1. Reflections from an unsuccessful candidate Sarah Seaton NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow

2. About me… BSc Mathematics from the University of Wales (2.2)
NIHR Research Methods Fellowship ( )
MSc Medical Statistics
Failed NIHR Doctoral Application (2012)
Successful NIHR application (2013)
PhD awarded February 2018

3. Why did I fail in 2012? The person
No real negatives – just an “average” candidate which wasn’t enough
“…one published paper, others under consideration”
“…made a good start to her research career”

4. Why did I fail in 2012? The place
Loved by some, hated by others
“Research supervision excellent…”
“…supervisory team not very experienced”
“…training programme is quite strong…”

5. Why did I fail in 2012? The project
Statistical methods for healthcare provider profiling in the reporting of rare outcomes
“rationale behind the project is good….”
“…problem with the proposal….extremely vague”
“…no hints about the approach….just standard phrases”
“without some indication [of what might work]…. it would be an act of faith to support this”

6. So, what next? Shared feedback with everyone who could possibly help.
Built a “plan of action.”
Abandoned the project idea and worked up another I had (probably) preferred in the first place.
Let no one see the final application before submission!
Spent a year working on something completely.

7. What changed in 2013? The person
Six accepted papers (a lucky year) and several under review.
Reviewer for journals.
Working with other groups (collaboration).
More teaching experience.

8. What changed in 2013? The project
Modelling neonatal care pathways: costs and consequences for the future
Very specific and detailed, but clear there was room to adapt and change as needed.
Project developed me over time as well as delivering needed research
Novel techniques needlessly proposed (and revised at interview!)

9. What changed in 2013? The place
Open and honest about experience of supervisors and explained how this would be managed.
Expertise not provided by supervisors represented on advisory panel.
Training programme interlinked to project and the person throughout.

10.
@SarahESeaton