VRKM – The Different Types of PhD Supervisor – How to Choose Your Yoda

If you are considering getting a doctorate, you may be imagining your future advisor to be some type of enigmatic being: a sage Jedi master who has the entire universe in the palm of their hand, who lives on a remote mountain, and who presumably glows in the dark as well. If you do them a favour, they will bestow upon you enormous gifts; nevertheless, if you provoke them in any way, they will use their lightsaber, which is powered by the souls of former pupils, to cut your thesis draught.

OK, so most PhD advisors aren’t luminous (unless they’ve been in the lab for a bit too long), they don’t carry lightsabers, and (ideally) all of their former students have moved on to successful postdocs or other positions.

Nevertheless, it’s normal to feel a little anxious about finding a mentor for the project you’re working on. After all, the relationship between a PhD student and their advisor is one of the most crucial facets of the programme, not to mention one of the few things of its kind. In point of fact, selecting the people with whom you will collaborate has the potential to shape the entirety of your experience conducting research (no pressure).

However, the most essential thing to keep in mind is that this is, at least to some extent, a choice that you have made. There is a diverse range of PhD supervisors available, each of which has their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s have a look at a few of them right now…

#1 The ruthless dictator

Overview

This manager is a perfect example of a textbook supervisor. They will tell you exactly what they anticipate from you, the plan for the project, the expertise that is necessary, and the research goals that are desirable from the very beginning, which will impress you (and maybe terrify you). They won’t waste your time with foolishness, they’ll get the job done, and they’ll be a productive and focused resource for your research career.

Pros

In many situations, this is a fantastic option for a supervisory role. They will be well aware of your current circumstance and will maintain consistent communication with you to discuss the project. Importantly, they won’t allow slacking or making excuses, which will help you keep on top of your work because you won’t be able to get away with it.

Cons

When you are trying to finish your master’s degree in a short amount of time, being demanding and strict could be a good idea. However, you should ask yourself if spending the next three to four years having someone crack the whip is really something you enjoy. The purpose of supervision is to facilitate communication with an experienced researcher who can monitor your development, instruct you, and inspire you to achieve success. However, maintaining a healthy balance in your life is essential, and you should be on the lookout for early warning signals that you are being pressured to place an emphasis on outcomes at the expense of your health (despite popular belief, “PhD” does not stand for “Paduan Managing Difficulties”).

#2 The brilliant individual who is unable of using the word “student”

Overview

When you see this supervisor for the first time, they are likely going to impress you with the breadth of their expertise and the arsenal of brilliant phrases in their vocabulary. This particular species is distinguished by their friendliness, high degree of expertise, intense curiosity, and contagious zeal for the topic that they study.

Pros

There is no shadow of a doubt that this supervisor is completely knowledgeable on the subject at hand. Mention a paper, would you? They are able to recite it, provide commentary on the material, and most likely offer some corrections. Could it be…? They are able to forecast the outcome, as well as any potential dangers and the subsequent experiment. They will be a true Yoda figure and a rock star in their profession; someone you can be proud to call your mentor. They will, as well, if you include them on your CV.

Cons

What’s the issue? It’s possible that this supervisor is too consumed with the discoveries of the cosmos to learn how to communicate effectively with young researchers (or, for that matter, with people). It’s possible that the first few meetings (or possibly all of them) will consist of him chatting quickly in gibberish, and then all of a sudden, “hey presto!” you’ll understand what he means, right? Working with such a supervisor could develop into a game of attempting to catch up and comprehend their recommendations, so if you don’t thrive in that kind of setting, be wary of the possibility that you will be put in that position! They could also be the kind of people that want to test every conceivable hypothesis and carry out all of the tests, regardless of whether or not doing so is feasible.

#3 Extremely hectic and vitally important

Overview

This individual is ambitious and involved, handling the business of the department, heading a variety of projects, and going to conferences. This person is a goal-oriented busybody. They are analytical, logical, and ordered in their thinking. They will let you develop your topic anyway you want, but they will be honest with you if they think you are doing something foolish.

Pros

This premium supervisor package comes with a tonne of different chances to improve one’s skills and advance one’s career. Having access to their extensive network of connections could prove to be an invaluable asset for your future career, regardless of whether you plan on working in industry or remaining in the academic field. Meetings with your supervisor can also be quite beneficial; but, in order to get the most out of each one, you will likely need to learn how to ask the proper questions and plan beforehand.

Cons

If you feel that you need more direction (particularly in the early stages of your PhD), you may discover that you are working with a supervisor who is demanding of results but is difficult to get a hold of or who never has time to come down to the lab to show you things. This can be a challenge, especially in the early stages of your PhD. If you thrive on seeking alternate sources of assistance or information and enjoy working independently, this position may be a wonderful fit for you. Be aware, though, of the difficulties that come along with dealing with someone who can only react to your emails once a month and in abbreviated form because they only have a few minutes to spare.

#4 Pleasant, oblivious, and scattered all over the place

Overview

This supervisor is encouraging and supportive, and he or she thinks highly of all of your suggestions. Even while they can appear to be a little disorganised, at least you won’t have to construct Rome in a single day if you work for them. Even if they take a very laid-back attitude, you may find yourself becoming anxious because there is no standard to which your progress can be compared, despite the fact that they take this method.

Pros

If you already know what you’re doing but could need some guidance, someone to check the accuracy of your work, and advice on who to call and how to accomplish it, this supervisor is a fantastic option to consider.

Cons

You run the risk of being very much self-managed if they don’t know why they chose to supervise you, aren’t aware of the deadlines, or have no concept what you’re doing. In other words, they don’t know why they opted to monitor you. Another red flag would be if they haven’t published anything new in a significant amount of time, or if they believe that meetings ought to be an annual event that are followed by cake, and they start by asking you what your name is once more.

#5 An eager but unskilled novice An overview

It is likely that this supervisor is still quite early on in their own professional journey. It’s possible that they don’t have many former or current PhD students, but despite this fact, it’s likely that they have a strong memory of their own PhD experience. This indicates that they will be reasonable in their expectations of you, talk at length about your ideas, and provide input while making it clear that the project is ultimately your responsibility. They will be kind and easy to communicate with, and they are excited to have you join the team.

Pros

Younger researchers have the advantage of being more inclined to be honest with you, which is a positive trait. They will be able to explain what they know pretty well, understand where you are coming from, and assist you through the difficult times associated with the PhD. They will most likely also have more time to sit down with you and go through your project, discussing any problems that may arise and attempting to find solutions.

Cons

Because to this individual’s lack of experience, it is possible that they will not always be particularly effective (while this is not necessarily the case, it is something to keep in mind). For instance, if you go to them with an issue and ask them to solve it, it may take them some time because they may need to get advice from a more experienced person first. In addition to this, it is possible that they are not as well known in their profession and do not have as many connections. This is not necessarily the end of the world, but it could potentially limit the options that they can provide you during or after you have completed your degree.

The bare essentials

There are creatures of every form and size in the academic universe; nevertheless, we have only addressed a select handful of them here. Your imagination may be filled with images of starships bound for glory and escape pods drifting aimlessly across space. The escape pods may hold the discarded remnants of rejected academic papers and possibly failed PhD candidates. But does the choice of your mentor really have that much of an impact on your future? Almost certainly not.

Although it is possible that a significant portion of your PhD experience may be determined by the manner in which you are supervised, it is important to keep in mind that your own efforts and tenacity will be the primary factor in determining how successful you are academically. Choose carefully, and don’t lose sight of the fact that, in the end, your PhD will be exactly what YOU make of it.