How to find the right research programme

If you’ve decided that life as a research student is the right choice for you, there are several things you need to look at.

The institution

• What is their reputation for research in your field? What support structures are in place for research students?
• What resources are available – will you be given your own lab space and computer; how flexible are the college opening hours?
• What other duties that will be required of you? Some schools have seminar and training programmes that postgraduate research students can participate in.
• What process will you have to go through to complete a PhD?

The topic of your research

Will completing the research fit into your career plan? Make sure to choose your topic very carefully before opting to become specialised in a particular area. In some colleges you can propose your own topic but often an academic member of staff will have set proposals, so make sure it is what you want.

Your supervisor

Students are very dependent on their supervisor for guidance so it is vital that this relationship is a good one. You need to find out about the supervisor’s reputation and their track record in postgraduate research supervision and publications.

Teaching opportunities

There may be opportunities to supplement your grant with paid teaching. Some colleges pay postgraduate research students additionally for any tutorials or demonstrations given, while others expect students to undertake this as part of their research programme.

Money

• What grants are available for your chosen research area?
• What funding is available for conference participation?
• What are the accommodation and transport costs in your chosen institution?

Written by Dave Kilmartin, Head of Service at Dublin Institute of Technology Careers Service. This article appeared in postgradireland 2008.

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