How to Make Your PhD Work A modern guide for a challenging modern PhD market The job market for PhDs in science and engineering has become immensely more challenging in the last decade. As of 2022, less than 5% of PhDs attain permanent academic positions, yet books about navigating PhD programs continue to treat permanent academic employment as the assumed norm. Today’s PhDs need tools not only for completing their programs successfully, but for positioning themselves in a varied and competitive job market. How to Make Your PhD Work meets this need, with concrete, empowering advice that takes account of modern job market challenges and opportunities. It cuts through widespread misconceptions about STEM careers and funding, offers tips for navigating difficult degree programs, and supplies current or prospective PhDs with the tools to radically transform their post-degree career prospects. How to Make Your PhD Work readers will also find: Detailed discussion of topics including postdoctoral fellowships, nonacademic careers, success in industry, and more Twelve stories from PhD students who talk about their relationship with their advisor, their success with their project, and their transition into their careers Worksheets and case studies designed to help PhDs map out potential career paths An author with extensive experience of the nonacademic job market and a real understanding of the challenges STEM PhDs face How to Make Your PhD Work is ideal for any STEM PhD student, prospective student, or early career researcher looking to improve their positions in the job market.

A unique take on how to survive and thrive in the process your PhD, this is a book that stands out from the crowd of traditional PhD guides. Compiled by a leading UK researcher, and written in a highly personal one-to-one manner, How to Get Your PhD showcases the thoughts of diverse and distinguished minds hailing from the UK, EU, and beyond, spanning both academia and industry. With over 150 bitesize nuggets of actionable advice, it offers more detailed contributions covering topics such as career planning, professional development, diversity and inclusion in science, and the nature of risk in research. How to Get Your PhD: A Handbook for the Journey is as readable for people considering a PhD as it is for those in the middle of one: aiming to clarify the highs and lows that come when training in the profession of research, while providing tips & tricks for the journey. This concise yet complete guide allows students to "dip in" and read just what they need, rather than adding to the mountain of reading material they already have.

"Mastering Your PhD: Survival and Success in the Doctoral Years and Beyond" helps guide PhD students through their graduate student years. Filled with practical advice on getting started, communicating with your supervisor, staying the course, and planning for the future, this book is a handy guide for graduate students who need that extra bit of help getting started and making it through. While mainly directed at PhD students in the sciences, the book's scope is broad enough to encompass the obstacles and hurdles that almost all PhD students face during their doctoral training. Who should read this book? Students of the physical and life sciences, computer science, math, and medicine who are thinking about entering a PhD program; doctoral students at the beginning of their research; and any graduate student who is feeling frustrated and stuck. It's never too early -- or too late! This second edition contains a variety of new material, including additional chapters on how to communicate better with your supervisor, dealing with difficult people, how to find a mentor, and new chapters on your next career step, once you have your coveted doctoral degree in hand.

“A fresh update to a true classic. This is one of the most reassuring and useful books you will ever read about doing your PhD, no matter your topic - or where you are enrolled.” Professor Inger Mewburn, Director of Researcher Development, Office of the Dean of Higher Degree by Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia “How to get a PhD is both honest and thorough and thus immensely helpful, for supervisors as much as for students.” Professor Paul Allain, Dean of the Graduate and Researcher College, University of Kent, UK “The 7th edition! ‘How to get a PhD’ is proving its status as a must read for PhDs and supervisors.” Dr Hans Sonneveld, Founder and Board member, Netherlands Centre of Expertise for Doctoral Education How to Get a PhD 7e provides a practical and realistic approach for all students who are embarking on a PhD. In addition, supervisors will find invaluable tips on their role in the process, good supervisory practices and how to support students to work effectively. Thoroughly revised and updated throughout, the seventh edition provides an overview of what it means to undertake a PhD within a modern university, exploring both the challenges and rewards of a doctoral degree, including: • Contemporary challenges for students including transgender issues, sexual harassment, and exploitation within the academic environment • Time demands, the balance of academia and paid work, and the uncertainty of academic careers and how this can impact students’ mental health • Academic debates surrounding the increased importance of technology and open access • Emphasising diversity with an increased focus on how students, supervisors and universities can work together to make a more effective and welcoming academic environment The new edition is structured so that users can find the section that will help the specific stage of their work. With practical guidance through the application process, research, viva and post-viva, this book supports PhD students of all disciplines across their journey and beyond, including part-time, those returning to study and those who are practice-based. Estelle M. Phillips has enjoyed a long career as an academic and independent educational consultant. She has published widely on various aspects of the PhD and has spoken at universities on four continents about the skills required to complete and supervise a PhD. Colin G. Johnson is an associate professor at the University of Nottingham, and was formerly Associate Dean for Graduate Studies in the sciences at the University of Kent. He is an experienced PhD supervisor and examiner, and has led training courses for new PhD students and advised on postgraduate strategy for a number of universities. Professor Derek S Pugh (1930-2015) was Emeritus Professor of International Management of the Open University Business School, UK. He published 17 books and over 100 papers in his field and had considerable experience in the design of doctoral programmes and the successful supervision and examination of PhD students.

“This book will undoubtedly become a must read for every PhD student.” Dr Steven McCabe, Associate Professor, Birmingham City University, UK “A great addition to any supervisor or student's bookshelf" Professor Inger Mewburn, Director of researcher development, Australian National University, Australia “The PhD Handbook is an essential read to make this journey easier and more structured” Prof Dr Carsten P Welsch, Head of Physics Department, University of Liverpool, UK “The PhD Handbook is a vital companion to PhD studies in any discipline." Colin G. Johnson, Associate Professor, University of Nottingham, and co-author of How to Get a PhD Based on the authors successful training courses run around the world for thousands of PhD students, and drawing on personal experiences of completing their own doctoral degrees, this book offers tried and tested approaches to help students at all stages meet the demands of a PhD. Full of practical and highly applicable tools, techniques, activities and templates, The PhD Handbook looks beyond research challenges to provide an accessibly written step-by-step guide to the wider project management and personal effectiveness skills needed throughout your journey toward a successful and timely qualification. Each chapter focuses on the most common issues PhD students encounter, including how to: • Create a useful plan when you don’t know what you’re doing • Actively shape a positive supervision partnership • Stop worrying and start working • Get the most out of every day • Get going again if you get stuck • Bounce back when things go wrong • Use your PhD as the launchpad for your future career As well as helping you make the most of the doctoral experience, the book also provides a toolbox of transferable skills that you will find useful in setting yourself up for a successful career beyond your degree. Dr Rosie Doyle is a highly respected trainer and coach, with a career of more than 25 years specialising in personal effectiveness, teamworking and leadership. She works in the UK and Europe with clients in the university, space industry, arts and charity sectors. She completed her PhD in 2009 at the University of St Andrews, UK. Dr Fraser Robertson is an internationally acclaimed trainer, consultant and speaker. A project manager in industry for over 20 years, he established Fistral Training in 2008 and specialises in supporting researchers around the globe from PhDs and PostDocs, to PIs and the Professoriate. He completed his doctoral degree at Edinburgh Napier University, UK in 2015.

How to Survive Your PhD is your insider's guide to avoiding mistakes, choosing the right program, working with professors, and just how a person actually writes a 200-page paper When you're getting your PhD, you never know what surprises to expect. But now, you can be prepared! How to Survive Your PhD is your step-by-step guide to the right way to tackle every part of the doctoral process. Getting your PhD is not an easy process, and the decisions you make before and during your doctoral work can mean the different between having a PhD in four years or eight, Jason Karp has been there – and made the mistakes – and he shows you just what to avoid, what you should be doing, and how to make the best use of your time and resources. Plus insider tips on: Choosing Your School Dealing with Finances Picking the Right Academic Advisor Researching the Dissertation Managing Your Time The Exams Tricks of the Trade The Defense And so much more