Three presentation slide decks, three research proposals, one time-saving guide.

In this article you’ll get exclusive access to three sport science and nutrition PhD application research proposals, presentation slide decks, and wisdom from individuals who have been appointed.

Framing

Getting a PhD is not easy, I would like you to bear that in mind whilst you are applying.

Go easy on yourself - this is a difficult task.

It is normal to not get appointed on your first, second, or third application.

In fact, some take 10 different applications prior to securing a PhD.

The first steps of applying for a PhD involve writing a research proposal and filling out some forms on the university’s website.

Research Proposal Examples (750-1500 words)

Following this, you must write a research proposal.

This is usually a 750-1500 word written piece with references explaining how you will carry out the PhD, what you currently know, and what research questions you want to answer.

This is your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the project.

Unless your application is spontaneous, a rough project outline will already be in existence.

As such, this is your opportunity to highlight areas they potentially haven’t explored.

A 1500 word research proposal is not a quick task, especially when you are working full time.

This makes it easier for people who have the time to spare to write better applications.

So please save some time and view PhD student Alfie Gordon’s research proposal.

Each application received invitation to interview.

Proposal 1
Proposal 2
‍Proposal 3

Interview Tasks:

The interview tasks were the same for each application.

I believe this is pretty standard, however some institutions may not require a presentation.

A standard format is a 10 minute presentation followed by 30-40 minutes of questions about the project.

Here are the emails I received explaining the task:

The interview panel

The interview panel usually contains your prospective supervisors and one external person from the university to supervise the proceedings.

The externally funded projects may also include company representatives.

Preparing for the interview

Here are my top tips to prepare for the interview:

• Understand the wider research group you are applying for. What grants have they won, what projects are they currently undertaking, what are their research interests - how can you fit into this. Show some enthusiasm.
• Check the interview panels social media. Look at their twitter profile, check their likes, see if you can see any interesting papers they have been reading. Don’t make this too obvious. The likes on their profile are usually full of nuggets that you can build into your application.
• Understand the topic - sounds silly, but having a good understanding of the topic is the most important thing.
• Learn a few papers off by heart. A common question is usually - “what papers have you read that are closely linked to your proposed study”
• Mindset - they have chose you for interview, they like a lot about you. They are looking for how you are going to bring the topic to life - a topic that they are incredibly passionate about - reciprocate this.
• Check out what’s been going on at the university, what facilities do they have.
• What is happening in the wider PhD community at the institution?
• Check each interviewers latest research.

Mindset

Simple advice:

“Don’t treat the interviewers as enemies”

They want you to do well.

Potential Interview Questions

• What do you know about the institution
• What do you know about the wider research group
• Why this institution? (Topic first, then the location is just a bonus usually).
• Which paper is the closest related/fundamental paper that your project is based off
• A mechanistic question
• What do you want to do after the PhD
• Why do you want to do a PhD
• Do you know what a PhD entails
• Why this project
• Why this institution over all the others
• Tell me about a time when you solved a problem
• Tell me about a time where you resolved a conflict
• What experience makes you a good PhD candidate
• Tell us about yourself
• What are your strengths and weaknesses
• How would you describe yourself in three words
• Where do you see the field going in 5-10 years (your academic field)
• How would your friends describe you in three words

Example presentation

We highly recommend making your presentations in Canva or using an Envato elements PPT tempalte.

It’s worth the fee.

Presentation 1: Bioactive Supplementation ⬇️

View Presentation 1

Note from Alfie: This presentation is too text heavy. It still did the job because I was unlucky to miss out on this one, and the person who interviewed me emailed over other PhD opportunities at other institutions for me to apply for in her spare time - which is very kind and rare.

Presentation 2: Topical Sodium Bicarbonate ⬇️

View Presentation 2

Note from Alfie: I came second in this one and was re-interviewed against the winning candidate. Again, presentation did the job.

Presentation 3: Seasonal utilisation of nitric oxide: Implications for vascular health ⬇️

View Presentation 3

Note from Alfie: I got this one.

Ask Questions At The End

Steal these:

1. What is the PhD community like at X institution
2. What is your working style
3. What makes a good PhD student to you
4. Will there be demonstrating opportunities
5. What support will I receive, are you hands on?

You Got Your PhD! What Next?

1. Get comfortable using is a reference manager.

We recommend using Zotero.

It’s open source and free to use, which means you can take it to any university you work at in the future.

You are not restricted by whatever reference manager your institution uses.

The chrome extension for Zotero is brilliant. One click and it will retrieve the reference and PDF and store it in your manager.

It also syncs to the cloud, so you can access Zotero via your web browser as well.

1. Watch this course by Ali Abdaal on how to study properly.
2. Make an effort to learn R studio, so that you can conduct more in-depth statistical analysis.

R studio is a good bet if you want to future-proof yourself as an academic.

Other fields are way ahead in terms of students proficiency with R.

It’s free to use and more powerful than SPSS, which is what you’ve probably used at undergraduate.

Being proficient in R is a skill that not many people in the sport science and nutrition field possess, so it’s one (albeit very difficult) skill you can develop to stand out.

Dealing With Rejection

There’s not a great deal that can help make you feel better in this scenario.

Many have been there as well.

Lots of positions are earmarked for certain students, and if you don’t already know the lecturer your chances are slim.

Unfortunately, this is completely out of you control, and the only thing you can do in this scenario is just keep going.

Being invited to interview for a PhD is an honour and achievement in itself. You will get one. Life unfortunately doesn’t always go the way you perhaps hope it will.

I hope you found this useful!

This is a slightly different article to the business focused ones.

Many of the best sport science and nutrition businesses are founded by those holding a PhD.

However, this is written for people who don’t have family members, or close personal friends in academia, who might not get the help that some applicants get.

It is a privilege to have the large amounts of spare time required to apply for these positions.

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By Alfie Gordon