Tips for Finding a Supervisor

8/13/2019 Tips for Finding a Supervisor

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Tips for Finding a Supervisor


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This tip sheet was originally prepared to help students find a UBC Faculty of Medicine supervisor for

the Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) thus some information may not be applicable for all

situations.

Before you approach a faculty member

Investigate the types of research being conducted in the UBC Faculty of Medicine and determine

matches with your interests. You can do this by:

Talking to your Professors and Teaching Assistants ReadingFoM Focus,UBC Medicine Magazine,UBC Medical Journalor other FoM and UBC

news websites

Using the UBC Public AffairsFind UBC Experts Guide Reading faculty profiles: on specificFoM Departmental websites,or for theIsland Medical

Program orNorthern Medical Program(Southern Medical Program information is not yet

available. SMP students are encouraged to contact the SMP Student Research Opportunities

Coordinator for faculty profiles see below). MD students at the distributed campuses who would like to find a research placement in the

vicinity of their campus are encouraged to get in touch with the appropriate program contact.Current Research Coordinators for each program are listedhere.

Check if your potential supervisor has previously participated in the Summer Student ResearchProgram (email theStudent Research Coordinatoror check the SSRP website).

Think about how you could contribute to the research goals of your potential supervisor

What specific skills or knowledge could you bring to the role that you have gained from previousresearch experience (paid or volunteer), other work/volunteer experience or related coursework.

Consider both hard skills, such as specific lab techniques or computer knowledge, as well as softskills such as communication, time management and adaptability.

Be prepared to answer questions about the rules, application process and deadlines of the Summer

Student Research Program. You may also want to give them a copy of theSSRP Factsheet for PotentialSupervisors.

Contacting your potential supervisor

Ensure all of your communications (both written and face to face) are professional. Use

appropriate/professional dialogue; check written communications carefully for spelling and grammaticalerrors and send emails from a professional email address. Until instructed to do otherwise always

address individuals by their professional name and title; i.e. Dear Dr. Smith as opposed to Hi John.

If you already know your potential supervisor the easiest thing to do is simply ask them if they areavailable to meet with you to discuss potential research opportunities. You can do this in person, via

email or by phone.
http://www.med.ubc.ca/media/FoM_Focus.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/media/FoM_Focus.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/media/FoM_Focus.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/media/med_mag.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/media/med_mag.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/media/med_mag.htmhttp://www.ubcmj.com/http://www.ubcmj.com/http://www.ubcmj.com/http://webservices.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/clients/pa/apps/experts/public/index.phphttp://webservices.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/clients/pa/apps/experts/public/index.phphttp://webservices.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/clients/pa/apps/experts/public/index.phphttp://www.med.ubc.ca/about_us/departments-schools-centres.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/about_us/departments-schools-centres.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/about_us/departments-schools-centres.htmhttp://imp.uvic.ca/faculty/index.phphttp://imp.uvic.ca/faculty/index.phphttp://imp.uvic.ca/faculty/index.phphttp://www.unbc.ca/nmp/research.htmlhttp://www.unbc.ca/nmp/research.htmlhttp://www.unbc.ca/nmp/research.htmlhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/research/dfo/mds_undergrads/ssrp/imp_nmp_smp.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/research/dfo/mds_undergrads/ssrp/imp_nmp_smp.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/research/dfo/mds_undergrads/ssrp/imp_nmp_smp.htmmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://ip.med.ubc.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=22400http://ip.med.ubc.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=22400http://ip.med.ubc.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=22400http://ip.med.ubc.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=22400http://ip.med.ubc.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=22400http://ip.med.ubc.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=22400mailto:[email protected]://www.med.ubc.ca/research/dfo/mds_undergrads/ssrp/imp_nmp_smp.htmhttp://www.unbc.ca/nmp/research.htmlhttp://imp.uvic.ca/faculty/index.phphttp://imp.uvic.ca/faculty/index.phphttp://www.med.ubc.ca/about_us/departments-schools-centres.htmhttp://webservices.publicaffairs.ubc.ca/clients/pa/apps/experts/public/index.phphttp://www.ubcmj.com/http://www.med.ubc.ca/media/med_mag.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/media/FoM_Focus.htm


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If you do not yet know your supervisor a concise, well written email is probably the best method of

initial contact as it will give the recipient time to read over the details and absorb all of the information.

Randomly approaching them in the hallway and springing the idea on them is probably not a good idea.However, introducing yourself at a networking event and letting them know about your interest in their

research would be an excellent first step.

Your initial contact with a potential supervisor should serve several purposes:

Discuss your interest in the potential supervisors research and your desire to participate in theirresearch program.

Inform the recipient about the Summer Student Research Program (in case they have notpreviously participated). This should include a brief summary of how the program operates and

preferentially a link to the program website and a copy of theSSRP Factsheet for Potential

Supervisors.Think of the benefits of the program to the supervisor. For example, it provides

them with the salary for a full-time research assistant for two months.

Determine if the recipient is interested in participating in the SSRP. If they are interested in theprogram the next step is to determine if they are interested in being your supervisor. This of

course will depend on what you have to offer them. By initiating contact you have already

demonstrated your initiative and interest in participating in research; hopefully you have also

showcased your excellent communications skills. Closing your email with a suggestion to set upa meeting to discuss your qualifications is a good step.

If the first supervisor you approach is not interested, dont despair! Keep looking and contact another

potential supervisor; most faculty members are open to being involved in student research. Asking the

Student Research Coordinator for a list of past supervisors in your area of interest can also help you finda potential supervisor who is open to participation.

Meeting with your potential supervisor

Think of this meeting as a job interview. Your potential supervisor will be evaluating you and

determining if you are a good fit for their research program. This is especially true if you did not knowthe supervisor before you approached them about participating in the SSRP.

Bring your resume and be prepared to discuss your previous work experience, academicinterests, professional goals and qualifications.

Some potential supervisors may be interested in receiving a copy of your transcripts or a sampleof your written work. Discuss this prior to the meeting and be sure to bring copies of the

appropriate documents to the meeting.

Ensure you understand and are knowledgeable about your potential supervisors researchprogram. Make a list of questions you have about their work.

Dress professionally and use appropriate dialogue throughout the interview. As with any job interview introduce yourself with a smile and offer a firm handshake. While discussing your interest in their research mention the skills and attributes that you could

contribute to their research team.

If they are not familiar with the SSRP ensure you mention the benefits to them and outline therules, application process and deadlines.

Be considerate of your potential supervisors time by not stretching the meeting outunnecessarily and show your appreciation by thanking them for taking time to meet with you.
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Post-meeting follow up

If your potential supervisor had questions about the SSRP you could not answer at the meetingfind out the answers as soon as possible and contact the supervisor with the correct information.

If your potential supervisor agrees to supervise you for the SSRP congratulations! Work withthem to ensure the application is completed and submitted prior to the deadline.

If your potential supervisor seems interested in hiring you but is not yet ready to make adecision, follow up with a phone call or email a few days after your meeting.

If your potential supervisor has no research opportunities suitable for inclusion in the SSRP, askthem if they could refer you to a colleague who may be interested in taking on summer students.

And finally, remember that due to budgetary constraints not everyone who applies to the SSRP will get

funded. On average the SSRP can only fund ~50% of applicants (please clickherefor information on

historical funding rates). If you are serious about being involved in research ensure you apply to as manydifferent programs as possible to maximize your chances of getting funded. Manyexternal funding

opportunitiesare listed on the FoM Research Office website.
http://www.med.ubc.ca/__shared/assets/SSRP_historical_application_and_funding_information23057.pdfhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/__shared/assets/SSRP_historical_application_and_funding_information23057.pdfhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/__shared/assets/SSRP_historical_application_and_funding_information23057.pdfhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/research/md_undergrad/funding_opps/ext_funding_opps.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/research/md_undergrad/funding_opps/ext_funding_opps.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/research/md_undergrad/funding_opps/ext_funding_opps.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/research/md_undergrad/funding_opps/ext_funding_opps.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/research/md_undergrad/funding_opps/ext_funding_opps.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/research/md_undergrad/funding_opps/ext_funding_opps.htmhttp://www.med.ubc.ca/__shared/assets/SSRP_historical_application_and_funding_information23057.pdf

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Tips for Finding a Supervisor