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Find a PhD supervisor

Enlisting the support of a PhD supervisor is an important part of your research journey. Discover how to choose the right mentor for your work and how to make initial contact.

Student with lecturer in workshop

Choosing a supervisor

A PhD supervisor plays a vital part in your research. They will be your mentor and help to guide your research, providing feedback and advice. They will also help to ensure your project progresses on time and complies with University policies.

If you’re proposing your own PhD project, you’ll need to find a supervisor with expertise in your area, which you can identify by:

  • searching publications and articles relevant to your field for the most cited researchers
  • looking for published researchers in your field with a similar methodology to your own
  • reading recently submitted PhD dissertations in your area and noting the supervisors
  • approaching lecturers in relevant departments and asking for recommendations.

When to contact potential supervisors

Our advertised projects will include the supervisors covering the research, but if you are submitting your own proposal, you'll need to identify a suitable supervisor.

In either case, we recommend discussing your ideas with the supervisory team before submitting your application. Find out on this page what your PhD supervisor will do and how to make initial contact.

How to contact potential supervisors

The best way to make initial contact with a potential supervisor is by email. Academics are often very busy, so it is important that your message is tailored, clear and concise. You should:

  • include a clear subject line summarising your intent
  • explain your interest in the project under the academic’s supervision
  • show your familiarity with the academic’s work
  • outline details of funding / location and study mode if relevant.

Research your options

At NTU, you can apply for an advertised PhD project, where the supervisory team has already been identified. We also accept proposals for your own PhD project. For the best chance of success, your proposal should align with our research centres.

Browse our centres and the research staff listed within them to identify a potential supervisor, or search our staff directory below.

PhD opportunitiesResearch Centres Staff directory

Director of Doctoral Programmes

Each of our Academic Schools have a Director of Doctoral Programmes (DDP), responsible for the leadership, development and management of research degrees within that subject area. Please contact the relevant DDP with any general research queries, or for information about At-distance PhD opportunities.

Richard Yarnell

Associate Professor

School of Animal Rural & Environmental Sciences

Ana Souto

Postgraduate Research Tutor

School of Architecture Design and the Built Environment

Kevin Hunt

Senior Lecturer

Nottingham School of Art & Design

Gill Allwood

Professor

School of Arts & Humanities

Chunping Liu

Senior Lecturer

Nottingham Business School

Cleveland Barnett

Associate Professor

School of Science & Technology

Verity Aiken

Senior Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

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PhD opportunities

Discover our PhD opportunities that drive innovation and delivers real-world impact. Browse our PhD projects, or submit your own proposal.

How to write a research proposal

Your research proposal is the most important part of your doctoral application. Get our advice on how to write yours.

How to apply for a PhD

Everything you need to know about applying to study at the NTU Doctoral School.