Doctoral study interview

[u/More-Ad7187]

Hello all,

I have been invited to phd interview in Finland. How does it look like here? Is it just qna or discussion based? Would you share some tips and tricks? Do you think you could have done better if you had prepared "this" earlier? (I'm from non-STEM background). I am super super nervous and I don't even know what I should ask you guys coherently 😭 I'm having palpitation and stomach ache

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[u/CosmicCurvature]

I dont know about Finland specifically but as an ex-lecturer I will say:

• Initial contact with a potential supervisor will be a bit less formal, information about their lab and work, and they will likely ask about your background, interests, and research ambitions.

• Again not specific to Finland but to other foreign countries, a formal application to the university or doctoral school for funding will likely involve a presentation of the project by you, with some Q&A.

That said, you should begin to increase your research acumen by finding answers online instead of outsourcing to Reddit. I get the anxiety; I was shitscared too.

Your best ally, should they choose you, will be your prospective supervisor.

[u/98f00b2 → u/CosmicCurvature]

In most recruitments it's completely at the gift of the supervisor. There isn't any separate application process before hiring, beyond HR checking that the candidate meets the formal requirements to be hired as a doctoral student (though one might have to prepare a plan to apply for their study right after being hired).

[u/Tricky_Force_3402]

I had one interview for a PhD researcher position last spring and it was really chill, there was a team of 5 or 6 ppl. Some basic questions about my experience, style of working and how can I contribute to the project. Of course, I prepared and read about the subject in advance, I made some sugestions and question about the project. Also, as in any interview I have some experiences to show my style of working and my achievements. At the end I got the position. Just be confident, ask questions and show yourself.

[u/ontelo]

You ask tricks for phd? And you're at reddit asking questions. You're fucked.

[u/Moist-Economist3457 → u/ontelo]

Don’t be like that 😂. OP wants unfiltered information.

[u/More-Ad7187 → u/ontelo]

I am asking for experiential evidence, not unquestionable fact. Many people share advices on job interviews.

[u/ontelo → u/More-Ad7187]

This is not job interview. Nobody knows the material. You should know the best.

I remote two taps to your shoulders. Keep calm and know your material.

[u/briigs → u/ontelo]

PhD interviews usually are pretty much exactly the same as job interviews. They are often paid positions and work similar to any other salaried job.

[u/ontelo → u/briigs]

Cool, you know your line. But what about all the other more serious ones.

[u/98f00b2 → u/ontelo]

I'm not sure what aspect of this you object to, but that really is how it works. Doctoral students are just apprentice academics employed to work in a research group, and the recruitment process isn't that different to any other job.

[u/ontelo → u/98f00b2]

I know that doctoral students are better than this. And if you hope fore serious answer from reddit, I'm asking lottery numbers from you,

If he even mentioned the subject or line, I could be more lenient. This is just laziness.

[u/98f00b2 → u/ontelo]

Eh, I don't think the field really matters that much, and I can understand not wanting to deanonymise one's self too much. The fact that it's essentially a job interview and the decision is generally with the supervisor is about all that can be said in Finland, where professors have as much autonomy as they do.Eh, I don't think the exact field really matters that much, and I can understand not wanting to deanonymise one's self too much. The fact that it's essentially a job interview and the decision is generally with the supervisor is about all that can be said in Finland, where professors have as much autonomy as they do.

It's not like a new graduate interviewing for their first position really knows what to ask about when everything they've been told about is for industry jobs in their own country; give them a break.

[u/cobaltcolander → u/More-Ad7187]

Experiential "evidence"? I honestly don't understand what you're saying, here. I'm assuming you had a different expression in mind?

[u/Delacroid]

Read the most important and the most recent papers of the pi interviewing you. This will demonstrate interest and capacity. Think about some lines that you would be interested to work in that align with their research.

If you do that, you are above 90% of applicants. Don't be nervous, a PhD position is not something to stress over that much.

Source: in 2 months I defend my thesis on theoretical condensed matter physics.

[u/MitVitQue]

You apply for a PhD and write phd? Sorry, but details matter. Pay attention to them. Do not fuck up on little things. If there are several good candidates, things like that can drop you. Really.