This time Scientific Bangladesh has talked with PhD student Safirun Pervin. Her insights might be
helpful for other current and future PhD students. Here is what she says.
1. Scientific Bangladesh: Briefly introduce our readers with yourself, your PhD topic, and University
Safirun Pervin: I am Safirun Pervin, doing a PhD in soil microbiology and plant biotechnology in the University of Sheffield
2.Scientific Bangladesh: How did you choose your i) Research/PhD topic and ii) Institute?
Safirun Pervin: I have always interest in soil microbiology and plant science therefore I looked for the research scope in this field. I selected the University of Sheffield as it is one of the world’s top 100 universities and my research area ranked top ten in UK research fields.
3.Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you have gone for PhD? In other words, why you are doing PhD?
Safirun Pervin: As I always wanted to be in the academic field, therefore chose to do a PhD in this field.
4.Scientific Bangladesh: Tell us about your pathway to manage scholarship or funding for PhD
Safirun Pervin: It was really very difficult to get funding from UK universities. I was lucky enough and had a strong application which helped me to get UK funding. In the 2017 session, a total of 10 international candidates got the University of Sheffield Faculty funding from all over the world and I was one of them.
5.Scientific Bangladesh: How will you get PhD, by submitting a thesis or publishing a certain no of publications (journal articles)?
Safirun Pervin: Submitting thesis and also publications.
6.Scientific Bangladesh: Did you deliberately choose your Supervisor? What were your criteria for choosing PhD supervisor?
Safirun Pervin: University selected my supervisor based on my application
7.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your key to maintain a good relationship with your supervisor?
Safirun Pervin: Be honest with the supervisors and follow their instructions.
8.Scientific Bangladesh: What principle you follow to maintain good relationships with your labmates?
Safirun Pervin: Be helpful and sharing.
9.Scientific Bangladesh: Doing PhD is a stressful job? How do you manage or release stress?
Safirun Pervin: I go for outing, meet friends, and travel to release my stress.
10.Scientific Bangladesh: How many days in a week you go to the lab? Why?
Safirun Pervin: It varies from person to person. In my case I have to go to the lab every weekday from 8 am-8 pm or 9 am-5 pm depending on the nature of the lab work. Sometimes also need to work over the weekends.