Tips on finding PhD supervisor

During attending Research Methodology course, most of the speakers strongly highlighted the importance of finding right sv. There were cases whereby sv moved to another uni/organisation for better future prospect or attractive offer. Not forget to mention those who died due to illnesses or ageing. Meanwhile, arguments and misunderstanding with sv may lead PhD candidate to failure destination. These are the things that truly burdened my mind and interrupted my comfort sleep every night beforehand.

Having discussed the numbers of sv problematic issues, tips from experienced people hopefully indispensable.  Here are the summary from my seniors advices, tips from internet and guideline given during research methodology course (re-arranged to meet with my personal requirement actually).

1. Determine in which country we would like to study.

Europe? Australia? New Zealand? US? or even Local University?

For me, I would prefer Australia

2. Check the ranking of the university and the course.

Select the top 10 universities at the particular country.

3. Go through their website, search for the faculty/school/institute/group offering your field thoroughly, and identify lecturers that meet our need. Look at their publication tract record, CV, students under supervision, labs and related equipments etc.

Professors

• Adv:    They usually have good publication record, vast experiences, knowledgeable, strong      networking worldwide, well known
• Disadv: They might be quite busy to supervise,  frequently travelled as visiting professor, holding important management position, in which due to all these possible reason they couldn't give full commitment to students

Associate Professors

• Adv: In between professors and Dr
• Disadv: In between professors and Dr

Dr

• Adv: Still fresh and physically strong, have high commitment and will work very hard to achieve higher position, having lots of idea, due to this reason they will give their 100% commitment to student
• Disadv  : Will push student  to work very hard, still need more supervision experience, have to learn more knowledge, in the process of building networking and publication

4. Email them mentioning your intention to do PhD under their supervision with attached latest CV. Generally, those who give immediate respond shows their good interest on us. 

5. Discuss about project with potential sv. Then later ask opinion about the discussed research projects with the appropriate people in our institution. They will help to screen and identify the most appropriate sv and project.

6. Discuss in details with the selected sv and start to do literature prior to full proposal development.