What you need to know about a PHD

Dr Lizelle Lubbe completed a PhD in Chemical Biology in 2018, specialising in Biomedical Research. She now works as a GCRF START Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UCT.

A PhD is an opportunity to apply all that you have learned from textbooks and contribute novel knowledge to your chosen field of study. It is an exciting time where you are mentored one-on-one by an academic who is an expert in your field of study, and you get to fully immerse yourself in your research.

Your supervisor and group

You will undoubtedly experience some failures through these years, and it is important that you learn how to cope with these. Your research group should offer you this support and it is therefore very important to choose your supervisor and project wisely. You will spend the next few years of your life dedicated to this project and it is far more likely to succeed with a supporting supervisor and a passion for your chosen research topic.

If you are still unsure whether the group is the right fit for you after reading journal articles on their work, ask if you can be accommodated in the group for job-shadowing or a short internship. You can also speak to past or present postgraduate students about their experiences in the group.

Funding

Before enrolling for a PhD, think of your motivation. It is a long, difficult, and costly journey to embark on and your decision to enrol should not be taken lightly. Find out if your dream job requires you to have a PhD. In some sectors, having a PhD can render you overqualified and lacking work experience while in others, it is a requirement.

Moreover, realize that you will most likely have to financially depend on grants that are renewed annually, depending on progress. This can add stress and uncertainty to your life. A PhD is expensive and can be even more challenging to fund if you already have a student loan carried over from your undergraduate studies. As a supplement to your PhD grant, consider part-time tutoring.

Once you have enrolled

Do a thorough literature review, decide on a set of key objectives to achieve, and plan a timeline around these. Be disciplined and organised. Treat your PhD studies as a job and set deadlines for yourself. Keep daily notes as you work – this will make writing your thesis much easier.

BE SURE TO ASK

Be sure to ask if you do not understand something and speak up if you are struggling. You do not have to know everything, and it is much easier to be honest from the start than to pretend for years.

YOU AND YOUR PEERS

Build a strong relationship with your peers and learn to debate together. This can help you cope with failures and may often provide a fresh perspective.

LEARN

Continuously strive to learn. Try to take advantage of workshops, webinars, and conferences to learn new skills and build your network. This will change the way you think and improve your marketability by setting you apart from your peers.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Keep a work-life balance and take care of yourself. A PhD can become solitary and may lead to mental health issues if you are not proactive.

YOUR ADVISOR

Respect the guidance of your advisor who has travelled this road before you. Things do not always work out the way you planned and although perseverance is important, so is knowing when to let things go. Be open to change and embrace the chance to experiment with different techniques.

PREPARE FOR THE WORST

Understand that completing a PhD is hard, and things do not always work out according to plan. I had many failed experiments during those four years which meant spending long days and nights troubleshooting with my colleagues. This taught me how to analyse large datasets, think critically, persevere, be patient and adapt to change – skills which are important in any line of work.