Careers after Biosciences: Doing a PhD Dr P Meacock 1

Careers after Biosciences - Doing a PhD

Dr Peter MeacockSub-Dean for Graduate Studies

Faculty of Medicine & Biological Sciences

What does a PhD involve?

Why do it?

How long & how much?

Entry requirements?

How funded?

How, where and when to apply?

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What does a PhD involve?Training as an independent researcher

- to practise and lead research• Totally different to Undergraduate degree

– Investigative, not taught– No terms or long vacations; more like “employment”!– Less formal structure; self-motivation is critical!

• Original research– Own project (YOUR responsibility)– Supervisor/Thesis committee (the key relationship! )– Member of a research group (contribute to team effort)– Progress monitoring (probationary year 1)

• Skills-training & professional development• Thesis writing and examination• Viva voce defence with two expert Examiners

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Why do a PhD ?• Learn more about subject• Enjoy “doing” research • Contribute to knowledge• Become a professional independent researcher• Career advancement

- leadership & responsibility in research- many other careers too!- separates you from other BSc graduates

• Employability and Skills development- Research;- technical, problem-solving, intellectual rigour- Organisational;- project & time management, IT- Communication;- presentation (written and oral), IT- Personal;- commitment, initiative, adaptability - Interpersonal;- team-working, net-working, negotiation

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How long does it take?How much does it cost?

• Registration– Full-time; min 2 years, max 4yrs– Part-time; min 3yrs, max 6 yrs– Yr 1 probationary (APG); Yr 4 “writing-up”

• Realistically full-time 4 years– 24/7/52 commitment!

• Costs (= investment)– Registration: H/EU £3,390pa; Int’l £12,650pa– Stipend: 2009 UK RC rate £13,290 (tax-free)– Travel/conferences: ~ £300– Research costs: mol biol ~£8K-10K pa (dept support)

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Entrance requirements?• Entry requirements

– First or 2i BSc degree, or MRes/MSc, in relevant subject(2ii with good MSc upgrade will normally be considered)

– Supportive academic references– Strong performance in interview

• Looking for– Aptitude for research (curiosity, creativity & initiative)– Enthusiasm, motivation & commitment– Good academic background & subject knowledge– Research experience

(yr3 project, summer vac’n research & Sandwich yr)

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How do I fund it?• Studentships

(BBSRC, MRC, NERC, Wellcome Trust, charities, industry)– Pay fees, stipend, travel, research costs (basic award)– Supplemented, if RC CASE-award with industry– Last for 3 to 4 years– Administered through departments/supervisors– Eligibility restrictions (normally UK/EU only)– Limited number, so competitive!

• Employment, eg. as RA (part-time PhD)• International students

– Home country scholarships, eg. government?– Partial awards via UK university (eg Scholarships) – British Council – Some Charities/Foundations (eg Chevening)– Self

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How to apply• No UCAS scheme, or equivalent

• Applications direct to supervisor or dept,or via University Graduate School/Office

• Decide YOU want to do it – not a default ! Decide your research area

• Apply for advertised PhD places and studentships

• Write directly to depts/supervisors of interest

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How to find PhD opportunities? When to apply?

• Information sources– Biological Sciences academic staff – Web pages of depts/supervisors – Postgraduate Prospectuses of Uni’s– Commercial web sites

(FindaPhD, jobs.ac, NewScientist)– Posters on Notice boards– Ads in periodicals (New Scientist, Nature)

• When to apply– Early in final year (November-January) onwards

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What do YOU need to check out?Having decided YOU do want to do a PhD;-• Decide what research area interests you

and investigate opportunities • Project - interesting, rewarding & achievable?

(4 yrs of your life, or more!)• International quality research environment?

(RAE score of department) • Good PhD training & support environment?• Supervisor - successful PhD track record ?• Could you “work” with supervisor?

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Sources of information about “Doing a PhD” and PhD careers

• VitaeProgramme http:// www.vitae.ac.uk

• FindaPhDhttp://www.findaphd.com/

• Jobs.ac.ukhttp://www.jobs.ac.uk/

• New Scientisthttp://www.newscientistjobs.com

• Science Careers First Wavehttp://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/

• UKCGEhttp://www.ukcge.ac.uk/