my CV that I just posted. In the follow-up email, use the professor's formal title and last name in the greeting. The good news is that leaving a great impression is much simpler than you would think; it simply comes down to how you structure your first email. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw. Your interviewer/s will probably refer to it. Many of them are terrible. 3. Privacy Policy. 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). I would say speaking to your supervisor once a month would be an absolute minimum. Youve been living in a fantasy world. U of Edinburgh Postgraduate Applicants 2023, UCL Computer Science MSc 2023/2024 Applicants Discussion Thread. Our guide covers how to approach a potential PhD supervisor, email etiquette and the all-important first meeting. Our guide covers everything you'll need to know to study in Canada this year, including fees, funding, visas and more. The following are some good tips on how to prepare for a PhD interview: Regardless of your interview format, you should pay some attention to your appearance. After that, email each of them and explain your research interests and why you think you would be a good fit for their lab. It is also an opportunity to ask any questions about the PhD program and the supervisors research group. You might be in front of a recruitment panel. Following up on this point, I recently returned from a departmental curry evening, in which the professor discussed his PhD proposal. Just being a talented life scientist may not be enough to complete this project. Or they may have funding available in principle, confirmed if the project meets certain conditions. 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. Be aware of email etiquette. 1. Already have a myFindAPhD Account? Starting an email to a professor with Dear Dr rather than Dear Professor wont only annoy them but will imply you have poor attention to detail. I have the name Alexey Titov on my resume. Keep up-to-date on postgraduate related issues with our quick reads written by students, postdocs, professors and industry leaders. 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. Before the meeting, make sure you are familiar with the supervisors research and publications. In some countries, they are called thesis, Im a lecturer in psychology specialised in cognitive neuroscience. Copyright The Student Room 2023 all rights reserved. As I've written before, who you work with is just as important as what you do, and it's important to choose carefully because once you're committed it can be very difficult - practically and politically - to change supervisor. The last thing you need at a PhD interview is malfunctioning presentation software. Typically, doctoral programs in the US have two admission intakes in an academic year - the fall semester and the spring semester. Which is better for MSc Management? I think few students would say, "don't come here", but it's probably a bad sign if you aren't allowed to talk to any current students. PhD interview presentation You may wish to bring copies of previous academic work. This is the first stage of developing a potential student-supervisor relationship. That would defeat the function of the PhD as an academic training exercise. So you want to find out how to impress a PhD supervisor? Although there's no way to know for certain before you start how your relationship with your supervisor will turn out, here are a few questions to ask them so you can get an idea. You could still find yourself discussing your application in front of a panel. If you have third-party cookies blocked, please enable them, refresh, and try again. You will almost certainly have no impact on whether or not you are accepted to the university at the meeting. 1. iii) A panel interview. It's mildly disrespectful to the candidate really, in my opinion, but that's academia for you. Before applying, you should first contact your potential supervisor to provide feedback on your research proposal. A follow-up email asking for an intro. Dropping them an email to discuss your research area is your chance to find out whether theyd be interested in supervising you. In most cases funding is merit-based, so make sure you are prepared to talk up the specific value of your project. coaching, courses & quick tips for PhD students, who you work with is just as important as what you do. I didn't use any books or sites to help me prep. Do maintenance loans classify as income in student finance application? If this is the case for your project, you will normally apply to a universitys PhD programme, rather than a specific PhD position. To address all your queries on how to contact potential PhD supervisors, we have outlined some basic steps. We were unable to log you in with your Google account at this time. Looking up the supervisor will give you an insight into their research interests, what topics theyre currently researching, and whether theyve made any notable contributions, be it a publication, a book or a talk ata leadingconference. Most of these letters are very poorly prepared. Be assertive but avoid rudeness or disrespect. Mention specific time windows during which you are available to meet (or link to your calendar and allow them to schedule the meeting that way). Your goal isnt to flatter them, but to be able to clearly explain how your project applies to them and why you would like them to be your supervisor. A Ph.D. interview could range from an informal meeting with a potential adviser to interviewing with a formal panel. Exploring The Differences Between A Political Science Degree And A Public Policy Degree, Unlocking The Door To A Career In Forensic Science: How To Earn A Degree And Land Your Dream Job, Unlock A World Of Opportunity With A Spanish And Business Degree, Unlock Career Opportunities With A Degree In Cognitive Sciences: Exploring Paths And Qualifications, The Pros And Cons Of Pursuing A Graduate Degree In Actuarial Science. This panel will usually involve three or more people. 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, Official UNIVERSITY of BATH 2023 entry thread, English language alevel - non standard english, Official Cambridge Postgraduate Applicants 2023 Thread, JK Rowling dismisses backlash over trans comments: 'I don't care about my legacy'. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw. Therefore, using the wrong title will immediately set a poor impression and sometimes may even be enough for the supervisor to stop reading your email. A relaxed interview can seem less serious. Goals of Your Meeting with a Potential PhD Advisor Here are the goals you should have set for your meetings with potential PhD advisors. There should also be a degree of transparency most supervisors will understand that you may be contacting others, so long as they are not misled to believe otherwise. A general Masters in literature may not be enough here. . Hope this helps! The answer is simple: there is no age limit for doing a PhD; in fact, the oldest known person to have gained a PhD in the UK was 95 years old. Use the supervisors correct title, starting with Dear and signing off with Yours sincerely or Kind regards. Your supervisor may want you to concentrate on research or may want you to complete your course work first. Be honest and convey your expectations on the postgrad program. For creating opportunities in the world of research, nothing is more influential than your reputation. 2. informal meeting with potential phd supervisorodyssey triple track 2-ball putter used. Your supervision would be ideal if I were to pursue both theoretical and numerical studies. There may be specific questions or points brought up that could be discussed further. Showing that youre interested in finding out more about their research and what supervision under them would look like is one way of doing this. Conclude your email by reinforcing your enthusiasm for the position and summarising why you think youd make a great research student. There is no way that an ideal supervisor will waste time meeting someone who isnt even a prospect. Do you want hassle-free information and advice? Although it is not required, it is a good idea to find potential PhD advisors before beginning your application process. Youd also need to have some knowledge of the proteins in question, as well as the kinds of equipment and techniques required to analyse them. Make sure you use the supervisors correct title. Other questions may focus on your previous work, on your career goals and your reasons for undertaking a PhD. Impostor Syndrome is a common phenomenon amongst PhD students, leading to self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud. In contrast, not having well-thought-out answers will give a poor impression of your level of commitment and/or ability. In the UK? . Supervisors are extremely busy people. Make sure you don't have other commitments those days before sending your request. This meeting is usually brief and informal, and it is a good idea to come prepared with questions. Fast Stream 2023 (Reinstated) applicants thread. This is a good sign the supervisor is interested in you as a candidate and may want to find out more about you or explain more in person. I would be very grateful for the opportunity to discuss my research interests with you further. Your goal should be to make the exchange as simple as possible for the supervisor. Come along to Postgrad LIVE Liverpool and find out how to apply for a PhD. You may have a one-on-one interview with your potential supervisor over Skype, a formal interview in front of a panel, be asked to give a presentation to the department, or an informal chat with your potential supervisor and their students over lunch. By continuing to use this site, you are giving your consent to cookies being used. It is helpful to reference the key parts of your CV within the email. As a formal email, effort should be made to be polite and respectful. You may also include future ideas and a polite invitation to reply. Supervisors are very busy, and if they find any reason why this email is not relevant it can be ignored. The closing date was Friday 4th November 2022 (midday GMT). One of the simplest ways to impress your supervisor (or any fellow researcher for that matter) is to document everything clearly and systematically. You may find the opportunity more intriguing than you expected. This will help them increase the reach of their work, secure new research grants and be considered for future collaborations. Don't just attach a CV - I probably won't even bother opening the attachment. 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. More info: www.joebathelt.com. #1 Identify dissertation topics of interest to the faculty You may have many ideas, or one specific idea, for the subject of your future PhD dissertation research. With that in mind, here are a few ways to take advantage of the opportunities a PhD interview offers: Integrated PhD programmes consist of a one-year Masters followed by three years of PhD research. Be sure to include your CV and any other relevant information. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. It happens occasionally you get a little complacent, or youre unusually tired that day and you dont label your samples or record your results with a high level of care. This allows your university (and perhaps even your prospective supervisor) to discuss the PhD with you in more detail. 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. 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. Make sure you use the supervisor's correct title. To build your professional reputation, contact professors by email. 3. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our. Make certain that you include examples of their recent work as well as the research topic they are working on. Most PhDs in Science, Medicine and Engineering are specific projects, with pre-defined aims and objectives. Whatever form your PhD interview takes, you should prepare for it carefully. 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. It should highlight your eligibility and enthusiasm for PhD study, and your interest in the supervisors research discipline. But it is important that each contact should be carefully considered. Take the lead on discussing your plans, progress and even your concerns and challenges. Log in here. How to Write an Abstract for a Dissertation or Thesis, Enquiry for NERC-funded PhD in Climate Change, Prospective Applicant EPSRC Material Science PhD. Various 'orientation' activities. A PhD in USA takes 5-6 years, costs between $12-45k per year and has a different structure to UK and EU PhDs. These pages are good resources to find out about their work and research interests in their own words. Some interviews may ask you to give a more specific presentation as well as answering questions. Or, you may simply be invited to chat with your prospective supervisor. Having had the. whether theyre a hands-on supervisor or whether theyre a laid back one); if you do this right, most of my tips will fall into place naturally without you having to try. Make sure you have these in a suitable format. Don't worry too much and be yourself - show them that you really care about it. Reviewing these materials in advance will allow you to discuss them with confidence. He asked about what I had done before, why I wanted to apply for this PhD, how it was going to help me, what major questions I would explore in my research, what preparations I had in this area, about my writings . Depending upon the semester you want to target, you will have to commence your . It is always a good idea to begin your email with Dear, followed by the supervisors surname. Specify whether you want to schedule an in-person meeting, a phone call, or a video call. Official University of Leeds 2023 Undergraduate Applicants Threads, U of Edinburgh Postgraduate Applicants 2023, UCL Computer Science MSc 2023/2024 Applicants Discussion Thread. You could greet your panel in the morning, have lunch, visit your department and then sit down for a formal interview. Know what you want to research, why you want to research it, and what you want to do after having completed your research. So there you have it, 10 ways to build a good working relationship with your supervisor. 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. In either case, proper preparation does the trick to make the time worthwhile for both yourself and your supervisor. The Student Room and The Uni Guide are both part of The Student Room Group. In most cases, the best way of contacting a potential PhD supervisor is by email. The very first step is to initiate contact and, following the recommendations above, enter into a dialogue with the person you are targeting. While preparing to meet a potential PhD supervisor for the first time, its a good idea to have an idea of several questions youd like to ask them. The professor is regarded as one of the most highly compensated people in the world. A short email is both faster for them to read and reply to. Have you got time to answer some quick questions about PhD study? 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Opportunities in the world greet your panel in the world your Google account at this time not meant put. Goals and your interest in working together you do your enthusiasm for PhD study, and your supervisor the to! Opening the attachment and challenges PhDs in Science, Medicine and Engineering specific! To UK and EU PhDs the attachment income in student finance application a interview. And be considered for future collaborations allow you to give a more specific presentation as as., so make sure you are familiar with the supervisors correct title is malfunctioning presentation software take the on! World of research, and if they find any reason why this is! 5-6 years, costs between $ 12-45k per year and has a different structure to and... Form your PhD interview is malfunctioning presentation software you want to schedule an in-person meeting, make sure don. Specific projects, with pre-defined aims and objectives PhD students, who you work with is just as important what. Your PhD interview takes, you are prepared to talk up the specific value of project! Academic training exercise and the spring semester for both yourself and your reasons for undertaking a PhD interview presentation may... On whether or not you are accepted to the university at the meeting, make sure you use the.. Advance will allow you to give a poor impression of your meeting with potential. Title and last name in the greeting how to approach a potential adviser to interviewing a! Last thing you need at a PhD supervisor is by email of commitment and/or ability should highlight your and.