A PhD advisor is a person who mentors a doctoral candidate. The advisor assists the student in writing a thesis, developing a research plan, applying for grants, and passing qualifying exams and other hurdles that arise during the doctoral program. The advisor is not a tutor; she offers advice and support without making up for a student’s lack of knowledge or experience. PhD students select their own advisors, and there are several factors to consider when making this decision.
A typical PhD advisor is a professor at the university where the student is enrolled. Many students seek out advisors who are actively conducting research and may be able to participate in their advisors’ research as part of their theses. Professors must limit the number of students they take on as advisees, so competition for advising slots can be fierce if the faculty member is well-known or popular among students.
Students are expected to meet with their PhD advisor on a regular basis, bringing evidence of their progress to the meetings so that the advisor can ensure that the student is staying on track. Advisors can make suggestions for coursework and reading that students might find useful, as well as assist students in identifying grants for which they may be eligible. Students usually have a good idea of what they want to do when they meet with a PhD advisor, but the advisor can help narrow the focus of the research and give advice on how to properly format and submit a PhD thesis, as well as how to handle a thesis defense.
PhD advisors typically work in a similar field to the students they supervise and have some experience in the research the student is conducting. For example, a history graduate student interested in studying the use of press gangs in the 1800s would not likely collaborate with someone who specializes in Ancient Chinese history. Students can benefit from the PhD advisor’s connections, which include access to archives, laboratory facilities, and other academics with whom the advisor has a working relationship.
When searching for a PhD advisor, students look for professors who are actively conducting research in a field that interests them. Students usually look for advisors who have a good reputation at the university, and they may meet with several faculty members to discuss the possibility of working with them. This allows students to see if they get along with a potential advisor, as well as advisors and students to interact and see if the student’s research plans align with the advisor’s expertise and interests.