1. Employable Researcher – A winning CV
Sunitha Rao Pangala
Third year PhD student
Department of Environment, Earth and
Ecosystems

2. Why do a PhD?
• 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

3. Academic job advert
Person 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 ……….

4. 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

6. Education
Work experience
Publications, conference proceedings and abstracts
Awards and honours
Teaching and synergistic activities
Analytical and technical skills
References

7. • International journals
• Conference proceedings
• Conference abstracts

8. 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

9. 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

10. Making the most of conference
• Organise a session
• Volunteering
WHY VOLUNTEER?
• Read the programme well in advance
In return for five days of service, students volunteers receive a free
• Prepare a short self-introduction room accommodations (two
registration and free shared guest
people per room) for up to five nights.
• 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

11. Awards and Honours
• Funding secured
• Prizes
• Summer school participation (through an award)
• Internships
• Visiting fellowships
• Invited seminars

12. 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

13. 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/highereducat