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So you want to do a PhD? You’ve decided on your field of interest and
put together the details of your proposed project. But a PhD isn’t an independent
piece of research, it’s a training award, and finding the right supervisor
to guide you through the next three years is crucial.

Perhaps there’s a likely candidate in the department where you’re doing
your first degree. If so, you’re in the enviable position of having had
three years to get to know him, and he you (it’s odd how they always seem
to be men). Does he known your name yet? Can you face another three years
of his jokes? If you’re already calling him ‘Uncle Keith’ it may be time
to move on.

There’s a lot to be said for moving to another institute to do your
PhD. It can widen your outlook, and the resulting cross-fertilisation of
ideas can do nothing but good for both parties. However, this way you’ll
be lucky if you have three hours to get to know the man before you decide
to work with him. You’ll probably approach someone whose work you know from
the literature. He publishes in mainline journals and is well respected.
You know he’s a sound scientist, but if you’re going to live in each other’s
pockets, it’s important that there won’t be a major clash of personalities.

Most supervisors will have decided from your CV and references whether
you are capable of the job. Interviews are designed more as a process of
mutual investigation. A good impression to create is that of a genial, well-informed
workaholic. (If it’s within your capabilities to appear tall and blonde,
this has been known to help in some quarters). Rugby shirts, cycling shorts
and engagement rings should not be worn. All indicate that you have ‘outside
interests,’ which may be frowned upon!

Aim to arrive early. This gives you the chance to look around the department
and assess your potential supervisor’s standing. Does he command a penthouse
research empire or occupy a dingy office in the unfashionable end of the
building? Can the porter tell you where to find him or does he claim that
Professor Lemming is ‘never here after three,’ ‘retired’ or worst of all
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Talk to his other students. Are they relaxed, confident and busy or
do they have a glazed expression and a compulsion to look over their shoulders?
Have they published single author papers? First author papers? At all? Can
they correctly identify the photograph of their supervisor on the department
mugshot board? (Do not be unduly disturbed if this is not the case. Many
of these daguerreotypes represent academics before they went bald/gained
weight/changed sex).

Is he expecting you? Having forgotten about your visit may be a counter-indication
in a medic but a badge of distinction in a theoretical physicist. When you’re
finally ushered in to meet the great man, observe his habitat closely. Does
he surround himself with expensive, high-tech equipment or does he rely
on an adding machine and an old Vela. Are his bookshelves packed with the
neatly bound theses of past students? (If his bookshelves are packed with
neatly bound volumes of the Beano, and the mean age of his research group
is greater than the atomic weight of aluminium, tread very carefully!)

If he has a ‘Surfer’s Paradise’ suntan and has to fit in your interview
between a lecture tour of Japan and a conference in Brazil, will you ever
see him? Conversely, if he looks as though he hasn’t emerged from the lab
in four years, will you want to?

If you’re lucky, he may take you to lunch – a marvellous opportunity
to assess your compatibility. As a vegetarian, will you be bothered by his
penchant for extra-rare steaks? As an aficionado of fine wines, will he
disapprove of your pints of cider? Most importantly, can you talk to each
other? Over the next three years you’ll want to discuss ideas, ask advice,
beg favours and probably cross swords once or twice, so the ability to communicate
is vital.

The relationship between student and supervisor is often difficult to
orchestrate. Some supervisors treat their students as colleagues and friends,
others prefer to maintain a formal teacher-pupil relationship. (My own supervisor
considers himself mentor to my tormentor!) In any case, your PhD supervisor
will be an important figure in your life for at least the next three years.
Your PhD will inevitably affect the rest of your career, so take some time
to consider not just what and where you’d like to research, but who you’d
like to work with.

Stephanie Wray is coexisting peacefully with her supervisor at the University
of Bristol.