Phd in chemistry

Promethean

Hey guys,

I've a BSc phham chem and taught MSc in organic chemistry Im in my late twenties and thinking of going back and doing a phd, I've been keeping an eye out for funded phds in chemistry in Ireland over the last few months but nothing has come up, could anyone advise on trying to organise my own project, if I email a college professor do i need to have a specific project in mind?

any tips on how to apply or how the process works would be greatly appreciated

thanks

Promethean

A lot of PhDs are never advertised and instead the positions are often filled by word of mouth. If you have an idea of the area of chemistry you'd like to research you should look up who's working in that field and contact them. Most University websites will have a page for each department outlining the research being done by their staff. You don't need to have your own project already thought up but if you're emailing someone you've never met before it's a good idea to have read one or two of their recent papers so you know the work they do and explain that you're interested in researching within their sphere. They might not have any space for you, or they might be applying for funding for which they'll keep you in mind, or they might suggest coming up with a project idea together and applying for funding together.

That's generally how it works! If you're unsuccessful in obtaining a PhD with one supervisor they may pass on your name to a colleague who is looking to hire someone, so it pays to put in the effort when contacting potential supervisors to come across as genuinely interested and well informed.

Best of luck with your search! A lot of funding schemes are awarded either early summer or around Christmas so it's good to have contacted people before those times to try and get yourself considered by supervisors who've just won funding, and also to keep an eye on University websites for any PhD advertisements around that time.

Promethean wrote: »

Hey guys,

I've a BSc phham chem and taught MSc in organic chemistry Im in my late twenties and thinking of going back and doing a phd, I've been keeping an eye out for funded phds in chemistry in Ireland over the last few months but nothing has come up, could anyone advise on trying to organise my own project, if I email a college professor do i need to have a specific project in mind?

any tips on how to apply or how the process works would be greatly appreciated

thanks

Promethean

thanks a lot for your reply It was very helpful