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—ranging from undergraduate to postdoctoral positions—and the type of funding, such as self-funded, fully 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, while other types of positions may only require supervisor engagement after your application has been submitted. 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’re applying as a self-funded student, you don’t need to find a supervisor.
Applying for Fully-Funded Positions?
Depending on the funding type (RA or TA) you’re pursuing, 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’ll be able to decide which universities to finally apply to (this is fully explained in step 7: choose your 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 both 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 a mandatory requirement 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 over 95% of 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 are planning 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 need to include a supervisor as a host in your grant or fellowship application, and you must 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.
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