The Different Types of PhD Supervisor – How to Choose Your Yoda Part I

If you are considering getting a doctorate, you may be imagining your future advisor to be some type of enigmatic being: a sage Jedi master who has the entire universe in the palm of their hand, who lives on a remote mountain, and who presumably glows in the dark as well. If you do them a favour, they will bestow upon you enormous gifts; nevertheless, if you provoke them in any way, they will use their lightsaber, which is powered by the souls of former pupils, to cut your thesis draught.

OK, so most PhD advisors aren't luminous (unless they've been in the lab for a bit too long), they don't carry lightsabers, and (ideally) all of their former students have moved on to successful postdocs or other positions.

Nevertheless, it's normal to feel a little anxious about finding a mentor for the project you're working on. After all, the relationship between a PhD student and their advisor is one of the most crucial facets of the programme, not to mention one of the few things of its kind. In point of fact, selecting the people with whom you will collaborate has the potential to shape the entirety of your experience conducting research (no pressure).

However, the most essential thing to keep in mind is that this is, at least to some extent, a choice that you have made. There is a diverse range of PhD supervisors available, each of which has their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let's have a look at a few of them right now...

#1 The ruthless dictator

Overview

This manager is a perfect example of a textbook supervisor. They will tell you exactly what they anticipate from you, the plan for the project, the expertise that is necessary, and the research goals that are desirable from the very beginning, which will impress you (and maybe terrify you). They won't waste your time with foolishness, they'll get the job done, and they'll be a productive and focused resource for your research career.

Pros

In many situations, this is a fantastic option for a supervisory role. They will be well aware of your current circumstance and will maintain consistent communication with you to discuss the project. Importantly, they won't allow slacking or making excuses, which will help you keep on top of your work because you won't be able to get away with it.

Cons

When you are trying to finish your master's degree in a short amount of time, being demanding and strict could be a good idea. However, you should ask yourself if spending the next three to four years having someone crack the whip is really something you enjoy. The purpose of supervision is to facilitate communication with an experienced researcher who can monitor your development, instruct you, and inspire you to achieve success. However, maintaining a healthy balance in your life is essential, and you should be on the lookout for early warning signals that you are being pressured to place an emphasis on outcomes at the expense of your health (despite popular belief, "PhD" does not stand for "Paduan Managing Difficulties").

#2 The brilliant individual who is unable of using the word "student"

Overview

When you see this supervisor for the first time, they are likely going to impress you with the breadth of their expertise and the arsenal of brilliant phrases in their vocabulary. This particular species is distinguished by their friendliness, high degree of expertise, intense curiosity, and contagious zeal for the topic that they study.

Pros

There is no shadow of a doubt that this supervisor is completely knowledgeable on the subject at hand. Mention a paper, would you? They are able to recite it, provide commentary on the material, and most likely offer some corrections. Could it be...? They are able to forecast the outcome, as well as any potential dangers and the subsequent experiment. They will be a true Yoda figure and a rock star in their profession; someone you can be proud to call your mentor. They will, as well, if you include them on your CV.

Cons

What's the issue? It's possible that this supervisor is too consumed with the discoveries of the cosmos to learn how to communicate effectively with young researchers (or, for that matter, with people). It's possible that the first few meetings (or possibly all of them) will consist of him chatting quickly in gibberish, and then all of a sudden, "hey presto!" you'll understand what he means, right? Working with such a supervisor could develop into a game of attempting to catch up and comprehend their recommendations, so if you don't thrive in that kind of setting, be wary of the possibility that you will be put in that position! They could also be the kind of people that want to test every conceivable hypothesis and carry out all of the tests, regardless of whether or not doing so is feasible.