The 2015 series of Careers After Biological Sciences talks at the University of Leicester (UK) included two presentations by current PhD students. They had taken very different routes from their initial undergraduate degree into their further studies. In this presentation Dan Rogerson [BSc(Hons) Biological Sciences (Biochemistry), 2011] describes the proactive method he chose to secure his PhD place at a prestigious Cambridge laboratory.

1. A proactive method to secure a PhD
Dan Rogerson

3. About Me
Group Leader: Jason Chin
Subject: Synthetic Biology
“The design and construction of novel artificial
biological pathways, organisms or devices, or
the redesign of existing natural biological
systems”
“Re-engineering life”

4. Genetic Code Expansion

5. Genetic Code Expansion

6. Genetic Code Expansion
tRNA Alanine
mRNA
Ribosome
Alanine
Alanine aminoacyl-tRNA
Synthetase

7. Genetic Code Expansion
tRNA Alanine
tRNA Lysine
tRNA Serine
Ribosome
mRNA
Alanine
Synthetase
Lysine
Synthetase
Serine
Synthetase

8. R
Genetic Code Expansion
tRNA Alanine
tRNA Lysine
tRNA Serine
tRNA Lysine
E.coli
Lysine Analogue
=
Lysine Synthetase
E.coli
E.coli:
Lysine Synthetase
M.Jannaschii
tRNA Lysine
M.Jannaschii

9. E. coli UAG:
321
E.coli Lysine:
>20,000

10. AAA
AAG
UAG

11. Genetic Code Expansion
Light

13. PhDs: Stuff to think about
• Your own research project
• Cutting-edge science in a field you find interesting
• Lots of lab work, data analysis, reading and
discussing results.
• Results are very exciting
But…

14. PhDs: Stuff to think about
• Long hours
• Things often fail
• Independence – Can be good and bad
• Limited by funds
• Your success is highly dependent on your support
– Choose your supervisor wisely!

15. So you want to do a PhD…
• Find a topic you are interested in. Lots of reading.
• Try to find out about the groups reputation
– See if anyone in Leicester works on something similar.
• Is their publication record good?
• Work hard to get a good grade. Get experience
where you can (summer placements).
– Masters not necessary

16. Time to apply!
• Are they offering a PhD position?
• Is their recent work interesting?
• Is the position funded?
• Keep track of application dates
– Oxbridge very early, other Uni’s deadlines are getting
earlier too…

17. How I did it…
• I wrote to every single group leader I applied to (2 in Cambridge, 1 in
Oxford and 1 in UCL)
• I came up with a potential project that the group leader would be
interested in
– Shows initiative and interest
• Risky strategy – not easy to do and could be poorly received.
• If your Tutor is willing get them to assess your ideas
• Meet with them personally if you can
• Lots and lots of reading

18. Example
Dear Whoever,
I am a 3rd year undergraduate student at the University of
Leicester and I am very interested in your group’s
research. I have been following your recent publications
and I think there is potential to investigate Subject using
Technique. If we were to do Experiment it would give
insight into Outstanding Question, which would be
interesting for Reason. Would you be free to discuss this
by phone or in person, and would there be any
opportunities for me to join your group to investigate this.
Regards,
Bob

19. If you chose to do this
• Research thoroughly – be confident about what you are saying
– If your undergraduate project is related, mention your experience.
• Do not just copy the project description if there is a position being
offered!!!!
• Do not email an essay, just show interest and initiative.
• Do not do this unless you are willing to back up your ideas with a
discussion!!!
• You may still need to apply officially through the University.
• You may not end up working on what you propose
– Ultimately you are trying to get your foot in the door.

20. If you get an interview
• Prepare a presentation of your undergraduate project, offer
to present it if you can.
• Talk about the lab with current PhD’s/Postdocs if you can.
– Ask questions about their work, the University/town, what they think of your
ideas, the social life etc…
• Be confident.
• Good luck!