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Why do a PhD?

Dr. Tracy BussoliCareers Adviser for Researchers

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What is a PhD?

A PhD. is an in-depth research programme. The work produced for the PhD must fundamentally be original, in other words written by only you, containing your thoughts and findings. Once all the research is complete, it is presented in a thesis.

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What qualifications do you need?

• A first or 2:1 degree• Masters• Postgraduate Diploma

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Why do people do one?• Fascinated by a particular topic• Know that they want to work in

academia• Stay at university 3 more years• Recession….no good jobs!• Good at ……….• To be called Dr!• Not sure what else to do• Need it for….• Academic suggested it because you

are great.

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What to expect

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To have an intense relationship with supervisor

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To be able to motivate yourself

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To be proactive!

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To stay on top of literature!

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To feel stressed when you take a holiday!

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Long hours…but flexible!

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To be consumed by your PhD research!

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Do it!• Completely absorbing• Become an expert• Only way into academia/industry• 3 years to develop research skills

including many transferable skills such as analytical skills and problem solving

• Extremely fulfilling when you finish!

• Get Dr. before your name

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Don’t do it!• Academia is extremely competitive More

PhDs graduate than tenured posts available• Few employers actively recruit PhDs

although 70% would welcome applications from PhDs.

• Takes three years of life…could be learning ‘on the job skills’

• Many people feel ‘too specialised’ at the end and it is then difficult to become a generalist

*Only 6% of employers actively recruit PhDs(Vitae report 2010)http://www.vitae.ac.uk/policy-practice/1393-205111/Recruiting-researchers.html

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Some Facts about PhDs and employment

• 16,500 PhDs graduated in 2006 cf. 320, 000 undergrads (1:20)

• Only ¼ of researchers know what they want to do at beginning of PhD….does not get better throughout (in my experience!)

• Bottleneck for academic jobs

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From Vitae: What do Researchers do? 2009 http://www.vitae.ac.uk/policy-practice/107611/What-do-researchers-do-2009.html

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How to choose a PhD?• Final year project• Talk to people in your department• Look at PhDs on various websites,

speak to potential supervisor• How experienced is your potential

supervisor? How many PhDs has he/she supervised. Did they complete on time?

• Research the lab/department….speak to people about lab/supervisor

• Don’t accept until you have done research.

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Where to look for a PhD• http://www.findaphd• http://www.postgraduatestudentship

s.co.uk• http://www.jobs.ac.uk/• www.prospects.ac.uk/links/pgdbase • Nature and New Scientist• Times Higher Education• University Websites• Finalist Directory

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Books• PhD's; What they don't tell you - by Duggi Zuram

Reflections on Tutors, Libraries and Other PhD Students

• PhD Study in the Arts & Humanities - by the FindAPhD Team How to apply and how to get by in the Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

• A Guide to PhD Research in Computing - by Prof Sean Gong

• A short overview of what is expected of both student and supervisor Hints for New PhD Students on How to Write Research Papers - by Prof Shahn MajidA guide for writing in mathematics

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• Mock Interviews and DVD• CV Checking• Advice• Telephone: 020 7882 8533

Email: careers@qmul.ac.uk

• Open Monday – Friday• 10.30 – 5pm (4pm on Friday)

• Drop in sessions (Book appointment)• Monday - Thursday• 10.30 – 12.30 and 2 – 4.30

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