Chris Thompson, Author at The PhD Place

For the wheels to continue turning in research, we need reviewers. Although often a thankless endeavour (littered with Reviewer 2 jokes), acting as a gatekeeper for the integrity of your research field remains vital. As a PhD student, you may find the process of reviewing a manuscript pretty novel, but a reviewer request email may enter your inbox in the near future. This article guides you through the pros and cons of reviewing articles.

‘Stairway to Lecture’: A Roadmap to Progress from PhD to Lecturer

Landing a lecturing role after a PhD can be difficult, and rejection is commonplace. To lower the chances of rejection, it is important to focus on your career planning and gain experience as early into your PhD as possible. Therefore, if you are serious about becoming a lecturer, here are four things you can start doing now.

‘Hey, I Just Met You, and This Is Crazy, but Here’s My LinkedIn, so Connect with Me Maybe’: How to Network at Conferences

Want to learn the dos and don’ts of effective networking at academic conferences? This article outlines five steps to maximise your networking potential, complete with template messages to send to your desired connections before and after the event. The article emphasises the importance of manners, personal space, and picking your moments accordingly.

Should I Complete Side Projects as a PhD Student?

‘Side projects’ are valuable additional endeavours alongside your PhD that can build your skillset, relevant connections and future employability – both in and outside of academia. This article discusses some common side project ideas for PhD students, and highlights some of the short-term sacrifices required to complete them.

Non-Academic Job Interviews: 4 Questions to Get Ready For

Are you taking the first steps into careers outside of academia? Anxious about selling yourself to a new audience post-PhD? This is normal, but with the right preparation you can knock your interview out of the park and stand out from the crowd! This article guides you through four important questions to prepare your answers for.

Great ‘Applied’ Expectations: The Importance of Gaining Real-World Experience During Your PhD

A PhD alone can’t give you all the skills and networks you will need to be competitive in the job market. This article guides you through four important benefits of real-world experience during your PhD, and how you can go about gaining this.

I would like to stay in academia after my PhD. What can I do?

Not sure of your options after your PhD? Confused by the different academic job titles, and how they relate to PhD students? Check out these five academia-oriented job options you can consider.

Spare Me the Lecture: A Short Guide On How to Excel In Your First Teaching Role

If you are reading this, it is assumed that you are about to embark on an exciting new journey in teaching at university level. Congratulations! You are about to enter a highly rewarding area of academia where each day is different and full of opportunity to inspire those around you. This blogpost goes through five key considerations to help you prepare for success before entering the classroom.

Academic Job Interviews: 5 Questions You Should Be Ready For

Regardless of your PhD stage, you can help your future self by getting interview-ready now. This article goes through five interview questions based on your research that are commonly asked at academic job interviews, with advice on what you can do now during your time as a PhD student to be more prepared in the future!

I’m Only a PhD Student, Get Me Out of Here!: Overcoming Your Apprehension to Teach During Your PhD

If you aspire to be a lecturer after your PhD, then teaching experience is paramount. There can be apprehension to teach among PhD students based on a perceived lack of subject knowledge, not feeling ready, or having concerns about public speaking. This is only natural. Nevertheless, this article details five ways around this if you give yourself enough time during your PhD!

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Succeeding at Your Next Postdoc or Lectureship Interview: 5 Insider Tips

Want to impress potential employers during your next postdoc or lectureship interview? This article has insider tips from an experienced hiring committee member. Learn how to research the institution and interviewers, prepare examples of your teaching and research experience, practice common interview questions, highlight your collaborative skills, and ask thoughtful questions to impress your interviewers and stand out from the crowd. By following these tips, you can show that you are the ideal candidate for the position and help advance your career in academia.

Applying for a PhD: My Struggles and Triumphs

This article explores the challenges, doubts and pressures faced during the pursuit of a PhD. It takes a close look at how PhD candidates are chosen, highlighting the need for looking into the scientific character of the candidate and their way of thinking rather than just focusing on academic achievements alone. The narrative also highlights coping strategies, advocating for resilience and self-reflection. Ultimately, it offers motivation to others, encouraging them to persevere in their pursuit of knowledge and passion in the face of adversity.

When Dreams Fall Apart: Mental Health and New Beginnings in Academia and Beyond

In this motivational article, the author reflects on his mental health journey of realising teaching wasn’t his dream job after all and starting over in an academia-adjacent career. The article highlights the value of clear boundaries between work and home, of prioritising mental health in academia and beyond, and of being brave enough to choose another road when you reach a dead end.

Your Academic Journey

Applications and Funding

Career and Networking

Thesis and Dissertation

Chris Thompson

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Your Academic Journey

Applications and Funding

Career and Networking

Thesis and Dissertation

Articles by

Chris Thompson

To Be or Not To Be (a Reviewer 2): Should I Review Articles as a PhD Student?

‘Stairway to Lecture’: A Roadmap to Progress from PhD to Lecturer

‘Hey, I Just Met You, and This Is Crazy, but Here’s My LinkedIn, so Connect with Me Maybe’: How to Network at Conferences

Should I Complete Side Projects as a PhD Student?

Non-Academic Job Interviews: 4 Questions to Get Ready For

Great ‘Applied’ Expectations: The Importance of Gaining Real-World Experience During Your PhD

I would like to stay in academia after my PhD. What can I do?

Spare Me the Lecture: A Short Guide On How to Excel In Your First Teaching Role

Academic Job Interviews: 5 Questions You Should Be Ready For

I’m Only a PhD Student, Get Me Out of Here!: Overcoming Your Apprehension to Teach During Your PhD

Related Articles

from our Community

Succeeding at Your Next Postdoc or Lectureship Interview: 5 Insider Tips

Applying for a PhD: My Struggles and Triumphs

When Dreams Fall Apart: Mental Health and New Beginnings in Academia and Beyond

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