Choosing your PhD supervisor is, without a doubt, a major decision. It can honestly feel like the most difficult part of the whole application process.
A supervisor isn't a teacher; they're going to be your main guide and mentor for the next three to five years, or even longer. So much of your success and happiness during your PhD will often depend on this relationship.
Usually, people find their supervisors in one of two main ways. Some apply for a specific, pre-defined project, while others need to propose their own research.
This guide is here to help you with how to find a PhD supervisor, no matter which path you're on.
Read more: How to Approach a PhD Supervisor
What is a PhD Supervisor (And What is Their Role)?
So, let's start with the basics. What does a PhD supervisor actually do? The primary role of a PhD supervisor is to use their academic experience to support you as you complete your project. They're there to provide feedback, academic guidance, and support.
Before You Start: The Two Main Paths to Finding a Supervisor
Your strategy for finding a supervisor is going to depend heavily on how you're applying. Are you applying for a position that already exists, or will you be creating your own project?
Path 1: Applying for an Advertised Project
This first path is definitely simpler. In many countries, especially in Europe, and in a lot of science fields, PhDs are offered as advertised positions or studentships. In this case, finding the supervisor is pretty easy. They're the academics who designed the project, and their name will be right there on the application.
Path 2: Proposing Your Own Research Project
This second path takes a bit more investigation. It's very common in North America (like the US and Canada) and in many humanities fields. Here, you need to develop your own research idea first. Then, you're responsible for finding an academic whose research interests line up perfectly with your proposal.
This guide is going to focus heavily on helping you with this second path.
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How to Find a PhD Supervisor: Traditional Search Strategies
If you're proposing your own research, you'll need to start by building a list of potential supervisors. The traditional methods do take a lot of manual work, but they're a very good place to start.
Step 1: Start with Your Research Interests
Before you start, you really need to have at least a rough idea of your PhD topic. You do not have to have a perfect proposal, but you must have a clear direction. This will make you know that you are reaching the right people and not wasting their time or yours.
Step 2: Use Your Current Network and Resources
Once you know your general topic, you can get started on your search.
Browse university websites: Look at the academic staff or faculty sections. Professors will provide their research interests, recent publications, and occasionally the areas they are seeking to supervise PhD students.
Discuss with your existing professors: This is a tactic that is frequently ignored. Your Master or undergrad professors are professionals in their field. They are aware of the other key experts, and they may even be able to introduce you.
Read academic papers: You're likely already reading plenty of articles in your field. Pay close attention to the authors. The names that pop up again and again are the leaders in your research area. Find out which university they work at, and then see if they're accepting new students.
A Smarter, Faster Way: How to Find a PhD Supervisor Using ApplyKite
The traditional methods work, but let's be honest, they can be slow and scattered. You could easily spend weeks just looking at one university website after another. A more modern approach is to use a tool that was built specifically to solve this exact problem.
ApplyKite offers a free and powerful search engine that lets you find professors and supervisors all over the world. Instead of just guessing, you can filter them by the criteria that actually matter.
Step 1: Set Up Your ApplyKite Profile for Success
First things first, after you log in, take a moment to complete your profile. This is a really important step for getting accurate results.
You'll need to enter your field of study (like Computer Science, Biology, and so on).
You also need to enter the academic level you're applying for, such as «PhD.»
Here's a helpful tip: we really recommend you upload your resume. If you do that, the KiteAI tool can help you write much better, personalized emails and Statements of Purpose (SOPs) later on, all based on your real background.
Step 2: How to Search for Professors Using Keywords
Okay, once your profile is ready, you can use the professor search. The best way to start is by using keywords that are related to your specific research field.
A Quick Note on Keyword Overlap
You might, for example, search for «computer science» and see a professor in the «medicine» department. This is not an error. So many PhD positions today are interdisciplinary. That medical professor might just need someone with computer science skills for their research. This can be a really great, hidden opportunity for you.
How to Get Better Results with Keywords
Instead of using just one general keyword (like «Chemistry»), try using a more precise list of keywords that really describe your interests. For example: «Classification Algorithms,» «Python Programming,» «Machine Learning.» This will give you a much more focused list of professors who are a truly strong match for your skills.
Set Your Matching Precision
After you search, the system will ask you for your preferred precision level. You've got three options:
Precise: The results will be strictly limited to your exact keywords.
Balanced: This includes your keywords and some closely related areas.
Wide: This shows the broadest range of results, which is great for exploring those interdisciplinary options.
Step 3: Filter Your Results Like a Pro
After getting your keyword results, you can filter the list to get it even more specific. It is here that you can actually reduce your choices to get that ideal match.
The important filters are such as:
By Country: This is perfect for location-specific searches, like finding a PhD supervisor in the UK or a position in Germany.
By University: You can filter by a particular school that you would like to attend.
By Funding, It is one of the strongest filters. It assists you in locating professors with active grants or those who are reputed to fund their students.
By Position: This reduces the list to supervisors with an advertised academic position at the moment.
Step 4: Examine the Profile of the Professor
On clicking the name of a professor, you will get his or her profile. This is where you get to do your research. Their complete research interests, a list of their recent articles, a link to their LinkedIn, and any open positions they have posted can be found.
How to Find a Good PhD Supervisor (Not Just Any Supervisor)
It is just the beginning to find a list of possible names. It is not only about finding a supervisor, but the right one.
You will have to be a detective as you go through their profiles. These are the main qualities you are seeking.
Quality 1: Significant and up-to-date Research Expertise.
Are they actively publishing in your field right now? Find recent articles, e.g., within the past few years. Are they in prominent, peer-reviewed journals? The number of citations is also a very good indication that their work is highly regarded by others.
Quality 2: A Good History of Supervision
Have they managed to guide other PhD students to the end? Look at their university profile or their LinkedIn page. Their «lab family,» or a list of former students can often be seen. Whatever happened to those students? This will indicate whether they are effective in assisting their students to succeed.
Quality 3: Stable Career Plans
This is a practical thing, but it is a significant one. You require a supervisor who intends to spend your whole PhD at the university. When they are near retirement, planning a long sabbatical, or considering transferring to a different institution, it may create significant issues in your future.
Quality 4: Supportive Personality and Mentorship Style
This is, perhaps, the most significant quality of all. What do they do to you when you read about them or (later) see them? Are they passionate about their job? Are they motivating and, above all, respectful?
Quality 5: Good Organizational Skills
A decent supervisor is fairly accessible. They provide clear feedback on your work in a timely manner and provide clear expectations. It is extremely difficult to succeed when your boss is away for months at a time.
How to email a PhD Supervisor (Write the Perfect First Email)
Alright, you have created your list of great supervisors. The second step is to contact and make that vital initial contact.
This section may be quite stressful, and that initial email is of paramount importance.
For detailed strategies on writing the perfect email, what to include, and how to follow up, please see our complete guide: How to Approach a PhD Supervisor.
Read more: How to Email Professors for a PhD
The way KiteAI can write this email on your behalf
It can take hours to write a unique and personalized email to each individual professor. ApplyKite has a tool to assist in this.
The KiteAI chatbot is located on the profile page of every professor. You can just click on «Create Email» in case you have already uploaded your resume to your profile. The AI will automatically compose a professional and personal email.
This email is not generic at all. It takes your own background based on your resume and mixes it with the research interests and publications of that professor. It assists you in making a good first-contact email in a few seconds, which can actually raise your odds of receiving a positive response.
What If You Need More Personalized Help?
This entire process of name finding, email writing, and interview preparation is complicated. It is quite natural to be overwhelmed and to desire that you had someone to help you. You can always seek assistance in case you are stuck or simply need a second opinion.
ApplyKite also provides mentoring and application support services to students who prefer a one-on-one approach to learning. You will be able to find a professional mentor who has already gone through this process and can help you step-by-step, starting with finding supervisors and ending with evaluating offers.
Conclusion: Your PhD Journey Starts with the Right Mentor
The most significant choice in your application is to find a PhD supervisor. This is not merely a decision based on the reputation of a university but rather a decision based on the right fit. The right mentor will make your PhD a pleasant experience, whereas the wrong one will make it extremely challenging.
Be strategic: clarify your research, use smart tools to filter supervisors, and vet them for expertise and mentorship style. The effort you put in now to find the right mentor will make all the difference in your PhD journey.
Read more: What Are Your Research Interests?
FAQs
How do you find your PhD supervisor?
Check university faculty websites, ask your current professors for recommendations, or read academic papers to find authors in your field. You can also use a specialized search database, like ApplyKite's, to filter professors by field, country, and funding.
How hard is it to find a PhD supervisor?
It definitely takes time and organized research, but it's not impossible. The challenge is actually based on your discipline, the availability of funds, and whether you are submitting an advertised project or a proposal.
How to pick a PhD supervisor?
Focus on four key areas: Expertise: Are they an active expert in your field? Style: Does their mentorship style (hands-on vs. hands-off) fit your needs? Track Record: Have they successfully guided other students to graduation? Personality: Are they respectful, supportive, and good communicators?
