help with PHD application

[atempusername]

I'm thinking of applying for a PHD and I'm looking for some tips please from those who have done one or are doing one.

I did my Msc 4 years ago and a funded PHD has come up in the same area. One of the supervisors was my Msc supervisor. Don't know who the other supervisor is.

I did ask the supervisor I know for more info. She said there would be a lot of competition for it but I'd be an excellent candidate. She obviously cannot help me with my application or interview.

The application form asks two questions - first question is 250 words about previous awards, publications, grants, employment and voluntary experience.

I have never been published or got a grant. My Msc was funded by my then employer. I am now working for a university on a fixed term contract and this PHD would be based there, starting when my contract ends.

the second question asks about my skills and experience. I'm not sure what to put in here.. If it were a job interview, I'd put how amazing I am etc but I'm wondering if I need to put academic speak and emphasis my research experience and interests?

I don't understand the role of the first supervisor and second supervisor.

I also don't know what they would ask me in the interview or how to answer. I'm worried they will throw academic questions and jargon at me.

I've never worked in academia before. The job I'm doing just now is professional services and I'm only 2 months into that role.

I'm intelligent but I did find my Msc hard going. I got a Merit pass. However, I was doing that alongside a full time job and this PHD would be full time.

I'm just really nervous about looking like a fool and would really appreciate advice on what to say and how to be successful.

Two possible sources of help and advice to try:

1. your university careers service - they must be used to advising those going into academia
2. your MSc supervisor would hvae been the obvious person - but if she can't help, can she suggest a colleague who could advise you?

I'm assuming that most of the people you will be competing against will be 21yo fresh graduates with very little experience? You're overthinking it, treat it like any other job application. Yes, emphasis the parts of your experience that are relevant but no more than usual. Is there anyone else from your MSc that could help you? Was your MSc a taught course or research based?

When I applied for my PhD many years ago I had information on my degree, a big section on my year in industry (scientist, so doing research), a bit about my final year project. I was 23, I had very little experience. Certainly no papers or grants or awards.

@JaninaDuszejko, won't many other candidates also have postgraduate degrees these days? I may be wrong as I'm not a scientist, but I thought even in sciences it was becoming much more common to to the MSc first.

OP, I'd detail the fact your employer paid for your MSc. That was them investing in you. I could be wrong, but I would think other candidates might mention a grant for MScs studies, but probably nothing larger. In my field it would be perfectly normal and respectable to cite a tiny student grant as a grant - they're not expecting you to be able to say you secured millions!

Publications are something you either have or you don't. Some people do publish during masters degrees, so it could be relevant, but TBH I would just not worry if you're not in that position. It will be normal.

Skills and experience - I'd be really concrete about them, as you would for any job, but tilt it towards research.

The first supervisor is your main supervisor, who needs to be the really good fit for your research. The second supervisor has a complementary role. It actually varies a lot from university to university how they might interact, so check with the specific university. For example, my supervisors worked closely together and I almost always met with both of them; my friend at another university only saw her second supervisor a few times, and the meetings were 1-1. So just check what the norm is and work out how your needs would match up with that.

Don't worry about the interview. They think you're a good candidate! They'd not say that if it weren't true. If they did throw jargon at you, it's fine to say 'I'm sorry, I don't know what [word/phrase] means, could you explain that so I can answer'. On the whole they won't be out to trip you up, though.

You won't look like a fool. I'm not in your area (I'm Arts/Hums), but very happy to talk more if it's an use at all.

I'm actually in two minds about whether to do it

I think its my ego more than anything, maybe my interest in the subject, it is something I am passionate about.

But I don't think I want to be a lecturer. And for this field, you don't really need a PHD to be successful in it or get a job. I've never had any problem getting good positions wiithout a PHD so far although my Msc has helped.

So I worry I'd be spending 3 years, on a low income, for nothing really when I could be progressing in my career in other ways.

For years a PHD is what I wanted to do but now I'm not so sure. I do have savings and I will have the time when this job contract ends, but I could be doing another job instead.

I'm trying to look at the whole thing realistically.

Want vs Need is what it seems to come down to.

Well, frankly, doing a PhD with a view to being a lecturer is pointless at the moment anyway. There are no jobs, you'd be doing postdocs for years and moving every couple of years.