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Candidate support information GW4 2023.pptx
- 1. CANDIDATE SUPPORT WEBINAR Prof Emma Kidd and Dr Emma Lane GW4BioMed@Cardiff.ac.uk
- 2. Today ■ An overview of what a PhD is ■ What is DTP and how does the GW4 BIOMED2 DTP work? ■ The application process ■ Hints and tips ■ FAQs
- 3. What is a PhD and what can you gain from it? ■ Undertaking higher level academic study ■ Answering a novel question, adding a novel contribution to existing knowledge ■ Becoming a specialist in a subject area ■ Pursuing a coherent project for 4 years often in phases ■ Guided by a supervisory team ■ Develop growing independence in research ■ Confidence with experimental approach ■ Create a thesis and defend it at viva
- 4. What is a PhD and what can you gain from it? ■ A range of skills – Practical – Academic ■ Confidence in writing up data/analysis ■ In depth knowledge of a subject… ■ A publication or 2… ■ Experience of other labs and opportunities ■ Awareness of other discipline areas and their techniques
- 5. What are a thesis and viva? ■ A literature review of the background and the research question ■ What did you want to know and why? ■ Your methodology ■ What did you find out and what does it mean? (results and discussion) ■ Often several results chapters ■ Final discussion to contextualise in a bigger picture ■ Discussed with two experts in an oral exam
- 6. The PhD – a learning cycle Read the literature Define first hypothesis Determine methods First experiment Analyse the data Plan the next experiment Build the core skills you need
- 7. What is a DTP? ■ Doctoral training programme, funded by UKRI ■ Provides a stipend for 4 years (to cover PhD up to final submission) ■ Pays your fees ■ Provides training and support ■ Provides a training grant ■ Cohort to journey through a PhD with ■ Provide maternity/paternity cover ■ Sick pay ■ Up to 40 days annual leave ■ Bench fees (costs of the study) met by supervisory team
- 9. How does the GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP work? ■ If successful at interview you will be offered a project ■ Successful candidates will start on 1st October 2023 ■ A 3-month prep period will allow you to review the project, suggest changes and refinements, visit other labs ■ You will undertake common annual inductions, core training, annual congress, regular events with theme leads and institution leads. ■ You will have a peer mentor ■ You work on the PhD and then can undertake Broadening Horizons placements to gain experience of other industries and career opportunities ■ Continue working on the PhD, write your thesis (up to 80,000 words) ■ Undertake a viva examination (2 examiners)
- 10. What is the application process? ■ Review the project list ■ Select up to 3 projects to apply for ■ Contact potential supervisors for clarification (if you wish) ■ Complete the application form following instructions ■ You MUST answer all questions ■ Please ensure you accurately use the table to convert international qualifications, we will check these ■ Top candidates will be invited for an online panel interview and to discuss the project with the supervisors ■ Support will be offered ahead of interview for those from disadvantaged or minority backgrounds ■ Successful candidates will be offered their first- choice project, then second or third choice if no longer available ■ PLEASE READ THE WEBSITE – How to apply
- 11. What are we looking for in the application form? ■ Proven academic quality: – excellent performance to first degree and/or Master’s level OR an equivalent, high- quality provision of evidence related to professional practice. ■ Research potential: – examples of achievement within academia/research related projects and outside of academia, evidencing relevant skills. ■ Personal motivation & commitment: – supporting statement of understanding, motivation and suitability for their first-choice project and by a wider enthusiasm, interest and commitment to the MRC DTP programme. ■ Non-biomedical disciplines: – In line with supporting interdisciplinary and quantitative skills, special consideration will be given by the interview panels to non-biomedical applicants. Such candidates should not feel the selection criteria are biased towards biomedical applicants as their unique skills will be taken into account.
- 12. Please outline 2 examples of your achievements in research related activities. (200 words max). ■ Please only mention 2, do not list a series of techniques/papers/placements ■ Think about what you have done, what demonstrates your relevant skills – Provide a little explanation, what was the goal? – Describe was your role/contribution? How long? – What did you learn? Outputs (e.g. papers) Practical skills – What was the overall outcome? ■ Focus on what is important, you only have 100 words (ish) per example. ■ Keep it succinct
- 13. Please outline 2 examples of your achievements in non-research related activities (e.g. outside of academic study). (200 words max). Try and illustrate complementary skills to those previously It could be in an academic context but outside of studies/research Do not just describe an achievement or activity but also what you gained from it How do you think this will this be relevant to a PhD?
- 14. ■ Tell us why this subject is so interesting to you, what will keep you motivated to study it for 4 years? ■ Do you have any background academic, workplace or personal experience that makes this relevant to you? ■ Have you got any skills that this project needs that you have or would like to have? Please describe why you have chosen your first choice project. (200 words max).
- 15. What do you hope to gain from doing a PhD with the GW4 BioMed2 MRC DTP? (100 words max). ■ Think about what you know of the DTP ■ What is your personal goal? ■ What do you need to get there? ■ Are there specific skills/experiences/opportunities you hope to gain? ■ What will getting a PhD enable you to do? ■ How can the DTP offer that will help you get there?
- 16. ■ Please provide any additional relevant information to support your application (maximum of 100 words). Please note that completion of this section is not compulsory.
- 17. Hints and tips for the application ■ Think about your written communication skills – how you write is important, take time to craft it ■ Get someone else to read it through for you ■ You can ONLY apply through the website form, please do NOT email a CV to the GW4, this will not be accepted ■ READ the website information ■ Choose projects you are passionate about, if that is only one, leave it at one. ■ Complete all sections as fully as you can ■ Use the word count to its fullest ■ Provide different examples in each box ■ Think about the structure of your questions, consider STAR (situation, task, action, result) ■ Please check English language eligibility criteria on the website – You will need to meet these requirements to have an offer, not to apply
- 18. ICASE Projects ■ Projects MRC23IIAREx Pagliara and MRCIIAR23 Ballou are both based at Exeter University and involve an Industrial CASE project. ■ This means that the projects run in partnership with DSTL and have additional funding. ■ These projects are only available to candidates with current UK citizenship due to special funding conditions.
- 19. FAQ ■ Do you want transcripts or references with the application form? – We only ask for these at the interview stage, not for initial application. ■ What happens if someone else is offered my first-choice project? – you are offered your second or third choice if you put one ■ Should I speak to the potential supervisor about the project? – You may approach them informally, but you will be contacted about meeting them formally if you are invited to interview stage (but remember that first email approach is important) ■ I have international qualifications, do you accept those? – Yes, but please ensure you have converted your qualifications using the international equivalency table ■ Do I need to apply to the University as well as the GW4 form? – Not at this stage, but you will need apply for an ‘offer to study’ if you are successful at interview, more info will be provided to you then.
- 20. FAQ ■ I haven’t completed my MSc yet, what do I put? – You can enter a predicted grade, your offer may be conditional on this grade ■ I am an international student; will I have to pay more in fees? – No, the DTP will cover this ■ I have disabilities and need support to complete a PhD – If you have specific needs around the interview process please let us know – All 4 institutes have student support services who can support you and apply for disability support allowance to fund any adjustments that are required ■ Can I do a PhD part time? – Yes, for the same % stipend and this extends the time commensurate with the reduced hours, however the iCASE projects can be completed on a full time basis only. ■ Is there support for students from LGBTQ+ or minority ethnic backgrounds? – Yes, all institutes have support groups, and we are keen to ensure everyone has the opportunity to access the DTP, in particular those from minoritized groups.
- 21. Thank you ■ Reminder: Applications close on Friday 16th June at 5pm ■ Please read the website and apply using the online application form ■ Email the DTP team at GW4Biomed@cardiff.ac.uk if you have any further questions.