I was at a conference in Bristol lately and couldn’t help over hearing two distinguished professors complaining about how many of the PhD applications get dumped in the dustbin simply because they are written on the lines of ‘I have a plus 200 IQ level and can do any kind of research’ or ‘…I wanted to research in your university since the day I was born…’.
The point was that PhD studentships are not awarded simply on the basis of ability and keenness. It will only help applicants if they do some background research about the department, get a better idea of what the research would entail and identify the researcher whose interests matches theirs. I’ve realised in the last few years that networking is not just a buzz word you learn in a business school. It can sometimes help you a great deal if instead of sending a generic application to the university, you directly contact the professor you want to work with and show a clear vision of your research plan. Well established professors have their own research grants which they may utilise in getting PhD students. Background homework is essential. I remember when my friend found out that in his PhD interview, that his prospective supervisor expected him to remember results from his all important 1982 paper! Established professors can get extremely offended if the applicant has not read at least their latest papers.
The question arises, that what is the best way to get to know the perfect supervisor in the department? I feel that the easiest way to get to know him or her is in informal settings such as summer workshops or weekly research seminars. Conferences and learned society meetings are more formal but yet another way to get a feel of the research area and possibly meet the person who funds your next three years!
Tags: Funding, PhD application
Definitely an interesting post.
Background info is important as you said as it gives emphasis to the job or post applied for.
Applying for PhD is like applying for job. You have to question yourself why do you want to do it. What are your motives? There is no greater time waster if you go and meet the leading researcher and do not explain yourself clearly.
Personally I found something that I am madly interested – nanoscience or mesoscience and intention of becoming a lecturer in the future. Then I contacted relevant people and told them that I am quite keen on that and whether I could pay them a visit. I never said that I am smart, I graduated from Cambridge where I learned to be humble, actually I stressed that I am ’stupid’ in theoretical part but at the same time I am a good researcher (results in masters + reference) and teamworker (some industrial experience + reference). It worked for me and I got my PhD offer. I have to stress that it is important to find a research leader that you can get along. There is nothing more irritating than working alongside people that you dismiss. Good luck fellows and do good work for the good reasons.
The post is really helpful. I was looking for PhD placement after I finish masters of Architecture (Landscape)at Ardhi University. Some of the mistakes you have shown are exactly those which I have been making.
As aslo commented by Kawabangaman, looking for Phd is not an easy task, you have to know exactly what you want to do and for what reason, what will be the gains and losses, contribution to the public, etc.
The articles have helped me alot. Thanks