Find a Supervisor – A Comprehensive Guide 2025

Depending on the type of position you are applying for, you may need to find a supervisor either before or after submitting your formal application. The requirements can vary based on the degree level (undergraduate to postdoctoral positions) and the type of funding, such as self-funded, fully RA-funded, or TA-funded positions. For example, research-based master’s and PhD in the USA typically require you to find a supervisor beforehand, especially for RA-funded roles. In contrast, other positions may only require supervisor engagement after submitting your application. Understanding these differences is key to navigating the application process smoothly and efficiently.

For Undergraduate and Course-Based Master’s Applicants

Undergraduate and course-based master’s applicants typically don’t need to find a supervisor for their application process. These programs often have predetermined supervisors or a system for assigning supervisors to students.

For Research-Based Master’s and PhD Applicants

Research-based master’s and PhD applicants can apply for various positions, including self-funded options, programs with teaching assistant (TA) or research assistantship (RA) funding, and others. Depending on your chosen pathway, it may be necessary to find a supervisor.

Applying for Self-Funded Positions?

If you are applying for a self-funded master’s or self-funding a PhD, you don’t need to find a supervisor.

Applying for Fully-Funded Positions?

Depending on the funding type (RA or TA) you are seeking, it might be necessary to find a supervisor at a university. Note that RA funding is known by different terms in various countries; for example, it’s called PhD RA funding in the USA and Canada, PhD scholarship in Australia and Finland, and PhD studentship in the UK. We strongly recommend focusing on universities where our AI predicts an a-index of at least 60% for securing fully funded positions. Let’s explore different scenarios:

Applying for “research project-based positions” with RA funding?

These types of RA-funded positions are usually specific to European universities that offer RA funding through research project positions for both master’s and PhD levels. These RA funding opportunities are called different names in various European countries; for example, for a PhD, they are referred to as PhD studentships in the UK and PhD scholarships in Finland.

Unlike program applications, each research project often has its application form, or in some cases, you may simply need to email your application package directly to the hiring supervisor without completing any online forms. These forms are generally shorter and easier to complete than those required for program applications. Please visit the PhD positions page for research project PhD opportunities in Europe.

Applying for “program-based positions” with TA funding? 

If our AI suggests universities where you have at least a 60% chance of securing fully funded positions and you possess high English test scores, especially in the total and speaking sections, consider applying directly to departments offering TA funding instead of contacting supervisors (the source of RA funding) at American and Canadian universities. As a general guideline, a high IELTS Academic test score is considered to be at least 7, with a minimum of 7.5 in the speaking section. (Note: For a comparison of IELTS to other English language tests, explore TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic). If these criteria apply to you, you may skip step 5: contact supervisors.

Applying for “program-based positions” with RA funding?

You can apply for positions with RA funding through departmental application forms for programs in the USA, Australia, and Canada. It’s common practice among applicants to find a supervisor in this process to find out if they have available positions in their research group. After contacting supervisors and receiving feedback, you can decide which universities to finally apply to (this is fully explained in step 7: choose target universities.

Typically, students with a strong publication record (e.g., research papers, review articles, books, etc.) follow this path for their university application process. This is especially true if they don’t have a high enough English test score for TA funding, as they hope their strong publication track record can secure RA funding. If their publication record and English proficiency are strong, they have a higher chance of securing either TA or RA funding.

Program-Based Master’s and PhD Positions in the USA and Canada

Some universities in the USA and Canada provide specific guidelines about this step. For instance, the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering at the University of Alberta explicitly states that you do NOT need to secure or find a supervisor before submitting your application (see the screenshot below). Therefore, contacting supervisors can vary depending on university and departmental policies. You may need to:

• Find a supervisor before applying to programs.
• Find a supervisor after applying to programs.
• Not contact supervisors at all.

As demonstrated in the screenshot below, a professor at Drexel University advised an applicant that contacting supervisors before formal application submission is unnecessary. While some applicants may not secure RA or TA funding immediately after the admissions committee reviews their application, receiving an admission offer (without funding) from the applied department allows you to seek TA positions advertised on the department’s website or pursue RA funding by contacting supervisors. Please note that this policy may vary across universities and departments.

Program-Based PhD Positions in Australia

Please note that in 95% of cases, contacting supervisors is mandatory for applying to PhD programs at Australian universities. Failure to find a supervisor will prevent you from submitting your PhD application. Therefore, be sure to approach supervisors through step 5: contact supervisors when applying to PhD programs in Australia.

Program-Based PhD Positions in Europe

While most PhD positions in Europe are pre-defined research projects posted by universities, PhD programs still exist. Some research centers and institutes in Europe offer doctoral and PhD programs. For example, the German Center Research Center (DKFZ) provides numerous vacancies annually for their PhD program focused on cancer research. The Life Science Zurich Graduate School offers several PhD programs in biology. For these types of programs, contacting supervisors is typically not necessary. You can directly apply for available positions without contacting supervisors.

For Postdoc Applicants

Contact Supervisors if They are Hiring

Although postdoc positions are classified as academic job positions rather than academic degrees, and you are typically required to apply through the official application forms on universities’ websites, it’s still highly recommended to reach out to potential supervisors. Establishing a connection with them can significantly enhance your chances, particularly if you’ve previously interacted with them at scientific events like conferences, congresses, or symposiums. Building a professional relationship early on can provide valuable insights into their research projects and open up opportunities for collaboration, making your application stand out from other candidates.

Find a Supervisor for Your Grant/Fellowship Application

Another scenario is if you plan to apply for postdoctoral grants and fellowships, such as the Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships in Europe, the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships in Canada, or the Melbourne Postdoctoral Fellowships in Australia. In this case, you must include a postdoc supervisor as a host in your grant or fellowship application and obtain their permission. Therefore, it is essential to contact potential supervisors to find out who is willing to host you at their university or institution.

How to Find Research Supervisors

How to find research supervisors is the main question for most master’s, PhD, and postdoc applicants. Because research supervisors are the core component of their academic journey. Some traditional ways include using the Web of Science, LinkedIn, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and university websites. Applyindex aims to remove the traditional pathways for applicants when they are trying to find a supervisor. If anyone is interested, ChatGPT is another new option to look for supervisors.

How to find research supervisors on Applyindex

Applyindex is a recent entrant in higher education, alongside established platforms like LinkedIn, Google Scholar, FindaPhD, ResearchGate, and others. However, what sets us apart is our commitment to filling the voids left by existing platforms. Their primary objective is to connect applicants with the most suitable research supervisors. Our focus is facilitating the matching process between master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral candidates from all corners of the globe and compatible research supervisors. We strive to make this connection easier, faster, and more efficient, moving away from the conventional, tiring, and tedious methods currently in place. For comprehensive instructions, please visit the step 5: contact supervisors.  

 

How to find research supervisors using ChatGPT

ChatGPT is an AI chatbot that was launched in November 2022. Crafting effective prompts is crucial when interacting with ChatGPT to obtain optimal responses. The choice of prompts can lead to diverse answers, which has sparked interest among professionals in the field, emphasizing the significance of prompt engineering. ChatGPT can serve as a valuable resource for individuals seeking assistance finding research supervisors. Here is a guide on how to utilize ChatGPT to conduct a step-by-step search for academic supervisors specializing in polymer chemistry in the USA:

1. Begin by visiting the official website of OpenAI at https://chat.openai.com/ and create an account to access the platform.

2. Once logged in, you can initiate a conversation with ChatGPT by composing a prompt.

3. For instance, you can use the following prompt as an example: “Please give me a list of 5 polymer chemistry supervisors in the USA.”

4. ChatGPT will respond as follows:

Certainly! Here is a list of polymer chemistry supervisors in the United States. These supervisors have expertise in polymer chemistry. Please note that availability and research focus may vary over time. It’s recommended to verify the current status and research interests of supervisors by visiting their respective university websites or contacting the departments directly.

1. Professor Krzysztof Matyjaszewski – Carnegie Mellon University
2. Professor Jeremiah A. Johnson – Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Professor Craig J. Hawker – University of California, Santa Barbara
4. Professor Heather D. Maynard – University of California, Los Angeles
5. etc.

5. Next, utilize a search engine to copy and paste the identified supervisors’ names and institutional affiliations to find their contact details, including email addresses.

6. Compile a comprehensive list of supervisors, including their contact information, for future communication and contact purposes.

 

How to find research supervisors using traditional ways 

1. Find a Supervisor Using “University Websites”

University websites are a valuable resource and database of research faculty members. You can follow a systematic approach to finding suitable research supervisors from a university website. Below is a detailed guide:

1. Begin by visiting the official website of your target university. Conduct a search using the university’s name to easily locate their website.

2. Once on the university’s website, navigate to the department or faculty page that corresponds to your research area. For instance, if you have an interest in computer science, proceed to the Computer Science department page.

3. Look for a faculty or staff section or tab on the department page. This is where you can access information about the professors or supervisors associated with that department.

4. Afterward, explore the faculty or staff page to find a list of professors, along with their academic titles and areas of expertise. Typically, professors are presented with their names, academic designations, and research interests.

5. Pay attention to the research interests or areas of expertise mentioned alongside each professor’s name. This will assist you in identifying supervisors who specialize in your research area or share similar interests.

6. Next, click on the profile or biography of the professors you are interested in. This will provide you with more comprehensive details about their research background, publications, and projects, as well as any additional qualifications or achievements.

7. While perusing the professor’s profile, make note of their contact information, such as their email address or office phone number. These details will be valuable for future communication.

8. Repeat the aforementioned steps for other departments or faculties if you are exploring interdisciplinary research areas or have multiple research interests.

9. Eventually, create a shortlist of supervisors who align with your research interests based on their expertise and research areas.

 

2. Find a Supervisor Using “Web of Science”

The Web of Science is a platform that grants entry to numerous databases containing citation and reference information from scholarly journals, conference proceedings, and other academic documents across various disciplines. Initially created by the Institute for Scientific Information, we will guide you on how to find a supervisor on the Web of Science through the following steps:

1. Visit Web of Science and create an account if needed.

2. Log in and go to the search bar or main search page.

3. Select “Topic” under the “DOCUMENTS” tab.

4. Specify your search query for desired research publications.

5. Refine results using filters like location, institution, research focus, or publication year to find relevant principal investigators (PIs).

6. Next, click “Analyze Results” after getting the search results.

7. Change “Web of Science Categories” to “Authors” to see a ranked list of authors based on publication count.

8. Click an author’s name to view their publications.

9. Access profiles of selected authors and co-authors.

10. Note their contact information from profiles, including email addresses and affiliations.

11. Alternatively, search their names and affiliations online to find contact details, such as email addresses, for reaching out to potential supervisors.

12. Finally, compile a shortlist of compatible supervisors, focusing on PIs at universities or research institutes. (Note: Exclude students or postdocs from the shortlist.)

 

3. How to Find a Research Supervisor Using “LinkedIn”

LinkedIn is a social media platform primarily focusing on professional networks, connections, companies, and academic institutions. To find a supervisor on LinkedIn, you can utilize a systematic approach. Here is a comprehensive guide:

1. Sign in or create a LinkedIn account.

2. Visit the LinkedIn homepage after logging in.

3. Use relevant keywords in the search bar to find your research area or field of interest.

4. Afterward, click on the “People” tab to filter the search for individuals.

5. Refine your search with additional filters like location, industry, connections, and current company/institution.

6. Review profiles of individuals matching your research interests, noting their background, education, experience, and research-related information.

7. Look for indicators such as publications, research projects, or collaborations in your field of interest.

8. Read their LinkedIn profiles for more details on research expertise, publications, and achievements. Note down contact information if available.

9. Finally, connect with potential supervisors on LinkedIn, sending a personalized message expressing your interest.

10. Alternatively, collect contact information and reach out via email or preferred method. Create a shortlist of compatible supervisors for your research goals.

 

4. How to Find a Supervisor Using “Google Scholar”

Google Scholar is a platform provided by Google LLC. To find relevant supervisors through Google Scholar, applicants can follow a step-by-step process. Here is a detailed explanation:

1. Go to the website https://scholar.google.com and enter your research interest(s) in the search bar.

2. The search results will display a list of publications related to your research interest(s).

3. In the list of authors, those with an underline indicate that they have a Google Scholar account. Clicking on their names will allow you to access their profiles.

4. Take note of their names and institutional affiliations. You can then use a search engine to find their contact information, such as email addresses.

5. Create a list of research supervisors and their contact information who share your research objectives and interests. It is important to focus specifically on principal investigators (PIs) affiliated with universities or research institutes, excluding students or postdoctoral researchers.

6. Keep in mind that if you click on a specific research area on a profile, you will be presented with a comprehensive list of researchers worldwide who are working in that particular field.

 

5. Find a Research Supervisor Using “ResearchGate”

ResearchGate is an online platform for scientists, researchers, and academics to share and access scientific publications, collaborate, and showcase their work. It provides a centralized hub for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, allowing users to create profiles, upload publications, and engage in discussions and collaborations. With a user-friendly interface and diverse tools, ResearchGate aims to foster scientific progress and build a global research community. Let’s walk you through how to find research supervisors on ResearchGate:

1. If you don’t have an account, create one by following the registration process.

2. Once logged in, use the search bar or navigate to the main search page.

3. Specify your search query to find research supervisors in your desired academic discipline or field.

4. Explore the search results and review the profiles of potential research supervisors. Pay attention to their expertise, research interests, publication records, and affiliations.

5. Read the abstracts or summaries of a few of their publications to gain insights into their research areas and methodologies. This will help you evaluate if their expertise aligns with your research interests.

6. To obtain the contact details, including email addresses, of the identified supervisors and their institutional affiliations, you can employ a search engine and simply copy and paste their names.

7. Eventually, consider creating a shortlist of supervisors who seem compatible with your research goals and interests.

8. Alternatively, utilize the “Message” feature to send a well-crafted message introducing yourself, expressing your interest in their research, and inquiring about potential research opportunities under their guidance. Personalize each message to demonstrate your knowledge of their work and explain why you believe they would be a suitable research supervisor for you.

 

Pros and Cons – Find a Supervisor

Below is a comprehensive table that compares the advantages and disadvantages of each platform when used to find a supervisor. As you can observe, Applyindex emerges as the superior option among the available pathways.

Table 1. Comparison between different websites and platforms when it comes to “how to find research supervisors”.

Advantages	Applyindex	ChatGPT	University Websites	Web of Science	LinkedIn	Google Scholar	Research Gate
Instant access to supervisors’ contact info.
Access to PIs from all over the world, and not restricted to a single country.
Able to sort the researchers from an intended country.
Access to supervisors from multiple departments/schools working on multi/interdisciplinary fields.
Ability to search for supervisors from multiple research areas simultaneously.
On-platform messaging
Access to the abstract of PIs’ all publications.
Disadvantages	Applyindex	ChatGPT	University Websites	Web of Science	LinkedIn	Google Scholar	Research Gate
Required to create an account to be able to search for faculty members.
Need for copying people’s name and their institutional affiliations into a search engine to find their contact info.
Need for making your own list of supervisors and their contact info.
Possibility of wrongly having students or postdocs in your list.
Need for repeating your search every time you visit the platform.