jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people
  • Find a Job
  • Find PhDs
  • Career Advice
  • Jobs by Email
  • Advertise a Job
  • Recruiters
  • Your Account

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

career-advice.jobs.ac.uk

Secondary Sidebar

jobs.ac.uk Career Advice

  • CV and Cover Letter Advice
    • CV Tips
    • Free CV Templates
    • Cover Letters with Examples
    • Personal Profiles
    • CV Resources
  • Jobseeking and Interview Tips
    • Jobseeking Tips
    • Academic Interviews
    • Professional Interviews
    • Jobseeking and Interview Resources
  • Career Development
    • Academic Careers
    • Research Careers
    • Career Progression Stories
    • Professional Careers
    • Working in Industry
    • Career Development Resources
    • Global Careers
    • Working From Home
  • Women in Higher Education
  • FE Career Advice
    • FE CV & Interview Tips
    • Working in FE
    • Managing your Career in FE
    • FE Jobs Profiles
  • Resources
    • Academic Case Studies
    • Professional Case Studies
    • Job Profiles
      • Biological Science Jobs
      • Health and Medical Jobs
      • Engineering and Technology Jobs
      • Computer Science Jobs
      • Physical and Environmental Science Jobs
      • Professional Service Jobs
        • Business Development Manager Jobs Profile
        • Chef Jobs Profile
        • Civil Service Jobs Profile
        • Email Marketing Jobs Profile
        • SEO Jobs Profile
    • Vlogs
  • Webinars
  • Country Profiles
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Ghana
      • Kenya
      • Nigeria
      • South Africa
    • Americas
      • Canada
      • United States of America
    • Asia
      • Bahrain
      • Brunei
      • China
      • Hong Kong
      • India
      • Japan
      • Kazakhstan
      • Malaysia
      • Qatar
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Dubai
      • Singapore
      • South Korea
      • Turkey
      • United Arab Emirates
      • Work in Vietnam – Country Profile
      • Work in Uzbekistan – Country Profile
    • Europe
      • Belgium
      • Denmark
      • Finland
      • France
      • Germany
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Norway
      • Russia
      • Spain
      • Sweden
      • Switzerland
      • United Kingdom
    • Oceania
      • Australia
      • New Zealand
  • PhD and Studentship Advice
    • PhD
    • Studentship Resources
    • Vlogs
  • Need help advertising a job?
  • About jobs.ac.uk
  • Ask A Professional
  • Academic Spotlight Interviews
  • Menu
    • CV and Cover Letter Advice
      • CV Tips
      • Free CV Templates
      • Cover Letters with Examples
      • Personal Profiles
      • CV Resources
    • Jobseeking and Interview Tips
      • Jobseeking Tips
      • Academic Interviews
      • Professional Interviews
      • Jobseeking and Interview Resources
    • Career Development
      • Academic Careers
      • Career Progression Stories
      • Research Careers
      • Professional Careers
      • Working in Industry
      • Career Development Resources
      • Global Careers
      • Working From Home
    • Women in Higher Education
    • FE Career Advice
      • FE CV & Interview Tips
      • Working in FE
      • Managing your Career in FE
      • FE Jobs Profiles
    • Resources
      • Academic Case Studies
      • Professional Case Studies
      • Interview questions tool
      • Vlogs
      • Job Profiles
        • Biological Science Jobs
        • Health and Medical Jobs
        • Engineering and Technology Jobs
        • Computer Science Jobs
        • Physical and Environmental Science Jobs
        • Professional Service Jobs
        • Civil Service jobs
    • Webinars
    • Country Profiles
      • Africa
        • Work in Egypt – Country Profile
        • Work in Ghana – Country Profile
        • Work in Kenya – Country Profile
        • Work in Nigeria – Country Profile
        • Work in South Africa – Country Profile
      • Americas
        • Work in Canada – Country Profile
        • Work in the United States of America – Country Profile
      • Asia
        • Work in Bahrain – Country Profile
        • Work in Brunei – Country Profile
        • Work in China – Country Profile
        • Work in Hong Kong – Country Profile
        • Work in India – Country Profile
        • Work in Japan – Country Profile
        • Work in Kazakhstan – Country Profile
        • Work in Malaysia – Country Profile
        • Work in Qatar – Country Profile
        • Work in Saudi Arabia – Country Profile
        • Work in Singapore – Country Profile
        • Work in South Korea – Country Profile
        • Work in Turkey – Country Profile
        • Work in United Arab Emirates – Country Profile
      • Dubai
      • Europe
        • Belgium Country Profile
        • Work in Denmark – Country Profile
        • Work in Finland – Country Profile
        • France Country Profile
        • Work in Germany – Country Profile
        • Work in Ireland – Country Profile
        • Work in Italy – Country Profile
        • Work in the Netherlands – Country Profile
        • Work in Norway – Country Profile
        • Work in Russia – Country Profile
        • Work in Spain – Country Profile
        • Work in Sweden – Country Profile
        • Work in Switzerland – Country Profile
        • Work in the United Kingdom – Country Profile
      • Oceania
        • Work in Australia – Country profile
        • Work in New Zealand – Country Profile
    • Studentship Advice
      • PhD
      • Studentship Resources
      • Vlogs
    • Need help advertising a job?
    • About jobs.ac.uk

Your PhD Journey – Top Tips 

scientist working at computer

Embarking on your PhD journey is often solitary, challenging and overwhelming. Some students, however, find the process liberating, fulfilling and academically stimulating. When I embarked on my PhD journey I was certainly unaware of what was ahead: the precision of academic writing; the solitary process; the importance of the supervision team; my capabilities; and, the amount of reading and redrafting. Although most institutions insist on a few days of mandatory preparation training, knowing what to expect in advance could be considerably helpful. I’m pleased to share a collection of podcasts from Dr Arun Ulahannan & Dr Julia Gauly, a husband and wife team who passed their PhDs in 2020 and who offer tips and advice on the practical things they learned during their PhD studies, things they wish they’d known before they embarked on 4 years of in-depth research.

You can also see our collection of vlogs from PhD students at various stages of their research, who share their experiences to help you decide if a PhD is for you.

There are several reasons why people embark on a PhD journey, but there are two which I consider particularly important. Firstly, there should be a topic or theory that motivates your curiosity and secondly, there must be an interest in research and adding to knowledge. Personally, I was interested in a topic for a number of years and realised that if I could fill a gap in the knowledge I would be able to create a positive impact on thousands of lives.  

Top Points to consider: 

  • Be aware that this is an exciting yet challenging academic journey. 

Remember that this is a long road that will be challenging yet fulfilling. As your PhD journey develops, you will become more comfortable with the process and everything that it offers.  

  • Build a good relationship with your supervision team.  

You are now part of a research team and having reliable supervisors is vital. If there are any difficulties, even if they seem minor, address these as soon as possible. Supervisors can be extremely busy but they have a duty to guide you along this academic road. Have regular meetings and consistent correspondence via email, skype, telephone or over coffee.  

  • It is ok not to feel motivated all the time throughout the journey.  

You will not be motivated throughout the whole process. In fact, there will be many occasions when you feel like giving up. That is a normal part of the journey. During these times, remember self-care and take some time out to reignite your energy.  

  • Procrastination is a no-no. 

We all do it but bear in mind that procrastination will only delay you in many strides in your research.  

  • Set and commit to deadlines.  

It is vital that your supervision team, along with you, set clear objectives and deadlines. Stick to these.  

  • Take criticism- this will make your research stronger.  

You will receive criticism– lots of it. Take note and receive it willingly as this will only make your research stronger.  

  • Take breaks during the day and meet with other researchers. 

As the PhD can be such a solitary process, it is worth building up a network of research friends where you can share experiences, gain support and generally feel connected.  

  • Read, read, read. 

This is vital, especially within the first six months. Papers, books, journals, articles- anything that is recent and relevant to your research.  

  • Allow yourself time to develop and solidify your academic writing.  

Do not be harsh on your initial attempts of academic writing. As the journey develops this will progress naturally.  

  • Have a clear vision of the research area. 

Although passion, knowledge and enthusiasm are vital, you must have a clear outline of how you see your research journey progressing: the big question should always be at the forefront of your mind.  

  • Assessment and viva preparation– the three P’s: prepare, plan and practice! 

Although the assessment and exam stages can be daunting, they offer you the opportunity to prepare, plan and practice which in turn will consolidate your own understanding of your research.  

  • Draft, redraft and make it your best.  

One redraft is never enough. Be prepared to redraft chapters, tables, and even sentence structure several times. Always aim to showcase your very best work.  

  • Set a clear question and sub-questions that will guide you in your research journey.  

The questions will guide you through the research. However, bear in mind, that as the research progresses, the questions continually change. In fact, I know quite a few PhD candidates who changed their main question the day before their viva! 

  • Attend seminars and courses. 

While it is beneficial to attend courses it is worth noting that not all courses will be relevant to you.  

  • Attend conferences and share your research findings. 

Although this can be quite frightening for some, participating in conferences provides excellent networking opportunities and offer good practice at speaking and coherently organising and presenting your material.  

  • Perfectionism can be debilitating.  

While it is great to present your absolute best work, it is also important to NOT be a perfectionist during your research journey. This can hugely delay progress and upset your focus and clarity.  

  • Be gentle with yourself and mark landmarks with celebrations. 

Chapter completions, initial assessments, 100-day viva, conference presentation, positive feedback from supervision teams are all worth celebrating. Recognise your progress, achievements and advancements in knowledge.  

  • Be able to succinctly tell others in a few sentences what your research is about. 

Many people from all types of backgrounds will ask you about your research. Be able to share this in a few sentences: what/why/how.   

Embarking on PhD research, although challenging with many ups and downs, can be a highly rewarding process that will offer new opportunities and exciting advancements. With focus, determination, self-belief and hard work, you will not only develop as an academic but will reap the benefits of skills advancement in areas such as speaking, writing, presenting, refining, networking, and debating. Enjoy the creative journey and all the stimulation and challenge that it brings with it. 

Find your PhD here

Related article:

Top Questions To Ask Your Mentor

What did you think of our article? - please rate

5 / 5. 1


Share this article

jobs.ac.uk

Start your UK & international job search for academic jobs, research jobs, science jobs and managerial jobs in leading universities and top global employers.

Reader Interactions

You may also like:

  • Supporting Individual Researchers in a Publish-or-Perish Culture

    Supporting Individual Researchers in a Publish-or-Perish Culture

  • Quiet Mornings with a Tea

    How to stay calm for your PhD defence

  • Online education training and e learning webinar on internet

    Basic skills in Moodle management

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

nine + twenty =

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow us

Searching for a job in the United Kingdom

Latest Jobs

  • PhD Studentship: Thermal Energy Decarbonisation of Large Industrial and Commercial Sites

    University of Warwick

    Location: Coventry, University of Warwick, Warwick

    Salary: £20,780 Refer to advert


  • PhD Position in Responsible AI (f/m/d)

    University of Duisburg-Essen

    Location: Duisburg

    Salary: Salary group 13 TV-L, full-time (100%)


  • PhD Studentship: Experimental Investigation of Pharmaceutical Tablet Disintegration and Drug Release

    University of Surrey

    Location: Guildford

    Salary: £20,780 Stipend


  • PhD Studentship in Psychology: Probiotics for Depressive Symptoms, Associated Behavioural Outcomes and Neural Activation: a 3-year PhD Project

    School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading

    Location: Reading

    Salary: £20,780 p.a.


  • PhD Studentship: AI meets MD: Machine Learning Potentials for Nanomaterial-Liquid Systems

    School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh

    Location: Edinburgh

    Salary: Tuition fees + stipend are available for Home/EU and International students


  • PhD Studentship: Improved Heat Transfer Understanding via Conjugate Heat Transfer, Co-Simulation and AI Approaches

    University of Surrey

    Location: Guildford

    Salary: £20,780 (2025/26 academic year), Fees Covered, £3000 research training support grant. Funding is for 3.5 years.


Footer

jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people
  • Find a Job
  • Find PhDs
  • Career Advice
  • Jobs by Email
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility Statement

Copyright © jobs.ac.uk 1998 - 2025

  • Find a Job
  • Find PhDs
  • Careers Advice
  • Jobs by Email
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Accessibility
jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people

Copyright © jobs.ac.uk 1998 - 2025