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. 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. Come along to Postgrad LIVE Liverpool and find out how to apply for a PhD. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw. Imperial / UCL Computer Science MSc 2023/24 Applicants, MPhil Basic and Translational Neuroscience 2023 October Entrants, Warwick Postgraduate applicants 2023/2024, Educational Psychology Doctorate 2023 Intake. Your interviewer/s will probably refer to it. Crafting a good research proposal can be time-consuming and may require a deeper understanding of the potential supervisors research before starting writing. 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.. 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. Share Improve this answer Follow answered Nov 16, 2020 at 22:42 user1271772 4,193 10 43 5 Show that youre serious about the opportunity and dress accordingly. Regardless of how you document your work, stick to a single system and make it so detailed that anyone can pick up and continue your research without having to ask for clarification. If you have third-party cookies blocked, please enable them, refresh, and try again. This can range from creating a detailed spreadsheet to keeping a frequently updated LATEX file. 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. Youll also need to bring any presentation materials youve been asked to prepare. Informal interviews are unlikely to include a presentation. Academic integrity wins out, but money doesnt always work. Before applying, you should first contact your potential supervisor to provide feedback on your research proposal. It is usually better to identify your potential supervisor and have already contacted them before writing and submitting a research proposal. Hi <<first name>>, It was so nice getting to meet you. Menu. There may be specific questions or points brought up that could be discussed further. 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. Thank you for your time, Being a talented researcher isnt only about being able to conduct research, but also about being able to do so independently. I've started my process of finding a potential supervisor and hardly get . During my interview for a PhD position, I was introduced to one of the students who seemed to have a very positive opinion of the research group and the support and supervision he received. Applying to multiple unis with this course. FindAPhD. Include a clear subject line Make sure your initial email doesn't have a vague subject line that could lead to it being ignored (or heading straight for the spam folder). She is now a neuroscientist and childrens book author and will be opening her own lab in the Department of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the University of California Davis later this year (2020). In these cases, its best to start looking for alternative supervisors. Already have a myFindAPhD Account? These are really informal chats and not meant to put pressure on anyone. An informal lunch with your prospective supervisor, other members of your interview panel and / or current PhD students. Helping a student to become an independent researcher is a significant achievement - and can enhance your own teaching and research. It needs to ensure that the project is viable, that you understand whats involved in completing it and that you care enough about it to do so. You now have an opportunity to discuss your interests, ask questions, and meet your potential supervisor to see if they are compatible with you. Fast Stream 2023 (Reinstated) applicants thread. 4. You can find a good breakdown of how to structure your first email here How to Email a Potential PhD Supervisor. Due to your Facebook privacy settings, we were unable to create your account at this time. Considering whether to do an MBA or a PhD? When you apply for a PhD position, its likely that your main concern is whether or not they accept you, but you must also think about whether the supervisor is right for you. Typically, doctoral programs in the US have two admission intakes in an academic year - the fall semester and the spring semester. 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. Supervisors are very busy, and if they find any reason why this email is not relevant it can be ignored. Meeting with potential PhD supervisor- what to expect? Make a brief and clearly stated point about your project in your subject line. The main component will be a question and answer session in front of a designated postgraduate recruitment panel. In most cases funding is merit-based, so make sure you are prepared to talk up the specific value of your project. Thank the supervisor for their time and end your email with Kind regards followed by your first and last name in full. This could take place in their office or in an informal setting on campus. countertop display case; 76ers starting lineup; asics kayano vs nimbus plantar fasciitis; Some of the benefits of going to an informal interview are: It's a relatively low-key way to sharpen your interview skills. It wont be necessary to confirm that you have the specific skills needed for a specific project. Plan Your Timelines. meeting schedule and funding plan. Ideally, you want to create a [] Each hinges on a discussion of your academic interests, achievements and goals. State the purpose for the meeting. Here are the 6 supervisory skills steps to lead by example and provide you with. Copyright 2005-2023 Her research focus on the complications of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the clearance of respiratory bacterial infections. 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. Try to smile during meetings. Supervisors are extremely busy people. You wont necessarily need to bring anything specific to a PhD interview, unless youve been asked to. Whether you chat with a supervisor or sit before a panel, you can expect to spend some time discussing your research proposal. This blog post helps you understand the differences. A general Masters in literature may not be enough here. Hello Professor Smith, I am writing to inquire about the possibility of working with you as my PhD supervisor. 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. This panel will usually involve three or more people. Imagine a PhD that involves analysing a specific kind of protein folding. Supervisors can have hectic schedules and may not be able to reply to every email in good time. 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. they might have a few papers for you to read to Dropping them an email to discuss your research area is your chance to find out whether theyd be interested in supervising you. Here are some things to keep in mind when emailing potential PhD supervisors to increase your odds of getting a response. When youre invited to an interview, your prospective department will let you know what their expectations are for the presentation. Uni of Durham v Uni of Bath v Bristol. Make sure you use the supervisors correct title. Academic workplaces are fairly relaxed on a day-to-day basis, but your PhD interview isnt too dissimilar from a job application. Make sure there are no typos or grammatical errors, and there is clear and consistent formatting. Once your panel has finished asking its questions, you will be invited to ask questions of your own. Questions you must ask potential PhD advisor or even MSc Advisor is a very important aspect of grad school that we sometimes take for granted. Some interviews may ask you to give a more specific presentation as well as answering questions. Here are some suggestions: This is the first stage of developing a potential student-supervisor relationship. Cookie Notice It is generally preferred to communicate via email, but if the advisor provides it, please use the advisors website. Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice. But you will need to be the kind of student who can develop the necessary skills and expertise in the time available. 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 . What you're enquiring about: e.g. You are successfully registered Thanks for telling us about yourself, ! Its well known that contacting a potential PhD supervisor before applying to their position can greatly increase your chances of success. You may wish to bring copies of previous academic work. We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Nothing makes a supervisor happier than an active student taking full responsibility for his or her project. Log in here. I felt like it was a pretty informal meeting - you kind of get a feel for people, and I suggest sticking with your gut. You can avoid the unsuitable ones by quickly looking through the message and ignoring them. However, you may still be invited to talk freely about your academic interests or offer an overview of previous research work. This article will explain the key differences between a PhD and a MD, from program structure and length to career outlook. In either case, proper preparation does the trick to make the time worthwhile for both yourself and your supervisor. . Scared that I underestimated my course and will have no social life PwC Flying Start Degree: Technology. When looking at the research web pages of a prospective supervisor, carefully read the topics they are interested in and identify the details in sufficient detail so that they can recognize that you are not sending the same message to them. 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. Equally, there may not be funding available, but your prospective supervisor is still considering investing three years (or more) of their time and effort guiding your project and assisting your development. Even a more informal discussion will touch on aspects of your previous work and explore your current research proposal. Your interview is when the university will do its best to make sure of this. 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. Addressing your supervisor. Which is better for MSc Management? So there you have it, 10 ways to build a good working relationship with your supervisor. This is a recipe for missed opportunities, which can result in lower performance. They will provide support and advice on all aspects of your research, from choosing a topic to writing your thesis. Supervision can play a vital role in enabling students to fulfil their potential. 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. This section could act like a mini CV, and even complement it if attached. 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