PhD Insight with Resonance

What is a PhD?

When someone said the words “postgraduate degree” to you, what would you think? Perhaps you would think that you don’t want to spend another 3 - 4 years of your life branded as a “student” or that you would like to get out into the “real world” and get a job, or maybe you would be left thinking “I really don’t know what that actually means.”

This is what I thought until I took the time to speak to PhD students and understanding what the process involves. PhDs are amazing oppertunities with the ability to open many doors for your future. Not only do you get 3-4 years of high quality training and opportunities to interact with some of the most groundbreaking research of our time but you are also gifted the chance to develop skills in a forgiving envrioment that will improve your career prospects.

There are also a few hidden benefits that aren’t spoken about as openly. It isn’t often that you find yourself in a position with such flexibility, managing your own time and tailoring your working hours to suit you. Being able to travel as part of your work is also extremely common with chances to attend national and international conference as well as taking part in internships and placements. Broadening your skill set is also common as you can, I took on a paid teaching role as part of the undergraduate lab programme, something which I did not realise I would love doing as much as I do.

What types of PhD are there?

There are two main types of PhD in the UK. the first of which is one associated with a specific academic. With this type of PhD the project will be set out and related to the academics research interest.This allows for you to interact with an academic who might inspire you or to engage in a research that particulary interests you.

The second most common type of PhD is part of a Centre of Doctoral Training or CDT programme. These programmes recieve specific funding for a group of PhD students to carry out research in specific areas, often associated with novel and current innovation. One such CDT programme is the Polymer, Colloids and Soft Matter CDT that is housed here in Sheffield. A CDT allows a student to carry out their research, often sponsered by an industrial partner, while also taking part in compulsory auxilary modules such as business skills development, hoping to produce more well rounded individuals.

How do I go about finding a PhD that suits me?

This was a question that I did not know the answer to when I was an undergraduate so it is completely understandable not to.

The first way is to look via a specific institutes website. Most universities advertise the PhDs they have on offer on their own domains. This however, requires you to have some sort of knowledge of where you would like to undertake your PhD.

Alternatively you could try websites such as “findaphd.com”, “phdportal. com” or “prospects.ac.uk”. Using websites such as these allow you to cast your net wide and see what is out there in all areas of research and all parts of the world.

Finally, if you have decided that you want to take part in a CDT programme then looking at the website of the specific funding bodies can help. The two main funding bodies are the EPSRC or the BBSRC which fund project for engineering and physcial sciences and biological sciences, respectively.

findaPhD Website How do I know it is for me?

The answer to this is not so cut and dry, but I challenge you to question why it isn’t for you. A PhD isn’t a stop gap before entering the “real world” it is a bridge to greater career prospects.

If you have any questions or want to chat to somebody who has been through the experience of finding and applying for a PhD then feel free to contact me directly:

cjthompson2@sheffield.ac.uk

Prospects Website

Organic Chemistry

If the highlight of your undergraduate career was labs then maybe an organic PhD is for you, synthesis is key here. There are currently PhDs avaliable with Prof Joe Harrity, Prof Simon Jones, Prof Nick Williams, Dr Ben Partridge, and Prof Ian Coldham. All of which focus on either sysnthesising novel compounds or bettering synthesis pathways.

Inorganic Chemistry

There are several PhD projects in inorganic chemistry focusing on such research topics as catalysis with Dr Marco Conte, Live imaging with Dr Adrian Chauvet, metal organic nanosheets with Dr Jona Foster and photo-activated metal complexes with Prof Jim Thomas.

Biological Chemistry

If a chemisty-biology cross-over interests you then a PhD in the Ciani or the Chen research groups could be for you. Dr Ciani’s research focuses on such topics as enzymes and membrane repair. Prof Chen’s group focuses on novel research surrounding such diseases as Alzheimers.

Physical/ Polymer Chemistry

PhDs in physical or polymer chemistry can encompases both synthesis and analysis. The Leggett group investigates surface chemistry and nanotechnology. Dr Dawson has a project avaliable investigating microporous polymers for energy and sustainablity. Prof Tony Ryan has a PhD project avalable in conjunction with Dr Mykhaylyk investigating the fundementals of haircare. Prof Steve Armes has several projects involving the synthesis and application of polymers while Prof Andre Slark’s research focuses on polyurethane science.

Computational Chemistry

If you are more interested by the theory and computation behind chemical reactions etc, then maybe a computational PhD would interest you. There are currently computational PhDs avalibile with Dr Grant Hill, Prof Anthony Meijer or Dr Natalia Martsinovich.