If you commented PHD or PhD on my post, this is the checklist I promised!
This guide is written for students applying to a UK PhD Studentship with a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA). These roles are slightly different from standard PhD routes because you’re expected to be a strong researcher and someone who can support teaching, marking, and student learning. Use the checklist below to strengthen your research proposal, improve your supervisor fit, and optimise your CV for a GTA-style PhD.
Author: Dr Niaz Chowdhury (LinkedIn)
Designation: Lecturer (Computer Science)
Affiliation: Ulster University (Birmingham), UK
1) Your PhD proposal: Structure that selection panels expect
For a GTA PhD application, your proposal must look “research-ready”. It should be clear, specific, and feasible.
A strong proposal usually contains:
1. Working title
Make it specific. Avoid broad titles like “AI in Education” or “Cybersecurity in the UK”. Panels prefer titles that signal the exact problem you will study.
2. Background and problem statement
Explain the context and identify a clear gap. Show what is missing in current research and why it matters.
3. Aim and objectives
State one aim and 2–4 objectives. Objectives should be “doable” actions (e.g., design, develop, evaluate, compare).
4. Research questions
Include 1–3 research questions. Keep them precise and measurable.
5. Methodology
This is where many applicants lose marks. A good methodology explains:
- what data you will use (or generate)
- what approach you will take (experiment, modelling, qualitative, mixed methods, simulation, etc.)
- what tools you will use (e.g., Python, SQL, relevant frameworks)
- how you will evaluate your results (metrics, baseline comparisons, validation, reliability checks)
6. Expected contribution
Clarify what will be “new” after your PhD. It could be a new method, dataset, model, framework, or evaluation insight.
7. Feasibility
Explain why your plan can be completed within 3–4 years. Panels want to see a realistic scope.
8. Ethics and data considerations
Briefly mention privacy, consent, fairness, bias, or security — especially if you work with people, sensitive data, or real systems.
9. Mini timeline
Add a simple year-by-year plan. A basic structure works well:
- Year 1: literature review, define method, pilot work
- Year 2: data collection + first implementation + initial evaluation
- Year 3: improved model/system + deeper evaluation + writing
- Year 4: final experiments, thesis completion, publications
10. References
Include 6–12 credible, recent references to show that you’ve read relevant research.
Important tip
Try to align your topic with the strengths of the department (for example: ML/NLP/LLMs, software engineering, databases/graph DB, security/cryptography, AI in finance, algorithms/probability). If the department lists areas of interest, use those as your guide — but still keep your topic genuinely yours.
2) Supervisor fit: how to choose the right match (and approach them properly)
A common mistake is applying with a generic proposal that doesn’t match any supervisor’s research direction.
What “good supervisor fit” looks like
- You can identify 2–3 academics whose research clearly overlaps with your topic.
- Your proposal naturally fits their expertise, not just the department name.
- You can explain why their work is relevant to your research direction.
How to message a potential supervisor (simple and effective)
Your email/message should include:
- 2–3 lines about your background and research area
- a one-paragraph proposal summary
- your method idea (even if early stage)
- why you are contacting them specifically (their work, projects, papers)
- attachments: CV + 1–2 page proposal (or a 300–500 word concept note)
A practical tip
The strongest signals are alignment + feasibility. Avoid being vague. Even if your idea is early, show that you have a workable plan.
3) Your CV: what to highlight for a GTA-style PhD
A GTA PhD is not just about research potential. It also values evidence that you can support teaching responsibilities.
A) Research readiness (show your PhD potential)
Include:
- your dissertation or major project title, tools, method, and outcome
- any publications, posters, reports, or preprints (if available)
- relevant modules (ML, statistics, databases, security, algorithms, etc.)
- GitHub or portfolio links (only if strong and relevant)
B) Technical capability (show proof, not claims)
If the advert mentions skills like Python or SQL, don’t just list them. Show evidence:
- projects you built
- datasets you worked with
- models you trained or evaluated
- systems you designed
- dashboards, scripts, pipelines, or analyses you implemented
C) Teaching/mentoring potential (this matters a lot)
Even small experiences can be valuable:
- tutoring, mentoring, lab support, peer teaching
- workshops delivered
- volunteering to support learners
- any role where you explained concepts and helped others learn
D) Professional edge (your reliability and maturity)
GTA roles require strong time management. Highlight:
- teamwork and communication
- balancing responsibilities
- leadership roles (if genuine)
- admin or coordination experience
4) A crucial reminder: many GTA PhD opportunities require two applications
For these combined opportunities, you usually need to submit both:
- Your PhD application (including research proposal), and
- Your job application for the Graduate Teaching Assistant post.
If you only do one of these, you may not be considered for the combined pathway.
Good luck
I wish you the very best with your application. Start early, keep your proposal focused, and make sure your documents clearly show both your research potential and your teaching readiness. If you prepare well and apply strategically, you’ll significantly improve your chances of success.
