Considering a PhD? Prof. Robert Zimmerman ESE Careers Day 11 November 2010

What is a PhD? A three-four year research programme focussed on a single topic Culminates in a thesis of pages The thesis must demonstrate originality, by the discovery of new facts and/or the exercise of independent critical thinking Generally will lead to several papers published in refereed scientific journals 2

Why might you need a PhD? A PhD is required if you intend to pursue a career in academia (i.e., IC, UCL, etc.) Also useful in order to pursue a career in a research institute (BGS, NHM, etc.) Many oil or mining companies will hire PhDs to do work that requires postgraduate training 3

Who does a PhD? In recent years, about % of ESE graduates have gone on to do a PhD, at universities such as: Imperial College Oxford Cambridge Yale University of California 4

How are PhD studies different? Undergraduate/taught degrees: Involve lots of coursework Focus is on learning an existing body of knowledge Highly structured in terms of deadlines, etc. Research degrees: UK system involves little/no coursework Focus is on discovering or creating a new body of knowledge Not as structured; requires much more independence 5

Different types of PhDs UK style: o 3-4 years o no taught modules US style: o 4-5 years o years of taught modules 6

What do I need to apply? UG degree in an appropriate subject Good grades –2.1 or 1 st class UG degree –or 2.2 plus an MSc –or international equivalent Competition is intense –additional evidence of excellence helps: presentations publications projects IC deadline is 31 Jan 2011, US deadlines are earlier 7

How to choose a PhD University –reputation/esteem –career destinations of graduates Good supervisor –key ingredient in an enjoyable and successful PhD Research culture –meet with your prospective supervisor –talk to other group members How much will I get paid? –£15,290 pa (IC) –$29,000 pa (Yale) 8

Case history: Academic route Prof John Cosgrove Imperial College London PhD, 1972 –Topic: Development and interrelationship of micro folds and crenulation cleavage Motivation –“Geology fascinated me and I could not resist the opportunity to study for a PhD in this subject when the opportunity arose” Career rewards –equipped me well to take up a position within academia Advice –choose a subject that really grabs you –work with an enthusiastic and friendly supervisor 9

Case history: Academic route John Cosgrove, Professor of Structural Geology, ICL Worst experience Camping alone in a huge, treeless, glacial valley in the Swiss Alps in a massive thunder storm. I realised my old A frame tent made a perfect lightning conductor. Best experience Exhilaration I felt when I found a mathematical explanation for the folding of mineral fabrics that, until then, had not been understood. Extensive travelling and great friends I made. Most unusual experience While evening rowing on field work off Anglesey. Oars produced marine fireworks as the phosphorescent plankton responded to the movement. 10

Case history: Industrial route Dr Sander Suicmez Imperial College London PhD 2006 –Pore Scale Simulation of Three- Phase Flow (Supervisor: M Blunt) Motivation –I wanted to specialize in the area of Fluid Flow in Porous Media Career rewards –The topic of my research and the international reputation of Imperial College London have helped me enormously in the oil industry Advice –Make sure that this is what you really want. If it is, it will certainly be lots of fun. But otherwise, it can be really painful! 11

Case history: Industrial route Dr Sander Suicmez Petroleum Engineer, SHELL Worst experience –You may have good days and bad days; however the work goes on and does require a strong concentration. Best experience –you are both a student and a professional staff at the same time. You can wear whatever you want, you don’t have to shave everyday, and the working hours are flexible. Most unusual experience –my PhD defence examination… It took around 5 hours! 12

Further information Science careers – ag.org/career_development/car eer_stage/undergraduate__1http://sciencecareers.sciencem ag.org/career_development/car eer_stage/undergraduate__1 Vitae – –Vitae is a national organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes ICL opportunities – 13