What Do Supervisors Look For In Their PhD Students?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

All supervisors want

a research student who’s knowledgeable and well-read in their field

, as they tend to produce higher-quality work and encounter fewer problems. Although no one expects you to be an expert, make sure you have at least read three of the most popular journal publications in your chosen research area.

What makes a good PhD supervisor?

A good PhD supervisor has

a track record of supervising PhD students through to completion

, has a strong publication record, is active in their research field, has sufficient time to provide adequate supervision, is genuinely interested in your project, can provide mentorship and has a supportive personality.

What do PhD supervisors look for?

All supervisors want

a research student who’s knowledgeable and well-read in their field

, as they tend to produce higher-quality work and encounter fewer problems. Although no one expects you to be an expert, make sure you have at least read three of the most popular journal publications in your chosen research area.

What expectations do you have of a PhD supervisor?

  • Expertise in your subject area.
  • Regular supervisory meetings.
  • Feedback on work in progress.
  • Advice and support.
  • Mediation and representation.

What is expected from a PhD student?

A PhD qualification is predominantly research-based and students will be

responsible for their own learning and development

. … It should take from 3-4 years and will culminate in a thesis which outlines what you have learnt from your specific research area.

What are some signs you have a bad PhD advisor?

  • They’re not publishing. …
  • Their students aren’t publishing. …
  • Their current students aren’t happy. …
  • They don’t let you talk to current or past students. …
  • Very few of their students have graduated. …
  • They’re hard to get ahold of. …
  • Other people say only negative things.

How do I annoy my PhD supervisor?

  1. Disappear. …
  2. Mess me around with dates and deadlines. …
  3. Continue to work on texts that I’m reading for feedback. …
  4. Assume I’m your default source of support. …
  5. Ask for help before trying to address something yourself. …
  6. Agree to things that you know aren’t realistic. …
  7. Leave the supervision with no idea what I was talking about.

How can I have a good relationship with my PhD supervisor?

  1. Get to know your supervisor before you begin your PhD. …
  2. Know what you’re expected to do. …
  3. Communicate regularly. …
  4. Remember that you’re not the only one to attend to. …
  5. Be honest.

Who can be a PhD supervisor?

1. Supervisor(s) can be

any full-time faculty member(s) of the Institute

with a PhD degree.

What should I ask my PhD supervisor?

  • What would you expect from me as a student, and what could I expect from you as a supervisor? …
  • How many students do you supervise, and how often do you see them? …
  • Is there funding available for conferences, publications and other research expenses?

How many PhD students should a supervisor have?

The average research-active academic2 spends at least 50% of their time on postgraduate student supervision. It is easy to see that a normal working year of 1840 hours (based on a 40-hour working week and 46 working weeks per annum) would allow for the supervision of about

three PhD students

.

How do I request PhD supervision?

  1. Keep it short. Professors are short of time and receive a ton of emails each day. …
  2. Make a Connection. …
  3. Have a Clear CTA. …
  4. Introduce yourself. …
  5. Have a Clear Subject Line. …
  6. Thank them for their time. …
  7. Follow up.

What every PhD student should know?

  • You’re going to get lonely. Loneliness and PhDs go hand in hand. …
  • It’ll be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. It’s no surprise that PhDs are hard. …
  • You’ll need to reach out for support. …
  • You’ll be surrounded by people much smarter than you. …
  • You’ll end up marrying your thesis.

What qualities make a good PhD student?

  • Academic Ability. …
  • Accountability. …
  • Persistence. …
  • Good Communication Skills. …
  • Time Management. …
  • Open-mindedness and Curiosity to Learn Something New. …
  • Passion. …
  • Ability to Think.

How old are PhD students?

The average student takes 8.2 years to slog through a PhD program and is

33 years old before

earning that top diploma. By that age, most Americans with mere bachelor’s degree are well into establishing themselves professionally.

Rachel Ostrander
Author
Rachel Ostrander
Rachel is a career coach and HR consultant with over 5 years of experience working with job seekers and employers. She holds a degree in human resources management and has worked with leading companies such as Google and Amazon. Rachel is passionate about helping people find fulfilling careers and providing practical advice for navigating the job market.