Employable Researcher – A winning CV

Sunitha Rao Pangala

Third year PhD studentDepartment of Environment, Earth and

Ecosystems

• To achieve something significant• To discover or learn something new• To improve yourself• It fits you(The PhD Application Handbook. (Open University Press) by Peter Bentley)

For me – it is an entry ticket into academia

Why do a PhD?

Academic job advertPerson specification

• You will be soon to obtain or have a PhD in …..

• You will have experience of ….., preferably with a focus on….

• Demonstrable relevant field work experience, data analysis expertise are

also essential

• with a solid grounding in

• A proven track record in being able to work as part of a team distributed in

different research institutes, internationally.

• Candidates with research strengths and experience

• Will have extensive experience in the design and implementation of ……….

Academic job advert

Person specification

• A strong publication record, effective writing and presentation skills

• Contribute significantly to the dissemination and publication of the research teams findings at conferences and in international peer-reviewed journals

• Have an established publication record in these areas. Other candidates of exceptional quality and publication record may be considered.

• It is incumbent on you to take an active part in leading the preparation of manuscripts for publication, in oral and poster presentations

Education

Publications, conference proceedings and abstracts

Awards and honours

Teaching and synergistic activities

Analytical and technical skills

References

Work experience

• International journals

• Conference proceedings

• Conference abstracts

International journals• Always consider writing as you go along

• First chapter = review article

• Data chapters = potential papers

• Have an idea about where you want to publish

• Don’t worry if your paper gets rejected – its referee’s way of saying

“Welcome to Academia”!

• Consider having atleast 3 authors = more feedback. The more you

collaborate more papers you get.

• Never compare your publication record with other PhD students

Conference proceedings and abstracts

• Conference proceedings are sometimes peer reviewed

• Conference abstracts can be cited

• A list of abstracts convey that you have been active in disseminating research findings at national and international level

Making the most of conference• Organise a session

• Volunteering

• Read the programme well in advance

• Prepare a short self-introduction

• Are you worth their time? They rather talk to someone else who they think is worth their time.

• Meet other researchers - Scatter gun approach -Targeted approach

WHY VOLUNTEER?

In return for five days of service, students volunteers receive a free registration and free shared guest room accommodations (two

people per room) for up to five nights.

Awards and Honours• Funding secured

• Prizes

• Summer school participation (through an award)

• Internships

• Visiting fellowships

• Invited seminars

Teaching and synergetic activities

• Teaching (associate lecturer, course development, residential schools, other universities)

• Skills development through research school activities, vitae, funding bodies (NERC, BBSRC, EPSRC etc.)

• Organising special interest group meetings, sessions at conferences, workshops in the OU, induction events, help your supervisor organise events, STEM net ambassador, tutoring

• Explore opportunities to mentor undergraduate/ postgraduate students

Further reading• Kate L. Turabian: A manual for writers of term papers, theses and

dissertations, 1996, The University of Chicago Press, 6th Ed.

• Peter J. Feibelman: A PhD Is Not Enough!: A Guide to Survival in Science

• Marian Petre, Gordon Rugg: The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research

• Estelle Phillips: How to Get a PhD: A Handbook for Students and Their Supervisors

• The guardian article - How not to get a PhD http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2002/nov/08/highereducation.books