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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 150-300 pages - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Considering a PhD?Considering a PhD?
Prof. Robert ZimmermanProf. Robert Zimmerman
ESE Careers DayESE Careers Day
11 November 201011 November 2010
What is a PhD?• A three-four year research
programme focussed on a single topic
• Culminates in a thesis of 150-300 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
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Who does a PhD?
• In recent years, about 25-30% of ESE graduates have gone on to do a PhD, at universities such as:
• Imperial College• Oxford• Cambridge• Yale• University of California
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How are PhD studies different?• Undergraduate/taught degrees:
Involve lots of courseworkFocus is on learning an
existing body of knowledgeHighly structured in terms of
deadlines, etc.
• Research degrees:UK system involves little/no
courseworkFocus is on discovering or
creating a new body of knowledge
Not as structured; requires much more independence
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Different types of PhDs
• UK style:o 3-4 yearso no taught modules
• US style:o 4-5 yearso 1-1.5 years of taught
modules
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What do I need to apply?• UG degree in an appropriate
subject• Good grades
– 2.1 or 1st 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
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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)
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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 routeJohn Cosgrove, Professor of Structural Geology, ICL
•Worst experienceCamping 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 experienceExhilaration 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 experienceWhile evening rowing on field work off Anglesey. Oars produced marine fireworks as the phosphorescent plankton responded to the movement.
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Case history: Industrial routeDr 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 routeDr 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
– http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/career_stage/undergraduate__1
• Vitae– http://www.vitae.ac.uk/– 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– www.imperial.ac.uk/ese/phd
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