Doing a PhD …in Meteorology …at the University of Reading

1. Doing a PhD …in Meteorology …at the University of Reading Robert Warren

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0RWDS6uvV0

3. What is a PhD? • An extended piece of original research, carried out individually but with the guidance of one or more supervisors, for a period of 3–4 years (in the UK).

4. Reasons why you might want to do a PhD • Good reasons • I really love the subject. • I want to further my understanding and contribute to the advancement of the science. • I feel like a career in research/academia might be for me. • Not-so-good reasons • I think it would be cool to have “Dr” before my name • I can’t face the real world • I can’t get a job • I want to be rich

5. Pros and cons of doing a PhD • Pros • You’re your own boss • Directly applying the knowledge and skills from your degree • Flexibility in work regime • Travel • Developing transferable skills (critical thinking, data analysis, written and verbal communication) • Working with some of the best people in the field • Potential for a better paid job • Opportunities to work abroad after you finish • Student discounts! • Cons • You’re your own boss! • It’s a long slog • Can be lonely • Hard to know how well you’re doing most of the time • Low-pay compared to a lot of graduate jobs • Post-doctoral research positions often have low job security • Thesis!

6. What’s involved? • Programming! (writing models, analysing data, producing plots) • Reading papers • Lab and/or field work (for some projects) • Attending seminars, conferences, research group meetings, workshops, and training schools • Masters classes (first year; for BSc Met or non-Met students) • Supervisor meetings • Monitoring Committee meetings • Reading Researcher Development Programme (RRDP) courses • Giving presentations (N.B. Quo Vadis and Lunchtime Seminar) • Writing and publishing papers • Writing your thesis and doing your Viva • Demonstrating and marking for Undergraduate and Masters classes • Pantomime!

7. The thesis • A scientific write-up of all your work • Consists of 2–5 (usually 3) work chapters plus, introduction / literature review, and conclusions • May also include a methodology / data chapter and appendices • Most are 150–200 pages long (1.5x or 2x line spacing) • Maximum 90,000 words (excluding bibliography and appendices) • A much bigger version of your final year project report

8. What you will need • A solid understanding of the subject (First or 2:1 honours degree) • Enthusiasm for your chosen research area • Self motivation • The ability to build and maintain a good working relationship with your supervisor(s) • Patience and perseverance

9. Applying for and being offered a PhD • List of potential topics posted online in December; can also suggest your own (see http://www.met.reading.ac.uk/pg-research/pgropportunities.html for this year’s list) • Submit application form before end of January • Visit/interview day held in late February or early March • Students give project preferences and supervisors give student preferences to PhD Admissions Tutor who allocates projects • Offers made in the weeks following the visit day • Start in October (Week 1 of Autumn term)

10. Funding • For UK citizens and EU residents of the UK, funding to cover fees, travel, and living costs generally provided by research council grants (most from NERC). • NERC Studentship includes a tax-free maintenance grant (currently £13,726 p.a.) and a £1,500 travel allowance. • CASE awards, through partnerships with the Met Office and industry, attached to some projects provide additional funding (MO pay £1,500 p.a. + £750 for travel + £1,250 on submission). • Can apply to various bodies (e.g. RMetS) for additional funding to support participation in conferences, field campaigns, etc. • Earn extra from demonstrating (currently £13.72 per hour) • See http://www.met.reading.ac.uk/pg-research/pgrfunding.html

11. For more info see http://www.met.reading.ac.uk/pg-research/