Keep up-to-date on postgraduate related issues with our quick reads written by students, postdocs, professors and industry leaders. 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) Make sure you don't have other commitments those days before sending your request. Which is better for MSc Management? After the meeting, it is worth evaluating everything you have learned about each potential supervisor and begin to compare them. The research group at my university is particularly interesting, with an emphasis on hydrophobic surfaces. Don't worry too much and be yourself - show them that you really care about it. Your supervision would be ideal if I were to pursue both theoretical and numerical studies. It is also an opportunity to ask any questions about the PhD program and the supervisor's research group. Try to find out what kind of character your supervisor has before joining their research group (e.g. Please find my CV attached. 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. Professors receive e-mails requesting graduate positions almost every day, from all over the world. A general Masters in literature may not be enough here. Considering whether to do an MBA or a PhD? A chat in your supervisors office can probably be treated more casually than a formal panel interview, but theres no harm in erring on the safe side. Supervisors appreciate this type of action as it creates a friendly and collaborative environment for the research group for which they are ultimately responsible for. For example, you might pick up on the fact that the supervisor has recently published several papers or attended a number of conferences on a particular subject. When stuck, go talk to your supervisor. Being a talented researcher isnt only about being able to conduct research, but also about being able to do so independently. Finally, make a good first impression. 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). Copy-pasting an email and sending it to multiple potential supervisors isnt a good idea. First, its important to clarify what the role of a PhD supervisor is. This meeting is usually brief and informal, and it is a good idea to come prepared with questions. Crafting a good research proposal can be time-consuming and may require a deeper understanding of the potential supervisors research before starting writing. Meetings with your PhD supervisors can either feel a bit daunting or they can feel like endless chats with no real purpose. Thank you for your time, If you have third-party cookies blocked, please enable them, refresh, and try again. Besides, its not that difficult to discard your samples, wipe down your surfaces and record all perishable items that need to be refilled at the end of each day. Come along to Postgrad LIVE Liverpool and find out how to apply for a PhD. These will focus on your academic background, research interests and goals. 4. countertop display case; 76ers starting lineup; asics kayano vs nimbus plantar fasciitis; The relationship with your supervisor is a significant part of successful graduate studies. Plus, you can introduce your funding status or your intention to secure funding. All rights reserved. All supervisors want a research student whos knowledgeable and well-read in their field, as they tend to produce higher-quality work and encounter fewer problems. Supervisors can have hectic schedules and may not be able to reply to every email in good time. Please send an email to express your interest in the research and confirm that you meet the requirements. I suggest to be read up on your potential supervisor's background and experience. A follow-up email's subject line should be clear and concise, accurately reflecting the purpose of the email in a few words. 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. Theyll usually specify: Youll normally be speaking before a small committee of staff members, who will ask you questions about your research after the presentation. You may also include future ideas and a polite invitation to reply. You should have already identified, on Day 1, who are the faculty members you've narrowed down to meet and discuss. Interviews for self-proposed PhD projects may be more informal, but this isnt always the case. So you want to find out how to impress a PhD supervisor? 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. Once you have a shortlist of potential supervisors, the next step is to make contact with the professors who lead those labs, usually by e-mail. You do not know what your supervisor will be comfortable with, so it is best to play it safe. There may be specific questions or points brought up that could be discussed further. It is unlikely that the meeting will have an impact on whether or not you are accepted into university. Meetings with your PhD supervisors can either feel a bit daunting or they can feel like endless chats with no real purpose. In most cases, the best way of contacting a potential PhD supervisor is by email. Do employers care about a 2.2 after a few years? 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. After discussing your interests, confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements and move on to discuss your funding situation. You may be asked to talk through your research proposal in more detail, or provide a summary of a previous research project (such as a Masters dissertation). 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. Understand what a successful PhD research proposal needs to include and how to go about writing one for your project application. Be interested, interesting and dress professionally. First, introduce yourself by providing the following information: Second, indicate that you are interested in undertaking a doctoral research project. Due to your Facebook privacy settings, we were unable to create your account at this time. This isnt to say that you have to be an expert in your research topic before you begin it. Make sure you use the supervisor's correct title. Supervisors are extremely busy people. 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. You can also read our separate guide for a detailed overview of PhD interview questions (and answers!). Use a short subject line which clearly shows your intention. 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. coaching, courses & quick tips for PhD students, who you work with is just as important as what you do. If you happen to have a great connection, ask about a chance to visit or a fee waiver to make the application process smoother. . The main component will be a question and answer session in front of a designated postgraduate recruitment panel. 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". 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 are successfully registered Thanks for telling us about yourself, ! When you first contact a potential supervisor, stick to sending them a brief email. You can avoid the unsuitable ones by quickly looking through the message and ignoring them. This should be a two-way meeting. Supervisors are busy individuals, with a schedule full of lectures, lab sessions, department meetings, plus their own research. Most PhDs in Science, Medicine and Engineering are specific projects, with pre-defined aims and objectives. This section could act like a mini CV, and even complement it if attached. Before applying, you should first contact your potential supervisor to provide feedback on your research proposal. 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. 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. Youll want to make sure you come across as well as possible during your interview and give a fair impression of your academic potential. I have attached a copy of my CV and a writing sample for your review. 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. 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. If there is an opportunity to allocate funding to your project (through a Research Council studentship, or similar) this may be discussed at your interview. If anything, greater scrutiny may be paid to your project proposal and to your suitability for independent research. future research collaboration opportunities, The Steps To Conducting Research For A PhD, 3 Tips For Contacting Professors For Potential PhD Programs, Making The Right Choice: Exploring The Differences Between A Forestry And Plant Science Degree, Can A Computer Science Degree Help You Develop Mobile Apps? In the same way that a supervisor takes you on as a student, youre also taking them on as a supervisor, so the relationship must work both ways for it to be successful. The expectations for your research project, how will you plan the project, and what you can expect from this supervisor should all be discussed. Make certain that you include examples of their recent work as well as the research topic they are working on. informal meeting with potential phd supervisor. Sure you use the supervisor & # x27 ; s correct title to. 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