THE COSMIC WEB

Introduction to the PhD

Peter Coles

What is a PhD?• Postgraduate Research Degree• Examined by presentation of a

thesis and viva voce examination (must contain original, publishable research).

• 3 years (+~0.5 “writing up”) UK• Often 5 years elsewhere (USA, etc)

What comes after?

• About 50% stay in academic research..

• Next step is a postdoc (2-3 years)• Attrition rate is heavy thereafter• Steady-state means each

supervisor generates 1 permanent academic..

How to choose a PhD• The most important thing is the project

– it needs to be something that will drive you.

• Check out potential supervisors. Are they publishing? Getting cited?

• Talk to staff in your own institution in the area you want to work; they will help you find destinations

• Choose something that interests you – not necessarily what you did in your UG projects!

Qualifications

• A “good” honours degree – at least a 2.1

• Some areas are more competitive than others, and in sexy areas you may need a 1st and or a Masters

• It’s easier to get a place than to get funding because there are fewer bursaries than qualified candidates

Funding (UK)

• UK Research Councils pay Universities (DTA) who pay PhD students a STIPEND

• Current rate £13590 (£15590 in London)

• Fee paid from DTA• Most universities also have their

own bursaries at the same rate• Teaching/demonstrating is extra

Funding (non-UK)

• Various schemes throughout Europe – advertised in dept.

• Many institutes in EU have English as their working language…e.g. Max Planck Institutes, Denmark and Netherlands

• In USA, usually have to do teaching (graduate teaching assistant), but better paid…

How to Apply

• Standard application forms (usually).

• Two referees, usually personal tutor and project supervisor

• Research “proposal”, usually general area only needed.

Timescales

• STFC – interviews usuall in Feb/March, decisions end of March

• Most applications arrive in January

• EPSRC a bit later

Interviews

• This is the crucial bit of the process

• Expect a grilling!• Be prepared to talk about your

project• It’s your chance to find out

about the place..