Unlike your undergraduate or master’s studies, your progress on your PhD will be primarily guided and supported by just one or two key members of academic staff (called supervisors). Your main supervisor will act as a tutor, mentor, critic and guide.
Supervisors connected to existing research projects
If you have applied to study for a PhD in response to an advert for a specified research project, then one or more supervisors will already be attached to the project.
Selecting your own supervisor
In other cases, potential research projects have to be matched against available supervisory expertise.
If you already have a staff member in mind, you may wish to contact them informally before submitting an application. This allows you to check if they are interested in supervising your potential research project.
Matching you with supervisors
When you are offered a place on a research degree, we match you with a supervisor experienced in your research field. You will also be assigned a second supervisor or small supervisory team.
Your supervisors will help you formulate your research and provide you with specialist support throughout your studies.
Holly and Lisa
Holly is studying for a PhD in Food and Nutritional Sciences.
Her research focuses on the use of whey protein to maintain muscle strength during ageing. She focuses on improving the texture of whey protein to improve consumer acceptance of high-protein products by older adults.
Holly is funded through the .
Her primary supervisor is Professor Lisa Methven.
Holly
“I am lucky to have a great supervisory team, including my primary supervisor, Lisa. They always find the balance between pushing me to be independent and knowing when I need help.
“They challenge me to develop my research skills, question my work and look at how I can make it better, whilst making me feel supported and capable.
“Having supervisors who I can turn to and discuss everything from detailed experimental plans, to running routes, mental health and holidays is the lifeline I need to keep me smiling during my PhD.
I am beyond grateful to have such a brilliant supervisory team and it has made my PhD far more enjoyable.”
Lisa
“The best part of my job as an academic is being a PhD supervisor. PhD research is always a voyage of discovery, and we have the privilege to be part of many such journeys.
"Having defined their challenge, PhD students propose a research hypothesis and develop experiments to test it, analyse their results, modify their thinking according to their results, and add real impact to their field through publications, presentations and outreach.
"Our role as supervisors is to support our PhD researchers through all of these stages, and it is a great way to spend your time when you have students as inquisitive, determined and enthusiastic as Holly!
"It’s always fantastic to see your PhD students become independent researchers and experts in their field. Their enthusiasm is infectious!”
Christos and Richard
Christos is studying for a PhD in History, researching and comparing Franco-British colonial practices and state building in the eighteenth-century Caribbean.
Christos is funded by a University International PhD Studentship.
His primary supervisor is Dr Richard Blakemore.
Christos
“Over the past two years as a PhD student, I have had the privilege and pleasure of working with Dr Richard Blakemore as my primary supervisor.
"I first contacted Richard because of our shared interest in Maritime and Atlantic History, and whilst our initial chat was very promising, it was nothing compared to what followed.
"Richard has been, and still is, of tremendous help in my academic development. Not only is he a great scholar, but an exceptional person and an amazing mentor, too. Working with him every day is a pleasure, to say the least.”
Richard
“Supervising PhD students like Christos is one of the most rewarding parts of my job.
"History students work very independently, so as a supervisor my role is to guide them in designing and pursuing their project, and help them to develop their research and analytical skills. That means I get to know the students really well and watch their progress as a scholar.
"I’m lucky to supervise several students right now. I’m Director of Postgraduate Research Studies and in that role I see the community our postgraduates build together, which is such an important aspect of PhD life.
"Christos works hard, but he also has a great sense of humour, which I think is a valuable asset for any student-supervisor partnership!”
Meet the team
As a doctoral student at ˿Ƶ, you'll be supported by a strong team of experienced staff who are available to help if you have any queries.
Meet our doctoral researchers
Read about some of our PhD students and their experiences of studying for a doctorate at ˿Ƶ.
Find a PhD
We regularly offer opportunities to undertake predefined projects, often in science or life science fields. Search our latest PhD projects.