Advice on contacting a potential PhD supervisor

Caillie1 · 2025-01-22T14:31:55+00:00

Hi everyone, I would greatly appreciate suggestions on the types of questions I can ask a potential PhD supervisor. I'm struggling with how to draft a first email to them, especially since I’m interested in two of the topics the supervisor has proposed. What kind of information would be useful to include or enquire about? Should I ask for a chat? Any advice would be really helpful! Thank you.

Terribletwoos · 22/01/2025 22:43

Just make sure they are accepting new students and your proposal is in line with their publications/ research interests. If you have a proposal ready to go that is even better.

parietal · 22/01/2025 22:54

Send a cv. Show you have read some of their work. Explain why you are interested.

Also, at my university you've missed the deadline for applications for a September 2025 start. You'd normally need to get in touch in October or November to write a proposal for the December or early January deadline.

murasaki · 22/01/2025 22:59

That's true for funded, but if the OP wants to self fund (madness in my book) it's not too late.

Express an interest in their research, look up their specific lab pages etc and detail how your work maps on.

MotherOfCrocodiles · 22/01/2025 23:00

I think this depends on the field and probably the supervisor

For me, I would like students to email me well in advance of the deadline, attaching their CV. Short paragraph explaining which topics within the supervisor's work you are interested in/ which publications you liked.

I don't think it is a problem if you are interested in two strands of the supervisor's work. They may have an opinion which areas they would take students in (there are some past studies I am interested in following up and others less so). So mentioning two gives them a choice.

I would be put off by a student sending me a complete research proposal as I would want to design the research with them. I am in sciences and would be paying for their experiments even if they get a scholarship. In other fields (humanities?), the supervisor may like you to have a proposal. You could always ask in your email "would you like me to send you a draft proposal?"

I'd also suggest meeting in person on Zoom early in the process so you in can work out whether you might get along

AndMiffyWentToSleep · 22/01/2025 23:07

I’ve had emails that seem like a generic message that’s been sent to many potential supervisors. Far better to personalise it and make it clear why you want them specifically to supervise you - why you’re interested in their research and why you think your PhD topic fits with their expertise.

Original poster

Caillie1 · 23/01/2025 09:41

MotherOfCrocodiles · 22/01/2025 23:00

I think this depends on the field and probably the supervisor

For me, I would like students to email me well in advance of the deadline, attaching their CV. Short paragraph explaining which topics within the supervisor's work you are interested in/ which publications you liked.

I don't think it is a problem if you are interested in two strands of the supervisor's work. They may have an opinion which areas they would take students in (there are some past studies I am interested in following up and others less so). So mentioning two gives them a choice.

I would be put off by a student sending me a complete research proposal as I would want to design the research with them. I am in sciences and would be paying for their experiments even if they get a scholarship. In other fields (humanities?), the supervisor may like you to have a proposal. You could always ask in your email "would you like me to send you a draft proposal?"

I'd also suggest meeting in person on Zoom early in the process so you in can work out whether you might get along

Thank you for your helpful advice.
The university offers several studentship opportunities within my field. I currently teach this subject at a local university and have experience supervising PG students, though not at the PhD level. They've also advertised topics from different supervisors that I'm also interested in which I think may complicate things for me😫.
I really like the idea of arranging a Zoom meeting, as it is with what I always do with my Master’s students. I meet with them to discuss their topics, provide guidance before they start their research.
That said, I can’t help but feel very nervous being on the other side of the process! It’s a bit of a new experience for me and I really want to be accepted for the studentship.

OP posts:

Original poster

Caillie1 · 23/01/2025 09:49

murasaki · 22/01/2025 22:59

That's true for funded, but if the OP wants to self fund (madness in my book) it's not too late.

Express an interest in their research, look up their specific lab pages etc and detail how your work maps on.

Thank you! These are actually studentship opportunities, and there are several within my area of interest. While I like many of them (I teach the subject at a local university), I understand that I need to narrow down my options.
The topics have been outlined by the supervisors themselves.

OP posts:

murmuration · 23/01/2025 10:52

Advice here is good, but please also don't be put off if the supervisor just asks you to apply first. I'm advertising a studentship with a deadline next week and have gotten 20+ enquires just this week - no way I could meet all of them! As I don't want to look like I'm playing favourites ahead of time, I'm just telling everyone to apply first.

parietal · 23/01/2025 14:20

If it is an advertised studentship on findaPhD.com then you can treat it like a job application. Send in materials that meet the person spec and you'll get an interview.

Original poster

Caillie1 · 23/01/2025 18:16

parietal · 23/01/2025 14:20

If it is an advertised studentship on findaPhD.com then you can treat it like a job application. Send in materials that meet the person spec and you'll get an interview.

No, I've not found there, but thank you so much for sharing this site - I wasn’t aware of it!

OP posts: