Postgraduate Research Students
Support for PhD students
PhD study is undertaken within the context of a support system, aimed at providing various points of contact for all students. Support is provided at Departmental level, Faculty level (all students in our Department are part of the Faculty of Science), and Graduate School level. The Graduate School is the central University body which co-ordinates research training and provides support for all postgraduate research students.
Key Contacts
Key student contacts within our Department usually include
- PhD Supervisor
- The member of the academic staff who is responsible for
the student's academic guidance and research direction.
This is the most important contact for a PhD student, and they would normally meet regularly throughout the full course of study. - Second Supervisor
- Another member of the academic staff with some responsiblity
for academic and research guidance.
The precise level of involvement will depend on the research project concerned,
ranging from minimal contact through to an equal weighting with the main supervisor.
The second supervisor is always available for consultation and advice if required. - Advisor
- A member of the academic staff who monitors progress and
reviews the end-of-year reports.
- Director of Postgraduate Research - (Dr Clare Dixon)
- Organises training and progress review for PhD students;
Handles general enquiries relating to PhD study. - PhD Admissions tutor - (Dr. Paul Goldberg)
- In charge of the admissions process;
Handles enquiries from prospective PhD students. - Postgraduate secretary - (Helen Bradley)
- Handles pretty much everything....
- Departmental Administrator - (Thelma Williams)
- Coodinates travel and other funding isses
- Demonstrator Coordinator - (Dr. Irina Biktasheva)
- Coordinates the provision of teaching
assistants for taught modules.
Organises training on teaching for PhD students - Postgraduate Staff-Student Liaison Committee
- A forum to raise and discuss issues affecting PhD and MSc students.
PhD Representative: Ross McFarlane
Full details on the responsibilities associated with most of the academic roles described in this section can be found in the Graduate School Postgraduate handbook.
Information
Teaching and Demonstrating
Most Undergraduate first- and second-year modules (and some third-year and Masters modules) make use of postgraduate teaching assistants ("demonstrators"). Demonstrators may assist module lecturers in a variety of ways; the most common tasks are:
- being in charge of timetabled Practical sessions
- marking set assignments, and
- presenting tutorial classes.
Responsibility for the conduct and delivery of a module lies entirely with the module lecturer. This includes the responsibility to ensure that any demonstrators employed on the module are:
- fully briefed on and prepared for the tasks they are required to carry out, and
- given any teaching material that will help them carry out their tasks in good time.
Postgraduate students are very warmly invited to participate to the Department's teaching by assisting lab classes and giving a helping hand with assessments. This gives the postgrads some useful job experience (not to mention financial remuneration!) and provides an immense help with teaching in the Department.
University policy on Postgraduate students/research staff undertaking teaching duties |
Travel Funding Opportunities
The Department offers limited support to fund events such as the attendance of a student to a conference or workshop. Details on the current policy can be obtained by the Departmental Director of Postgraduate Research or the Departmental Administrator.
The Graduate School has a small budget to fund PhD students when attending workshops, conferences, etc.. The maximum bursary is 100 pounds for UK travel, or 200 pounds for overseas travel. The procedure for application is detailed in the link below:
Financial Support for Research Student Travel |
Further Information
Few minor but non-negligible issues related to your safety in our Department |
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Guide to EPSRC directly-funded Postgraduate training (PDF) |
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University of Liverpool Library Services |
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Personal Development Planning system (including Personal Development Record - PDR) |