powerpoint for phd interview

Create moving, zooming presentations that grab attention and keep it.

Appear right alongside your content while presenting to your audience.

Make stunning interactive charts, reports, maps, infographics, and more.

You're about to create your best presentation ever

Phd Interview Presentation Template

PhD Interview Presentation

Transcript: Interview for PhD position at University of Paris Academic Background Academic Background - High School Degree in Mathematics Chounen High School, 2016 - Bachelor Degree in Physics University of Djelfa, 2016-2019 - Master Degree in Astrophysics University of Constantine 1, 2019-2021 Courses Highlights M1 Courses First year of master degree Fundamental astronomy Astronomical data processing Interstellar medium computational physics general relativity Particle physics Courses Highlights M2 Courses Second year of master degree Standard model Astroparticle physics High-Energy Astrophysics Cosmic Rays Nuclear Astrophysics Vision Experience in data analysis Experience in correlation research Experience in scientific writing Experience in Python programming and Basic ML knowledge Why would I fit for this program Research Experience Research DRAFT Paper Algorithms Here are few algorithms used in my previous works correlation finder D'Agostni Fitting ML Algorithms Machine Learning Algorithms Support Vector Machines K-Nearest Neighbors Decision Trees Future Goals To do learn and develop machine learning algorithms for the search of neutrino-gamma correlations and analyze its data. Approach: - benefit from my previous experience -benefit from the AHE group -learn advanced machine/deep learning techniques THANK YOU

Transcript: Interview for PhD position at Utrecht University About Me! I am a Yemeni, lived 20 years in Malaysia. My interest has always revolved around giving back to either society and the planet. I am currently finialisng my Masters thesis at Radboud University, and also interning at a chemical manufaturing company. About Me Academic Background Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance, specialising in risk management and investment, - Asia Pacific University, 2014 - 2018 Pre-Masters in Environment and Society - Radboud University, 2021 - 2022 Master’s degree in Global Environment and Sustainability - Radboud University, 2022 - 2023 Academic Background Professional Background Professional Background Treasury Trainee; 2018 - 2019 skills: Financial Analysis and Risk management Sustainability Intern; 2020 - 2021 skills: Stakeholder Engagement and compliance Student Assitant (Quantitative methods); 2022 - 2023 skills: Literature Review, reporting and Data Analysis CSR & QHSE trainee; 2023 - 2023 skills: Communication and Collaboration, chemical and material science and solution based strategies Research Experience Research Bakgroynd Relevant research Research that are relevant Life cycle assessment on Radboud's greenhouse; 2022 - 2023 Operating bed covers and heat mattresses; 2022 - 2023 Master's Thesis; How are green and blue hydrogen are framed in European Media?; 2022 - 2023 Intenrship report: Map out waste streams and idetitfy opporunties of reuse and recycle; 2023- 2023 Master Thesis An indepth look into my master's thesis How has hydrogen technology been framed in European media between 2018 and 2023? What frames surrounding blue and green hydrogen technology emerged in European media? • Who are the key actors involved in shaping the narrative around blue and green hydrogen technology in media discourse, and how do they form coalitions? • How have broader societal and environmental concerns influence the framing of hydrogen technology, and what factors have contributed to its legitimacy? Why this topic? Motivations - Blue and green hydrogen as emerging technologies with potential to play a role in the transition to a low-carbon future. - Lack of research on how blue and green hydrogen are framed in the media. - Importance of raising public awareness of benefits and challenges of blue and green hydrogen. Theories Theories and Methodologies - Framing Theory by Gamson & Modigliani (1989) - Discourse Coalition by Hajer 2006 -->Technology legitmacy - Qualitative - Media Analysis + Two mode network - Atlas ti Methodologies Result My Candidancy Why I fit for this progam • Research background • Interdisciplinary skills • Methodological expertise • Passion for sustainability • Communication skills • Postdoctoral position • Energy sector • Knowledge exchange • Long term vision Future Goals My future goals

Transcript: Interview for PhD position at Maastricht University Academic Background - BS in Computer Engineering (IT branch) Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, 2013-2017 - MS Degree in Computer Engineering Bilkent University, 2019-2022 Academic Background BS Courses Highlights Artificial Intelligence Decision Support and Expert Systems Database Systems Discrete Mathematics BS Courses MS Courses Highlights MS Courses Machine Learning Deep Learning Computer Vision Computational Geometry Parallel Computing Research Experience Research Applying Information Retrieval Paradigms in NL to SQL Translation Conditional text generation for query recommendation Explaining multi-class classification results TranSQLate MS Thesis improve the accuracy by 16.5% Learning with additional feratures Transformers DRAFT Paper Data Scientist 1001Epochs Work Experience Used LLMs to paraphrase Question-Answering model using Langchain Similarity search Vision Experience in data analysis Experience in correlation research Experience in scientific writing Experience in Python programming and Basic ML knowledge Why would I fit for this program Trustworthy Explainiability, Transparency, Traceability Trustworthy Conversational AI Scale Blending skills personality, knowledge, empathy Generation strategies beam search, next token sampling, and n-gram blocking Conversational AI Future Goals To do learn and develop machine learning algorithms for improving the quality of chatbots and Conversational AI Approach: - benefit from my previous experience -benefit from the great research envirnment at UM -learn advanced machine/deep learning techniques THANK YOU

Transcript: Interview for PhD position at University of Antwerp Academic Background Academic Background High School Degree Exchange student in Canada for 6 months Master Degree in Physics Federal University of Pernambuco PhD in Physics Federal University of Penambuco Graduation in Physics Federal University of Pernambuco 2017-2019 2013 2020-2022 2022-2026 Courses Highlights Classical Electrodynamics Quantum Theory Statistical Mechanics Quantum Optics Master Courses Courses Highlights PhD Courses Advanced Classical Mechanics Computational Physics Magnetic Properties of Structures Advanced Classical Electrodynamics (ongoing) Teaching experience Experience teaching physics High School Teacher Colégio Fernando Ferrari High School Teacher Colégio Imaculado Coração de Maria Substitute Professor Federal University of Pernambuco Contract Professor Faculty of Igarassu 2021 2021 - 2023 2020 2023 High School Teacher National Commercial Apprenticeship Service - Senac 2023 Prizes Useful skills Checklist Experience using Latex for scientific writing Experience solving Monte Carlo and Molecular Dynamic simulation Data analysis using OriginPro and Gnuplot Experience using OOMMF and Mumax3 for simulation of magnetic reversal and FMR Programming skills using Bash Script, C, Octave and Python Research Research Experience Algorithms Some previous algorithms Monte Carlo Molecular Dynamic Mumax3 + Bash Results a) b) c) d) Draft Paper Dipolar magnetic interactions in 3x3 arrays of rectangular Ni nanopillars Simulations of FMR for study the shape anisotropy in square hollow nanopillars Effects of the packing factor on magnetic anisotropy in a 3x3 array of square hollow Ni nanopillars Simulated FMR to study in plane magnetic anisotropy of 3x3 array constituted by square base nickel nanopillars Future Goals Learn Density Functional Theory 01 Using DFT to find magnetic parameters Calculations using VASP 02 Learn and use VASP in simulations Improve my scientific writing skills 03 04 Objectives Study and enhance my knowledge to publish more scientific papers Contribute with my expertise and proactivity Use my previous experiences to contribute to my fellow's work and keep a good labor environment Questions? ?

PhD interview Presentation

Transcript: Input: Literature review Existing data sets Qualitative & quantitative data collected from case study regions Outputs: Create spatial framework Model various land use scenarios using framework at different spatio-temporal scales Present future scenarios in social ecological political contexts Glastir Woodland Creation Opportunities Phase 1 habitat map Project methodology Broadleaf woodland habitat network - Forest Research Various indexes: % cover, No. of patches, total edge, core area. Distribution of welsh woodland is spatially correlated rather than random and governed by topography, hydrology and land use (agriculture/plantation) Conifer plantations - highly correlated, broadleaf woodlands - less clustered Europe - percentage tree cover Ancient Woodland Inventory (2011) Northern forest Land cover thresholds (Forest Research) Peri-urban forest Afforestation - "50 million new trees" Urban/industrial and post-industrial landscape Shadows path of east-west M62 Biodiversity offsetting - masking woodland losses elsewhere? Only £5.7 million from Government from a projected total of £500 million Centre for Ecology and Hydrology - Land cover map 2015 Where can we see some of these drivers playing out in a UK context? Revive absent ecological processes Increase habitat connectivity. Core zones and buffer zones. Land already committed through NGO partners and public forest. Big change is bringing farmers onboard Precedents set by Pontbren project and MWT Pumlumon project (PES) Work on adapting commons concept Summit to Sea/O’r Mynydd i’r Môr Northern Forest Policy instruments Forest products markets Forest cultures Value of competing land uses Innovation - tech & skill Land abandonment Biodiversity - habitat protection Topography/Hydrology Thank you! Diolch yn fawr! Scale - at what spatio-temporal resolutions? Mapping between models and real world - applying landscape thresholds to random and actual landscapes. Modelling resilient, robust woodlands. "Crowded future landscapes" - competing land uses - woodland emergence within hostile matrix of intensive land use - disruption of open habitat networks. Interplay between spatial analysis and social research. Ethical dimension - respect for present landuse practice and social/cultural importance of this. Place spatial analysis within complex social ecological economic, politcal context. Before Adam Thorogood Summit to Sea Case studies 2016 Wales forest extent, loss & gain Land use change on a large scale involving multiple partners. Passive vs. Active afforestation National Forest Summit to Sea - terrestrial and marine, upland, agricultural Northern Forest - built environment, infrastruture, peri-urban National Forest - 28 years into project, peri-urban, afforestation Borders Forest Trust - Carrifran Wildwood, upland afforestation Knepp Castle - estate, ex-arable/dairy land, process-led wilding Trees for life - Scottish highlands, restore Caledonian forest Mersey Forest - community-led, partnership, peri-urban "Emerging spaces for native woodland growth in Britain's crowded future landscapes." Operationalising future planing PhD Interview presentation Adam Thorogood 10th Aug 2018 Useful Datasets What are the drivers and constraints for increase or decrease in forest cover? Trees for Life Slovenia forest extent, loss & gain Phase 1 habitat survey Ancient Woodland Inventory Glastir woodland creation opportunities Agricultural data sets - IBERS Sentinel 2 satellite data UK forest extent, loss & gain

Transcript: EDUCATION EXPERIENCE SKILLS RESEARCH PLAN [email protected] EXPERIENCE 2014-2020 2014-2020 Faculty Member | Instructor Islamic Azad University of Fariman 2016-2017 2016-2017 Islamic Azad University of Mashhad 2006-2014 2006-2014 Islamic Azad University of Bam EDUCATION Publications Ph.D. B.Sc. M.Sc. M.Sc. Bachelor's Degree Skilled gained: Master's Degree Skills gained: Thesis focus: Ph.D. Thesis: Thesis focus: Ph.D. Degree Publication Master's thesis: Master's Degree (Second M.S.) Course projects: Thesis focus: RESEARCH PLAN MANAGERIAL Language Skills Mother tongue (s) Other language (s) Language 1 Language 2 Language 1 Language 2 Language 3 Other Skills Name your Skills Skills description: Skills proficiency: Skill 1 Skill 2 Skill 3 TECHNICAL Name your Skills Skills description: Skills proficiency: Skill 1 Skill 2 Skill 3 COMPUTER Name your Skills Skills description: ARTISTIC RESEARCH PLAN MANAGERIAL Language Skills Mother tongue (s) Other language (s) Language 1 Language 2 Language 1 Language 2 Language 3 Other Skills Name your Skills Skills description: Skills proficiency: Skill 1 Skill 2 Skill 3 TECHNICAL Name your Skills Skills description: Skills proficiency: Skill 1 Skill 2 Skill 3 COMPUTER Name your Skills Skills description: ARTISTIC

PhD Interview presentation

Transcript: Hossein Dehghan-Niri highly motivated, learner and explore for new ventures EDUCATION EXPERIENCE SKILLS Research [email protected] EDUCATION Bachelor Degree Electrical Engineering(Control major) skills covered: MCUs Programming and Circuit Design Programming (C\Cpp\Python) Electrical machines and industrial electronics Linear\Modern\Digital\industrial... Control Simulation and implemention Controllers Simulation and Modelling Machine learning KNTU University Address of the institution: Tehran City, Iran Master's Degree Electrical Engineering(Electrical Machines And Power Electronics) skills covered: Electrical Machines modeling and control System Identifications Optimal Control Converters Control and Design General Theory of Electrical Machines KNTU University Address of the institution: Tehran City, Iran EXPERIENCE 2016-2018 2017-2018 Undergraduate research assistant ARAS-KN2C Team Advanced Robotics and Automated Systems (ARAS) • Implementing Fuzzy-PID controllers for altitude and position control of quad-rotors • PCB and 3D Body Design of quad-rotor • Control and drive 3-phase BLDC motors • Planning and navigation control of outdoor quad-rotors by GPS • Embedded programming and work with MAV link protocol • Achieve third place in indoor MAVs in the Iranopen 2018 Robotic competition 2018-2020 2018-2020 KNTU Undergraduate Research Assistant Bachelor project: Parameter estimation of industrial winding (Damavand Tokamak) using an Output-only Observer/Kalman filter identification (O3KID) method Simulation Modeling course project: Modeling and Simulation of 3DOF Arm Using Co-simulation of Simscape and 3D model of SOLIDWORKS Freelance project: Sign detection using a classic computer vision method Computer Vision course project: Persian Handwriting Recognition using Convolutional Neural Network and Computer Vision Algorithm 2020-2023 2020-Present KNTU Advanced Electric Machines and Power Electronics Research Lab Graduate Research Assistant AMPE LAB Implementing speed controller of SPMSM with TI DSP C2000 series using SIMULINK Coder Analytical modeling of PMa-SynRM machine Torque ripple modeling using MLP ANN based on FEA data Torque ripple reduction of PMa-SynRM Using Harmonic injection optimized by Genetic Algorithm Torque ripple reduction of PMa-SynRM Using ANN torque ripple model estimator Teaching Assistance of Electrical Engineering Fundamentals Course Author and Co-author of four conference papers and one journal paper Adjacent instructor of electronic and control in robotic course 2020-Present KNTU Advanced Electric Machines and Power Electronics Research Laboratory Graduate Research Assistant Outcomes and Publications: AMPE LAB Publications: Thesis: "Torque ripple minimization of PMSMs using control algorithms" Novelty: "Develop model for output torque of PMSMs include torque ripple " PEDSTC2023: "Extended model of pm-assisted synchronous reluctance motor including torque fluctuation" Novelty: Propose ANN model for torque ripple use little data from FEM. ICEMD2023: "Torque fluctuation minimization in pma-synrm using optimized current harmonic injection by genetic algorithm" Novelty: Use ANN model of torque ripple as feedback for GA optimization. In preparing: "Torque ripple reduction in PMSMs using FOC aided by ANN torque ripple estimator" Novelty: Use ANN model of torque ripple model as estimator. 2021-Present Kavoshcom Asia R&D Group -> IOT Department Electronic enigineer (Part Time) Kavoshcom Work in the IoT area, specializing in dataloggers and car trackers. Develop and maintain MCU firmware. Design, simulate, and fabricate analog and digital circuits. Supervise the manufacturing process. Provide support for customer issues. Enhance my teamwork and analytical skills. SKILLS non-technical skills Soft Skills Native language Second language Persian English TOEFL : 86 Reading: 24 Listening: 24 Writing: 20 Speaking: 18 Other Skills Team-Working and Teaching Electrical Skills: Skills description: Electrical Machines Drive: Modeling, Control, Analysis Control Systems: Linear, Modern, Digital, Optimal Control Power Electronics: Design, Control, Analysis System Identification: Static, Dynamic, Nonlinear Experience in prototype development involving Designing, soldering, 3D printing, assembly, testing, and familiarity with mass production processes, including manufacturing, quality control, and supply chain management. Electrical Software Skills Skills description: COMPUTER Programming Languages: Python, C++, MATLAB for modeling, simulation, and data analysis. Simulation Tools: SIMULINK, LTSpice MCUs: STM32F and Ti C2000 series programming Design: PCB design with Altium Design 2D and 3D design using SOLIDWORKS Version Control: GIT and SVN Machine Learning & AI: familiar with machine learning frameworks such as Tensorflow, Keras, Opencv My Hobbies Hobbies description: Hiking and biking Traveling Movie and Persian Music Entertainments Research Present status of my research progress: Verify my thesis by

Transcript: Origin From southern part of India - Chennai About me Academic background Academic bacground Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering (2015-19) Master's degree in mechanical engineering (2021-23) specialization in high-tech engineering Professional experience Design engineer, madeit innovation foundation (June 2019 - July 21) Professional experience ~ worked for startups - understood their mechanical requirements - supported with design concepts and prototypes ~ Colloborated with early stage entrepreneurs - drafted grant proposals for validating product ideas with research and market study Why would I fit for this program Vision Experience in data analysis Experience in correlation research Experience in scientific writing Experience in Python programming and Basic ML knowledge Research Experience Research DRAFT Paper Algorithms Here are few algorithms used in my previous works correlation finder D'Agostni Fitting ML Algorithms Machine Learning Algorithms Support Vector Machines K-Nearest Neighbors Decision Trees Future Goals To do learn and develop machine learning algorithms for the search of neutrino-gamma correlations and analyze its data. Approach: - benefit from my previous experience -benefit from the AHE group -learn advanced machine/deep learning techniques THANK YOU

Explore our templates for more presentation inspiration

Best Creative Resume Templates to Customize | Prezi

Description: Stand far above the stacks and stacks of flat, boring resumes on any hiring manager’s desk with a Prezi resume template. Just customize this Prezi presentation template to create your very own “Prezume” and impress them with your dynamism, coolness, and originality.

Report - EDU

Description: If you work in education, make your next report visually interesting and easy to navigate. The line-drawn illustrations in this edu report presentation template encourage curiosity and discovery.

Easy Book Presentation Template for Individual Design | Prezi

Description: When you need to clearly spell out your message, this creative Prezi template is the way to go. As with all Prezi education templates and Prezi nonprofit templates, this one is easy to customize to let you zoom in on your ideas or pull back to show the big picture.

World Map - Antique

Description: Impactful presentations need stunning visuals and a meaningful metaphor to show high-level concepts and the smaller details. This customizable presentation template uses a classic world map visual to help you navigate complex information while staying grounded in your presentation’s core message.

Now you can make any subject more engaging and memorable

• The Science
• Conversational Presenting
• For Business
• For Education
• Testimonials
• Presentation Gallery
• Video Gallery
• Design Gallery
• Our Customers
• Company Information
• Prezi Support
• Prezi Classic Support
• Hire an Expert
• Data Visualization
• Infographics

April 13, 2024

April 12, 2024

April 4, 2024

• Latest posts

© 2024 Prezi Inc. Terms

PhD Interviews – The Presentation

Gage millen.

• June 12, 2023
• Career Development

If you have been selected for a PhD final stage interview, the chances are you’ll need to give a short, 5-10 minute presentation for the panel. This will usually either be on a piece of research you’ve done before, or if you have not had a chance to carry out your own research yet, then based on a relevant paper. It may seem intimidating, but by breaking it down you can easily give a presentation that will show the panel why you’ll make a great PhD candidate.

Choosing Your Topic

It is highly recommended that you create a presentation based on your own work, even if writing about a paper is an option. They want to hear about you and how you work, problems you overcame and that you know how to follow a project through. However, if you haven’t got that option, for example many students were unable to gain practical lab experience during COVID, they won’t mark you down for this. Remember, if they have invited you to this point, they know your background and are still happy to take you into the shortlist.

For many students, their previous research experience will be their undergraduate dissertation. Even those applying whilst carrying out a masters degree may find the interview falls too early on in the academic year to be able to use their current work. However, other research may include projects completed during work placement years, or research work from previous employment. No matter how you gained your experience, the most important thing to choose in a topic is how enthusiastic you are about the work. No one is expecting you have made a life changing discovery through your work at this point! But, if you can pick a topic you understand well, and show that you are genuinely excited about research, you can’t go wrong.

Writing Your Presentation

So you’ve chosen your topic, and you’re ready to create your presentation. General advice for this is the same as any PowerPoint presentation, which includes:

• ~1 slide per minute – More or less is okay, but this rule helps you to stick to a good pace when presenting.
• Simple slides – Don’t overload them with text, use simple figures or lists as prompts to talk around instead of reading directly from the slides.
• Well presented figures – Remember to include all labels, axes and concise figure legends!
• Clear structure – Title, background, aims, methods, results, conclusion.

Make sure you make it clear why you carried out your research, how the methods were used, and to really impress the panel, include ideas for future research . This is really important to show that you not only know how to critically analyse your own work, but that if you are chosen for a PhD, you know how to improve upon experiments and identify the next steps.

Giving a Good Presentation

When all your preparation is done and it’s time for your interview, remember to be confident and enthusiastic about your work while you present. If you are struggling with your timing, try to remember the 1 minute per slide rule and keep an eye on the clock, or if you are presenting remotely even set a timer on your desk! But most importantly, remember that you know the most about your prior research out of everyone in the room, and the questions they might ask will come from a place of interest, not to catch you out!

Gage is a PhD researcher on the MRC funded Advanced Inter-Disciplinary Models (AIM) DTP at the University of Leicester, where they are currently researching dysfunctional T cell signatures within diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). They are also a co-founder of Next Generation Biologist.

• Gage Millen https://ngbpress.com/articles/author/hsdj_3ku-7j02r_tbx6 Deciding on a PhD

Share this:

Related articles

Leveraging Interdisciplinary Experience to Build a Diverse Bioscience PhD Application

• David Alliband
• October 16, 2023

Making the Most of References for Your Bioscience PhD Application

• October 9, 2023

Crafting a Compelling Bioscience PhD Personal Statement: Showcasing Your Unique Journey and Motivation

• September 18, 2023

Tips for your First Laboratory Research Project

• Bethany James
• August 28, 2023

Elevate your bioscience PhD application: showcasing your research experience

• July 24, 2023

Building a Solid Bioscience PhD Application without a Strong Research Background

• July 10, 2023

2 thoughts on “ PhD Interviews – The Presentation ”

• Pingback: Exploring the Intersection of Science and Sunshine: A Journey with Nathalie Reilly
• Pingback: Pioneering Pathways in Stem Cell and Developmental Biology with Bethany James

Comments are closed.

Privacy Overview

How To Prepare for a PhD Interview

• Katie Baker
• September 26, 2023

So, you’ve written your personal statement, you’ve sent through your application and now you’ve been invited to a PhD interview, the first step is to congratulate yourself; only 30 – 50% of PhD applicants make it through to the initial interview stage. The invitation is a sure-fire sign the admissions team were impressed by your academic track record, essays, research proposals and personal statement, but you aren’t out of the woods and in the door just yet. 

PhD interviews are conducted by universities to discuss the PhD program or your research proposal with you in more detail. You can also expect to be asked questions about your academic background, skills, and career goals. By asking these questions, university admissions teams will assess whether you are capable enough to carry out doctoral research. With enough preparation, your PhD interview doesn’t need to be daunting. 

To help you prepare for your interview, this page will outline advice on how to prepare for a PhD interview and give you an insight into what typically happens at PhD interviews. However, it is worth bearing in mind that each university interviews its potential PhD candidates differently. 

Along with following the advice outlined here, you will also want to ensure you have a good idea of what to expect from your interview. For example, some university boards will ask you to do a short presentation; others will only ask you questions based on your research proposal and other application materials that spurred them to pick up the phone and invite you to elaborate on your application. 

Know What To Expect From a PhD Interview

Even though PhD interview questions can vary significantly from institution to institution, depending on the circumstances of your PhD application or be formulated specifically around your subject area, every interview serves the same purpose. 

So while it is difficult to give you an idea of a standard PhD interview format, the principle is the same; you will be discussing the finer details of your research proposal or your academic background if you are applying for a program with pre-determined aims and objectives. 

Formal interviews will put you in front of a postgraduate recruitment panel, potentially comprising admission tutors and PhD supervisors; on the other end of the spectrum, you could be asked to meet your potential supervisor for lunch or in a coffee shop on campus to discuss your research interests. Some universities even choose to include orientation activities in the initial interview process; this will give you the chance to explore the research facilities and meet staff members and peers. 

Whichever setting your interview takes place in, and whoever is present, remember that the focus will always be on your achievements, academic interests, and goals.

PhD Interview Presentations

If a PhD interview presentation is required, you will be informed by the university well in advance to allow you to prepare. Your prospective department will also outline their expectations for the presentation, including how long it should be, what needs to be covered, and how it should be delivered. 

Typically, PhD interview presentations should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete, be delivered via PowerPoint and cover your academic achievements and background, research methods and the impact of your research. However, for students interviewing for advertised positions, there may be a requirement to give a short presentation on a specified topic related to your field.

How Long Does a PhD Interview Take?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer for how long a PhD interview takes; the duration depends on the format, how quickly you provide the information that the postgraduate recruitment panel and several other factors.

With some interviews, you should block out an entire day in your calendar as the university may invite you to meet the recruitment panel in the morning, have lunch on campus, explore the department, and have your formal interview afterwards. With others, you can expect to meet your future supervisor and speak with them for an hour over coffee. Whichever interview format you are invited to, remember you’ll be doing the degree be prepared to make the most of it!

PhD Interviews for Advertised Positions

Most STEM PhD programs come with pre-defined aims, usually part of a research program with broader research objectives; your doctoral research will contribute to the body of research. Furthermore, many advertised PhD projects will also have secure funding. With these kinds of positions, all applicants must prove via their interviews that they can carry out the research to a high standard and prove they deserve the secured funding or studentship.

For example, imagine a particular PhD degree involving the analysis of a particular protein. Being a talented and competent life scientist can get you the interview, but exhibiting your knowledge of the specific proteins and familiarity with the techniques and equipment you need to run your analytical research will seal you the position. You don’t need to be an expert; you need to prove your capacity to become an expert – given the chance.

With advertised positions, the interviews are typically more formal, and the main component will comprise a question-and-answer session where you will be in front of a qualified postgraduate recruitment panel involving three or more people, including project supervisors, postgrad admissions staff, lead investigators and funding reps.

The panel will focus on your research goals and interests and how they correlate to your academic background. You may also be expected to expand on sections of your application which need more clarification. 

It isn’t heard of for interviewers to ask you to give a specific presentation in addition to answering questions. However, this presentation shouldn’t be too long or complex. Alternatively, you may be asked to cover your research proposal in more intricate detail or summarise previous research projects. 

At the end of the interview, you will get the opportunity to ask your own questions; prepare some in advance; this will show your interest and enthusiasm, and you will also gain clarification that the program is right for you.

PhD Interviews for Self-Proposed Research Proposals

If you have applied for a position with a self-proposed research proposal, the interview will differ from the interviews for students hoping to complete doctoral research with pre-defined objectives. 

With self-proposed research proposals, you won’t only need to prove your competency, but you will also need to prove the value and originality of your project. Once accepted, you will have freedom over the research you conduct – to a certain extent – however, you will still gain access to similar levels of support, training and resources. 

Even though you have to defend your research proposal, these interviews are typically more flexible and relaxed; you won’t have the pressure of competing for secured funding or affirming why you deserve studentship above other applicants. However, you will face just as much scrutiny as students competing for advertised positions as you will need to confidently convey that the project is viable in terms of time, methodology, and facilities available at the university. 

It is more likely that interviews for students proposing their own research will be more casual; don’t take this as an indication that they are any less important. The postgraduate research panel or your potential supervisor will still need confirmation that you have the right skills and knowledge to go in-depth with research in their field. 

Taking on a new doctoral candidate is a big multi-year commitment for PhD supervisors; you will want to assure them it is worth their time. Typically, this process will include going through points already illustrated in your proposal and expanding on uncovered areas. If funding is on the cards, it will be allocated on a merit basis; with this in mind, elaborate on the value of your project.

How to Prepare for a PhD Interview

Regardless of how your interview is conducted, you will still need to speak about your research proposal and previous work and experience. Spend ample time reviewing your former essays, considering your previous feedback, and going over your proposal with a fine-tooth comb. You should always be prepared to defend any claims you have made with evidence and examples.

During the interview, expect the academic work carried out in your bachelor’s and master’s degrees to be brought up. The merits of them won’t seal your acceptance offer, but discussing your academic background can exhibit your enthusiasm and show how your interest in your research topic developed.

In addition to re-reading your work, take the time to familiarise yourself with the current or recent research carried out by your supervisor. This familiarity will prove that you will relish the opportunity to work with them. If you aren’t sure who your PhD supervisor will be, review the research carried out in the department. 

The lack of originality in research proposals is one of the main reasons for PhD application rejections, which typically happens before the interview stage. However, during your PhD interview, you will also need to verify, if you have self-proposed your own research, that you have investigated the field to ensure your thesis will be completely original.

For PhD projects with pre-set aims, never overlook any of the details of the program. Beyond reviewing the objectives, take an interest in who will be involved, clue yourself in about external funders, and note the available development and training. 

Practice doesn’t only mean perfect; it also means you are committed, capable and confident. Enlist the help of your current academic contacts and peers while practising your interview or presentation material. This is especially important if you don’t have much experience with public speaking or giving presentations.

What To Wear and Bring to a PhD Interview?

Appearance isn’t everything in a PhD interview, but it can go a long way for potential candidates wanting to make the best first impression. Even though academics don’t typically share a similar wardrobe with CEOs during their average workdays, you should present yourself how you would if you were attending a job interview for your dream job. 

The PhD admissions team will inform you if you need to bring anything specific to your interview, such as a presentation. However, if it makes you feel more comfortable and prepared, you can bring hard copies of your previous essays or dissertations, which you can re-read or reference where appropriate. It may also be beneficial to bring a hard copy of your research proposal if you submitted one. 

A notepad and pen will also help you to take notes after you have asked your questions at the end of the interview. Remember, like a job interview, a PhD interview will assess your suitability for the university and the suitability of the university for you. Doctoral research is a big commitment; you will want to ensure that the institution is right for you; your initial interview may be your only chance to explore the campus and meet the staff.

You might also like

Do You Get Paid for a PhD?

Do You Get Paid for a PhD? For many students who don’t have the luxury of never worrying about money, one of the main considerations

Where Can a PhD in Finance Take Me?

Where Can a PhD in Finance Take Me? In the dynamic world of finance, a PhD is not just an academic accolade; it’s a launchpad

Should I Do a PhD in London?

​​Should I Do a PhD in London? Embarking on a PhD journey is a significant decision, one that shapes your academic and professional future. Once

Enquire with us

We are here to help and to make your journey to UWS London as smooth as possible. Please use the relevant button below to enquiry about a course you would like to apply, or to clarify any questions you may have about us and our admission’s process. After you submit your enquiry, one of our advisers will get back to you as soon as possible.

Introduce yourself in a PhD interview (4 simple steps + examples)

The opening of an application interview for a PhD position usually starts with short introductions of everyone participating in the conversation. Many applicants wonder how to best introduce themselves in a PhD interview. Four simple steps (including examples) help you to develop a powerful self-introduction .

What to do in a PhD interview introduction

What not to do in a phd interview introduction, introductions in a phd interview.

Interviewing for a PhD position can be nerve-wrecking.

On the one hand, the interview is an advanced stage in the PhD application process and a reason to celebrate having come so far.

On the other hand, you may feel much more vulnerable during an interview than when sending a carefully crafted application letter.

A PhD application interview requires you to react quickly to questions, and you will never know what exactly the admissions committee will ask. Nonetheless, you can properly prepare for a PhD interview. One of the elements is preparing a powerful introduction of yourself.

A self-introduction summarises who you are and why you want the PhD position. A powerful self-introduction can set the tone for the whole interview.

If you are unprepared, there is a risk of going in all directions when it is your turn to introduce yourself. It may throw you off and make you extra nervous for the remainder of the interview.

You may also like: How to strategically prepare for a PhD application

Several things are pivotal in PhD interview introductions:

• Keep it short: A good self-introduction is not too long. Of course, it should be longer than simply stating “ My name is … and I would like this position because I love doing research .” However, when introducing yourself, you should avoid speaking for longer than 3-4 minutes.
• Don’t take away all answers to potential questions: Some applicants try to predict all possible interview questions in advance. Then they try to answer all of them as part of their self-introduction. Don’t! There will be plenty of time in the interview to go into details. In a self-introduction, stick to a handful of key points that you want to bring across.
• Take non-verbal cues into account: Non-verbal cues include facial expressions, gestures and body language. During a self-introduction, you should make sure to come across excited about the interview instead of scared and defensive. Smile. Pause. You should also try to read the body language of the interviewer/s: Leaning forward, moving, or hand gestures are cues to wrap up your self-introduction.

Several things are best to be avoided when you introduce yourself in a PhD interview:

• Don’t start babbling: Many PhD applicants start babbling when they are nervous. Babbling means they talk rapidly and incomprehensively. They may repeat information and go in all directions. The easiest way to prevent babbling is by preparing the self-introduction in advance. The four steps explained below can help you with this preparation.
• Don’t provide too detailed information: A self-introduction in a PhD interview serves one purpose: introducing yourself at the start of the interview. Nothing more and nothing less. Hence, there is no need to go into detail about every single aspect. For instance, it is enough to explain what bachelor’s degree you earned. No need to list all individual courses that you followed.
• Don’t already ask questions: It is advisable not to end your self-introduction with several questions that you have. Rest assured that there will likely be a time when the interviewers ask whether you have any questions about the PhD programme that you applied to. However, most interviews will begin with questions to the applicant and not the other way around. So be mindful of this general structure of PhD interviews, and don’t create an awkward situation by immediately bombarding your interviewer/s with your own questions.

Step 1: State your full name

The first step is easy-peasy: State your full name. Why?

Not all names can be intuitively pronounced. So help your interviewer/s by saying out loud your whole name. In that way, they will be more comfortable addressing you by name throughout the interview.

Step 2: Give a brief overview of your educational (and professional) background

Your educational background has a lot of weight in the decision of the application committee on whether you are a good match for a PhD programme or not.

Therefore, it is useful to provide a brief summary of your educational background. Those who have work experience also benefit from including it.

Step 3: Explain why you are interested in the PhD position

The next step is to justify your interest in the PhD position. There are several powerful ways to explain why you want to do a PhD.

What is important in this next step, however, is to link your motivation to the specific PhD position that you are interviewing for. Remember to keep it relatively short!

Step 4: Thank everyone for the opportunity to be interviewed

The final step is to thank everyone for the opportunity to be interviewed. Be gracious and polite, and express your enthusiasm for the interview. This will create a comfortable atmosphere in which questions can be freely asked and answered.

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox!

Subscribe and receive Master Academia's quarterly newsletter.

10 key skills of successful master's students

Clever strategies to keep up with the latest academic research, related articles.

37 creative ways to get motivation to study

Dealing with failure as a PhD student

How to deal with a desk-rejected paper

13 great academic phrases to write your discussion (+ published examples)

• Customer Favourites

Phd Interview

Powerpoint Templates

Icon Bundle

Kpi Dashboard

Professional

Business Plans

Swot Analysis

Gantt Chart

Business Proposal

Marketing Plan

Project Management

Business Case

Business Model

Cyber Security

Business PPT

Digital Marketing

Digital Transformation

Human Resources

Product Management

Artificial Intelligence

Company Profile

Acknowledgement PPT

PPT Presentation

Reports Brochures

One Page Pitch

Interview PPT

All Categories

• You're currently reading page 1

Category // require(['jquery'], function ($) { $(document).ready(function () { //removes paginator if items are less than selected items per page var paginator = $("#limiter :selected").text(); var itemsPerPage = parseInt(paginator); var itemsCount = $(".products.list.items.product-items.sli_container").children().length; if (itemsCount

• Complete Decks (2)
• Flat Designs (1)
• Proposals (1)

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

• View all journals
• Explore content
• About the journal
• Publish with us
• Sign up for alerts
• CAREER COLUMN
• 08 April 2024

How we landed job interviews for professorships straight out of our PhD programmes

• Violeta Rodriguez 0 &
• Qimin Liu 1

Violeta Rodriguez is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

You can also search for this author in PubMed   Google Scholar

Qimin Liu is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Boston University in Massachusetts.

By staying organized in their job hunt, both authors received several job offers. Credit: Getty

We met during the last year of our PhD training, after securing placements at the University of Illinois Chicago’s Department of Psychiatry for our predoctoral internships — the final step of our clinical doctoral programmes. V. R. came from the University of Georgia in Athens and was pursuing a PhD in clinical psychology, and Q. L. came from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, and was working towards a PhD in clinical science and quantitative methods. It was amid the academic rigour and personal stress of the last year of our programmes that we became friends. We bonded over being immigrants and not speaking English as our first language while navigating the complexities of academia. We both wanted to forgo postdoctoral training and instead immediately become junior professors. Now, we’re assistant professors: V. R. is at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Q. L. is at Boston University in Massachusetts.

The odds we faced in the academic job market had seemed insurmountable, particularly to immigrants, and we had been cautioned by mentors and even junior faculty members about the challenge ahead. But we succeeded: we received a combined total of 27 in-person interviews, leading to 15 tenure-track assistant-professor offers across departments of psychology, paediatrics or psychiatry, schools of education and academic medical centres. (You can check out our hints for nailing job interviews in our other article .)

How to move labs

Despite the positive outcome, the process was stressful, fast and unpredictable. Our friendship became a sanctuary: amid the daunting job market and our own self-doubt, we understood and encouraged each other. We want to offer what our friendship provided us — understanding, support and encouragement — to researchers hoping to stay in academia after earning a PhD, so we are sharing our reflections and insights.

We must first make clear: no amount of job-search tips and tricks can substitute for good science and a strong publication record. To gauge our readiness, we looked up the CV of the most recent hire in each department that we applied to. We also made sure we had backup offers of postdoctoral positions. While navigating this process, we learnt that institutions were interested in candidates who planned to pursue external funding.

Qimin Liu is now an assistant professor. Credit: Qimin Liu

We had both obtained federal and private funding before — making us more competitive. We urge aspiring professors to prioritize their research contributions, external fellowship and grant applications and academic achievements above all.

To readers who’ve successfully navigated this process, many of our reflections and insights could seem obvious. However, this kind of advice can be the hardest to follow during a fast-moving job hunt, with several moving pieces involved and new considerations and job offers or advertisements emerging unexpectedly. Treat this as a checklist before beginning to fill out job applications.

Tips and tricks

Start your search early. Allow ample time to prepare for the job hunt; research potential options, such as jobs in academic medical centres, standard department positions or tenure-track jobs in related fields; and submit applications. Plan to reply to job ads long before the first deadline. Starting early gives you time to collect and incorporate feedback from mentors and colleagues.

Training: Free course on peer review

Prepare your networks. The academic job market can be unpredictable, with opportunities emerging unexpectedly. It is important to think about who can write letters for you — sometimes at short notice. Most of our applications required three letters of recommendation from all applicants. Others requested letters from only shortlisted candidates.

Plan ahead. The final drafts of materials took, on average, one to two months in total to prepare and polish. The initial drafts took about 8 hours, and the research statement required a total of 16 hours. (The research statement summarizes your research programme, the work you’ve done so far and what you plan to pursue in future. It can also highlight why a particular institution is well-suited to support your work.) Preparing drafted statements in advance made it easier to adapt them to different positions later — tweaking materials for specific positions took 30–60 minutes per application.

Research potential job opportunities. Don’t just rely on word-of-mouth or googling specific positions to find things you’re interested in applying to. Use online job boards (such as HigherEdJobs or Nature Careers ), and tap into your professional network by sending e-mails or LinkedIn messages to your mentors and colleagues, letting them know you’re on the job market. Scour social media and department websites to find available positions. We both posted on X (formerly Twitter) that we were job hunting, and several people reached out with opportunities.

Develop job application ‘templates’. Create a set of well-crafted templates for your application materials, such as cover letters and statements, on which you can easily fill in your name, relevant details and where you’ve previously worked. Having adaptable documents allowed us to respond quickly to new postings.

Tailor your application materials. Templates can take you only so far. Take the time to customize your application materials, including your CV, cover letter (each of ours was one page long) and research statement, to highlight your relevant skills, experiences and research contributions. Tailoring your materials to each position demonstrates genuine interest and increases your chances of standing out to hiring committees. Generic applications are easy for hiring managers to reject. Mentioning centres or institutes that align with your research; available resources, such as early-career programmes, that you want to take advantage of; and the names of people whom you are interested in working with can help to personalize your application materials.

Stay organized. Maintain a well-organized system to track application deadlines, requirements and submission statuses. Be ready to remind your letter writers to submit their recommendations. Keep a calendar or spreadsheet to ensure that all required materials are submitted on time and to track when to follow up. An example spreadsheet is provided below.

Practise for interviews and job talks. Run mock interviews with your peers or mentors. Practise answering common interview questions and develop concise, compelling responses that highlight your expertise, teaching abilities and fit. Treat these seriously — you’re likely to be nervous in the real interview, so try to recreate that while rehearsing, perhaps by inviting a relatively unknown colleague or professor to join the practice runs. V. R. recorded her job talk on Zoom and sent it to others for feedback.

Practising your job talk — a presentation of your academic research that is often a spoken version of your research statement — until you know it backwards and forwards will prepare you for the unexpected. In addition, rehearsing how you plan to respond to different questions, and practising saying that you want people to hold their questions until the end, can be helpful.

Prepare a start-up budget to get your lab running. Many academic positions include a start-up fund for incoming faculty members. It is typically used for summer salary and staffing or research costs. You might be asked for an estimated budget before, during or after the interview stage — so you should have one ready in advance. When preparing your budget, keep in mind the spending norms at the institution and for your discipline. Ask for more than you think you need, because this amount will often be reduced during negotiations.

As we look back on our job-hunting experiences, we are reminded of how much we grew in this process, in ways that are not related to just our jobs — and this growth continued in our interviews .

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01044-1

This is an article from the Nature Careers Community, a place for Nature readers to share their professional experiences and advice. Guest posts are encouraged .

Supplementary Information

• Example spreadsheet

Related Articles

• Research management

‘Shrugging off failure is hard’: the $400-million grant setback that shaped the Smithsonian lead scientist’s career

Career Column 15 APR 24

Citizenship privilege harms science

Comment 15 APR 24

How I harnessed media engagement to supercharge my research career

Career Column 09 APR 24

Brazil’s postgraduate funding model is about rectifying past inequalities

Correspondence 09 APR 24

Declining postdoc numbers threaten the future of US life science

How two PhD students overcame the odds to snag tenure-track jobs

Career Column 08 APR 24

Adopt universal standards for study adaptation to boost health, education and social-science research

Correspondence 02 APR 24

How can we make PhD training fit for the modern world? Broaden its philosophical foundations

Postdoctoral Associate- Curing Brain Tumors

Houston, Texas (US)

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM)

Energy AI / Grid Modernization / Hydrogen Energy / Power Semiconductor Concentration / KENTECH College

21, Kentech-gil, Naju-si, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea(KR)

Korea Institute of Energy Technology

Professor in Macromolecular Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry - Ångström conducts research and education in Chemistry. The department has 260 employees and has a turnover of 290 mil...

Uppsala (Stad) (SE)

Uppsala University

Postdoctoral research fellow focused on generative modelling of synthetic cohorts in brain research

Lunds universitet, Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper Malmö Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top ...

Lund (Stad), Skåne (SE)

Lund University

Junior Group Leader Position at IMBA - Institute of Molecular Biotechnology

The Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA) is one of Europe’s leading institutes for basic research in the life sciences. IMBA is located on t...

Austria (AT)

IMBA - Institute of Molecular Biotechnology

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Quick links

• Explore articles by subject
• Guide to authors
• Editorial policies

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Tournament darling DJ Burns and N.C. State head to the Final 4, smiles, skips and all

Becky Sullivan

DJ Burns Jr. of the North Carolina State Wolfpack is showered with confetti after advancing to the Final Four. Patrick Smith/Getty Images hide caption

DJ Burns Jr. of the North Carolina State Wolfpack is showered with confetti after advancing to the Final Four.

DJ Burns Jr. is having fun.

During Sunday's Elite Eight matchup against Duke, Burns skipped as he came on and off the court. Crowds have wised up to who he is: his outsized stature, his graceful footwork, his delicate touch with the ball. The cheers that come when he touches the ball, the "let's go DJ" chants — that's an "awesome feeling," he says.

After Sunday's win put his team in the Final Four, Burns and two of his teammates walked into the post-game press conference, each bearing a smile and a Final Four hat adorned with the traditional souvenir — a little piece of basketball net, tied around the snap.

Caitlin Clark once dreamed of going to UConn. Now, she'll face them in the Final Four

As Burns took a seat, he pulled out his phone and took a selfie of the three of them.

"I was raised in a happy environment. I try to take that with me everywhere I go," Burns said after the game.

All season long, Burns has been a fan favorite for North Carolina State, the 11-seed that elbowed its way into this year's NCAA basketball tournament. And now that the Wolfpack has reached the Final Four, the spotlight has grown larger than ever.

A magical tournament run is in N.C. State's blood

N.C. State may, at first blush, seem an unconventional Cinderella, even as they became the only double-digit seed left in the men's tournament by the time they reached the Sweet Sixteen. They are a power conference team that has twice won a title, not a small, obscure college enjoying a one-off moment of glory.

But an unlikely tournament run is in the Wolfpack's blood; N.C. State won the 1983 title as a 6-seed, and then-head coach Jim Valvano's celebratory run across the court after the final buzzer remains an iconic image of March Madness.

The women's NCAA Final Four is set after Iowa wins its rematch against LSU

Now, this year's squad has hit their stride at just the right time, ousting favored opponents one after the other along a magical March run that has dazzled viewers and landed Burns and his teammates on college basketball's biggest stage.

"They never lost trust in who they are, and they've put together one of the most magical runs in the history of basketball," said head coach Kevin Keatts in an interview with NPR.

To reach this point, the Wolfpack has had to win nine games in a row — all of them elimination games, in which a loss would have ended their season.

Before these dazzling past few weeks, N.C. State had lost seven of nine games to end their regular season a dismal 17-14, a record too mediocre to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.

That left an automatic bid as their only hope: To earn a March Madness berth, N.C. State would have to win five games in five days during the ACC tournament.

Why the University of Idaho marching band members are heroes in Connecticut

So — they did. That string of victories in March led them to an 11-seed in the NCAA tournament, where they raised eyebrows by winning their first two games against 6-seed Texas Tech and 14-seed Oakland.

"We went back and looked at the games that we lost, and it wasn't so much about the other team. It was more about what we didn't do," Keatts said. "That's why we were able to lock in and focus."

Now, with wins over 2-seed Marquette and 4-seed Duke behind them to reach this stage, there's no doubt they belong in the Final Four just the same as the 1-seed Purdue they'll face Saturday, the team says.

"When you make it to the Final Four, people don't look at what your number is," Keatts said. "I don't think we can, at this point, sneak up on anybody. I think everybody knows that we're a good basketball team."

Burns adopts a serious, focused demeanor during games. But in the final minutes of the Elite Eight matchup with Duke, as N.C. State's lead grew, Burns showed some emotion. Carmen Mandato/Getty Images hide caption

Burns adopts a serious, focused demeanor during games. But in the final minutes of the Elite Eight matchup with Duke, as N.C. State's lead grew, Burns showed some emotion.

Burns's big size and graceful touch with the ball

Throughout the season, Burns has stood out as a force to be reckoned with.

At 6-foot-9 and ostensibly 275 pounds — though Burns has told reporters he weighs more than 300 pounds — Burns sticks out on a basketball court.

Although he has NFL-caliber size, his coach warns that you should not compare him to a left tackle.

"DJ Burns would think he was a tight end. You can't say left tackle. That's not right," Keatts said at a press conference last week.

Burns' size allows him to back up defenders who may weigh 30, or 50, or 70 pounds less than he does. Then, as he turns to the basket, Burns can gracefully unleash any of the classic big man's arsenal: finger rolls, hook shots, the gentlest of jumpers that kiss the glass before swishing through the basket.

As Burns draws more defensive attention, perhaps his best weapon has become his ability to pass out of a double team, his coach says. Burns had three assists against Duke and an impressive seven in their Sweet Sixteen match against 2-seed Marquette.

Police investigating racial harassment of NCAA women's basketball team in Idaho

"When DJ gets going, it makes it easier for us guards on the perimeter. He draws so much attention. All we can do is stay ready: stay ready to shoot, stay ready to make a play," said Wolfpack guard Casey Morsell last week. "But when he's going, we're very hard to stop."

Still, basketball is played by a team of five; Burns isn't all that makes N.C. State noteworthy. Their leading scorer is guard DJ Horne, a Raleigh native who transferred from Arizona State to N.C. State this season to be closer to home. Starting forward Mohamed Diarra played 39 minutes against Oakland last weekend as he was fasting for Ramadan. Point guard Michael O'Connell originally intended to play lacrosse in college.

That mix of backgrounds, and the fact that many of his players were new to the team, helps explain their struggles earlier this season, Keatts said. "Because we had eight new people — seven transfers and one freshman — it took us a little longer than most teams to gel," he said.

Both the men's and women's teams are in the Final Four

For fans of N.C. State, the past month has been a feast, with the first Final Four for the men's squad since that magical '83 run, and the women's team in their own Final Four for the first time since 1998.

"When N.C. State basketball is playing well, I think it's really good for everybody involved, for our community, for our students, for our alumni," Keatts said.

Why haven't NCAA fans always followed the WNBA? Sue Bird has her theories

Players from the previous championship squads — both the 1983 team and the 1974 team whose own tournament run ended John Wooden and UCLA's historic streak of seven straight NCAA titles — have been in touch by text and phone call, Keatts said.

"It's been a long time. It's been a lot of years," he said. "Everybody is really, really proud of what's going on right now."

His players "understand how important it is to bring basketball back" to N.C. State's one-time glory, Keatts said. But for now, they are focused on this weekend's game, and they're creating their own memories, he added.

Asked before last weekend's games if he was aware of the attention, Burns' face broke into a smile.

"I've definitely noticed it. It's been kind of crazy," Burns said. "Going from having almost zero media attention to a camera following you around all day is kinda been — it's been cool, but, you know —" he pauses, smiles, shakes his head — "I've definitely noticed it. Hard to miss it."

A 2024 March Madness vocabulary: How to sound like you know what you're talking about

For Burns, especially, the increased publicity has been a business opportunity in the form of name, image and likeness deals. In a Sunday post on his Instagram feed, Burns announced a partnership with the gas station chain 76, and in a press conference Thursday, he suggested that more deals were in the works.

All of the attention is well-deserved, his coach said. "When you meet him, you feel like you've known him for 10 years," Keatts told NPR. "He gets along with everyone. It could be your grandmother. It could be your 5-year-old son. It could be anyone who gets along with everybody. I consider him a teddy bear. And that's what he is, just a tremendous personality."

Asked last week what he'd like to say to people who didn't believe that N.C. State could reach this stage, Burns again smiled that big smile, as Keatts urged him to "be nice, be nice."

"I've been saying it, y'know: Welcome back," Burns said. "They didn't really believe in us, and they probably still don't. But that doesn't matter to us. We're just gonna stay together."

"If you're supporting us, thank you," he said. "If not, that's what it is."

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Woman Who Stabbed Childhood Friend to Impress ‘Slender Man’ Won’t Be Released

A judge denied Morgan Geyser’s request for release on Thursday, nearly a decade after the attack by a pair of 12-year-olds against their friend stunned residents of Waukesha, Wis.

By Emily Schmall

Reporting from Waukesha, Wis.

A judge on Thursday denied a request for the conditional release of a Wisconsin woman who stabbed a middle-school friend 19 times a decade ago, when they were both 12, in a crime that she later said was carried out to impress a sinister fictional figure named Slender Man.

In January, Morgan Geyser, 21, requested early release from her 40-year commitment to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute in Oshkosh, Wis., where she has been held since 2018, petitioning Judge Michael O. Bohren of Waukesha County Circuit Court to consider whether she represented a threat to herself or others.

After hearing testimony from three experts and the director of the institute, Judge Bohren decided that there was significant risk that Ms. Geyser would harm herself or others, and that she should remain institutionalized.

Ms. Geyser, who appeared in court on Wednesday in an orange shirt and pants, her wrists in shackles, had no immediate comment. Her lawyer, Anthony Cotton, said he would file another petition for conditional release in six months, the minimum time frame allowed under Wisconsin state law.

On May 31, 2014, Ms. Geyser and a classmate, Anissa Weier, then both 12, lured a friend, Payton Leutner, also 12, into a wooded area. Ms. Geyser stabbed Ms. Leutner 19 times as Ms. Weier urged her on. Severely wounded, Ms. Leutner crawled out of the woods and was found by a cyclist. She was taken to a hospital, where she later recovered from her injuries.

The police found Ms. Geyser and Ms. Weier hours after the attack near a highway . They said they were on their way to a mansion in Wisconsin’s Northwoods that they believed was the home of Slender Man , a fictional character generally depicted as a tall, shadowy figure with a blank face.

Ms. Weier and Ms. Geyser told the authorities that they had stabbed Ms. Leutner because they wanted to please Slender Man . They said they believed that Slender Man was real and that, by killing Ms. Leutner, they would become his “proxies.”

The attack rattled residents of Waukesha, a quiet, tidy suburb of 70,000 people west of Milwaukee, where the three girls lived with their families and attended middle school. The case also raised questions about how parents could keep their children from exploring the darker corners of the internet, such as the forum where Slender Man was born.

Some of Ms. Leutner’s relatives, who a prosecutor said “vehemently opposed” Ms. Geyser’s release, attended the two-day hearing that concluded on Thursday. No one from Ms. Geyser’s family came.

Psychologists gave testimony that shed light on Ms. Geyser’s traumatic childhood, her psychiatric history after the attack and the difficulty of gauging the wellness of a person who had spent her entire adolescence in a mental institution.

Ms. Geyser had told the psychologists that she had been sexually assaulted by her father, who died in 2023. She said her mother had failed to protect her.

One of the psychologists, Deborah Collins, who recommended against Ms. Geyser’s conditional release, said that Ms. Geyser had tried to hang herself in October 2021. She also said that Ms. Geyser stopped taking antipsychotic medications in 2022 and that she claimed she had feigned her mental illness to escape her abusive father.

Citing medical records, Dr. Collins testified that Ms. Geyser had said to a therapist last year: “How do you think I was able to repeatedly stab my best friend? I didn’t care, I can’t care, I’ve never known how to care.”

Dr. Collins and another psychologist who testified described Ms. Geyser as an intelligent and empathetic person who was clearly psychotic at the time of her attack, and said that her statements raised doubts about her credibility.

Judge Bohren agreed.

“This is a brutal attack on a person,” he said. “This is hands on, if you will. This is bloody, this is gory. That kind of dangerous conduct is what the risk is.” Until questions about her credibility can be resolved, he added, “that risk is high.”

Ms. Geyser and Ms. Weier were charged with attempted first-degree intentional homicide. Under Wisconsin state law , they were charged as adults.

Ms. Geyser pleaded guilty to a charge of attempted first-degree intentional homicide as part of a deal in which prosecutors agreed not to seek prison time. She was sentenced to a 40-year commitment to the psychiatric hospital.

Ms. Weier pleaded guilty in 2017 to a lesser charge of attempted second-degree homicide. A jury later found that she was suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the stabbing and that she should also get treatment rather than prison time. She was committed to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute for 25 years.

She was granted conditional release in July 2021 and is serving out the remainder of her commitment term at her father’s home under electronic monitoring.

Ms. Geyser, who began treatment for early onset schizophrenia while in custody in 2015, abandoned two earlier petitions for release , in 2022 and 2023, on the basis of a report from a psychologist. She filed her latest petition for conditional release in January.

Ms. Geyser’s mother, Angie Geyser, did not respond to an interview request before the hearing, but she spoke to the ABC News program “20/20” in 2018.

“I never would have imagined that my daughter was capable of hurting another person,” she said .

Ms. Leutner, who returned to middle school after a monthslong recovery from the attack, declined an interview request. “I want to be a normal person, and I want to heal in peace,” she said in a text message.

Ms. Weier did not respond to messages seeking comment on the prospect of Ms. Geyser’s release, but her grandmother, Melody Weier, said in an interview before the hearing that she hoped that Ms. Geyser would remain hospitalized, “because of the illness.”

She said her granddaughter had struggled to return to normal life since her release from the psychiatric hospital.

“People judge,” she said. “It’s not fair.”

Emily Schmall covers breaking news and feature stories and is based in Chicago. More about Emily Schmall

How Neal Shipley claimed Masters low amateur honors: ‘A little bit of grit’

• Follow live coverage of the fourth and final day of the 2024 Masters today

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Neal Shipley wasn’t raised in a golf family. But he did grow up with a family that loved golf.

The Sunday afternoon of the 2004 PGA Championship was all it took for the Ohio State graduate student — the only amateur to make the cut at this week’s Masters — to fish his dad’s neglected golf clubs out of a closet and give this humbling game a lifelong shot.

Advertisement

“Me and my dad were on our couch,” Shipley said Friday after finishing 36 holes at Augusta National at 3 over and making the cut by three shots. “And Vijay Singh won. The next day I took my dad’s golf clubs, which were dusty and probably never used, and started swinging around. I decided to get my own little set, and it took off from there.”

Shipley wasn’t just hooked; he was adamant. As an elementary schooler, he told anyone in his hometown of Mt. Lebanon, Pa., that he intended to become a professional golfer. In the second grade, he took his bag to school for “show and tell.” Shipley’s class ventured outdoors at recess to watch him launch drives into the schoolyard. He was a regular at his local junior league. Shipley’s family eventually decided to join St. Clair Country Club so he could properly hone his craft.

“We joined a country club so that he’d have a place to play,” says his father, also named Neal Shipley, “but we’re not country club people.”

Twenty years later, Shipley will play the weekend at the 88th Masters at a firm and fast Augusta National after being invited as the 2023 U.S. Amateur runner-up. He’s tied for 30th, hanging right in there with legends of the game, including 61-year-old Singh, who sits at 4 over, one stroke behind the 23-year-old on the leaderboard through 36 holes.

With his signature long locks spilling down his neck, Shipley will walk up the 18th fairway Sunday evening with low amateur honors locked up. He is the only survivor of the five amateurs in the field. But that wasn’t always guaranteed.

Shipley’s name snuck into the top 10 early Friday morning with back-to-back birdies on his second and third holes to reach 3 under. Hours later, he endured an Augusta National ritual: an Amen Corner implosion.

A drive in the pine straw and a sloppy three-putt on 11, followed by a misplaced tee shot on the par-3 12th cost Shipley three shots in two holes, bringing the projected cut line dangerously into play with winds picking up by the minute.

The remainder of Shipley’s back nine wasn’t perfect, but he hammered away, holing a 39-footer and a 20-footer for birdies at Nos. 13 and 15, respectively.

“He’s a Western Pennsylvania kid,” Shipley’s dad says. “We all have a little bit of grit.”

Following a birdie on No. 13, Neal Shipley is the lowest amateur on the course. #themasters pic.twitter.com/3MAjI3yltE — The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2024

To follow his stunning opening-round 71, Shipley carded a 4-over 76 Friday. It could have been a lot worse, but it wasn’t. A bogey at the 18th put Shipley just inside the cut line for the moment, which ballooned as the afternoon wore on. Now the graduate student is tied with Akshay Bhatia, last week’s PGA Tour winner, and nine shots off of Max Homa, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau’s shared lead.

“After going bogey, double, bogey on that stretch there, it’s easy to lose some momentum,” Shipley said. “We did a good job of staying in it and just trying to hit some good golf shots the entire time.”

Shipley uses “we” like a seasoned pro when describing the shots he executed alongside his caddie Friday afternoon. But when Shipley uses the plural pronoun, he means it.

Shipley has his childhood best friend, Carter Pitcairn, a sophomore on the Wisconsin golf team, on the bag for him this week. The pair also teamed up at the U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills last summer, the championship that got him into the Masters field and brought him momentary viral stardom for his everyman vibe and candid personality. When he officially punched his ticket to the Masters, Shipley slammed his burly physique into Pitcairn and yelled ‘Gimme some!’ on the Golf Channel broadcast.

Pitcairn and Shipley attended the same high school, grew up playing the same golf course and shared transportation to and from team practice every day for a year.

“A lot of McDonald’s trips and miles together in the car,” Shipley said. “A bunch of country music. We both like to go fly-fishing too and do stuff like that.”

Shipley might be the one touching the club, but his family might as well be holding on with him. And that doesn’t just include his father and his mother, Susie, who tracked every shot Thursday and Friday. It’s his 26-year-old sister, Fabi, and 21-year-old brother, Max. It’s his roommate, Jacob, who is eager to share stories about the dart board in their apartment back in Columbus, and Jacob’s father, who brags about how fast Shipley can down a beer. It’s Pitcairn’s parents and Shipley’s Ohio State college coach.

The Shipley crew runs deep — approximately 15 people are watching him this week in Augusta — and their collective Masters memories will run even deeper no matter what happens next.

Shipley’s success this week didn’t shock his circle of friends, family members and teammates supporting him here in Augusta. Before completing a graduate degree at Ohio State, Shipley earned his degree in quantitative finance from James Madison University with minors in mathematics and economics.

Shipley is an analytical thinker, and he took every measure to prepare for his week at the Masters. He used all five practice trips allotted for amateurs to acclimate to Augusta National, playing 140 holes on the Alister MacKenzie design before the tournament began. Shipley also had lunch with six-time Masters champion and Ohio State alum Jack Nicklaus, who shared pivotal course strategy insights, and received additional advice from Larry Mize.

The intensity with which Shipley prepared for the Masters was partly because it could be his only Masters. Shipley’s game got hot right before his run at U.S. Am. Coming out of high school, he barely cracked the top 400 in his class ranking. After three years at James Madison, he stood at No. 1,497 in the world amateur golf ranking. Shipley’s recent form has been strong, but you never know what can happen in this tumultuous game.

“Maybe things don’t turn out the way you want to,” Shipley says. “I certainly don’t think it’s going to be my last Masters, but I think you have to treat every Masters as if it’s your last, probably until you win. I think that kept me loose and not as nervous, just trying to enjoy the moment.”

Shipley might not know it yet, but no matter what transpires over the weekend and in his professional career, he won’t remember the 2024 Masters for his birdies and bogeys.

The elder Neal Shipley pauses mid-sentence as he stands underneath the big oak tree that shades the Augusta National clubhouse, tears welling in his eyes.

He’s recounting a devotional he shared with his son before the Masters. Now the father isn’t sure of what he’ll get to say to Neal in advance of Saturday’s round. The 23-year-old is staying in a separate house for maximum focus.

“Accomplishments big or small, when you see your kids achieve their goals, it’s the most wonderful feeling possible,” his dad says.

Shipley’s father might not know when he’ll speak to Neal next or what words he’ll choose when he does. But he does know what he’ll be doing early Sunday evening: watching his son on TV, as he sits next to Jim Nantz and the new Masters champion in Butler Cabin.

Not bad for a family that didn’t play golf until that one day two decades ago.

(Top photo: Warren Little / Getty Images)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.

Gabby Herzig is a Staff Writer for The Athletic covering golf. Before joining The Athletic, she worked as a breaking news writer for Sports Illustrated’s golf vertical and a contributing editor at Golf Digest. She is a graduate of Pomona College, where she captained the varsity women’s golf team.

Low amateur Neal Shipley finishes dream week at Masters with Tiger Woods pairing on Sunday

Change Text Size

Neal Shipley guaranteed himself a chair in Butler Cabin by Friday night. The 23-year-old Ohio State graduate student was the lone amateur to make the cut, shooting an admirable 76 in brutally difficult second-round conditions.

That meant Sunday night would always be one to remember. With low amateur honors comes an invite to sit with the eventual Masters champion and be honored on national television in Butler Cabin.

“Playing with Tiger, Sunday at the Masters, the whole week, I think I have to win one of these things to kind of top this week,” Shipley said after his final round 73.

Four days at the Masters can transform a golfer’s life. Usually, that distinction is the champion’s alone. Shipley can build a case from this week – progressing from relative anonymity outside of the most informed golf circles to low amateur honors at the Masters and a tee time with arguably the greatest golfer of all time.

A bit of incidental serendipity secured the young amateur the most desirable Sunday pairing in golf. Shipley made a double bogey on the par-4 18th on Saturday to shoot 80 and fall back to 11-over. He was understandably frustrated. He had hoped to do more than make the cut. He wanted to contend into the weekend, just as Sam Bennett did a year ago. Those hopes were dashed. The frustration quickly faded when Shipley’s caddie got the news of Sunday’s pairing.

“That's when the emotions turned around,” Shipley said.

So, on Sunday, Shipley floated around Augusta National without care. He talked with Woods about golf and Woods’ 15-year-old son Charlie . In between, Shipley hit some golf shots, too.

“Just kind of a cool, like, casual round with Tiger, you know, other than you're here at the Masters,” Shipley said.

That’s a big qualifier, though Shipley’s play was enough to believe the assertion. He made four birdies en route to his 1-over round of 73. Shipley was four shots better than Woods, who labored to shoot 77 in his 100th career round at Augusta National. Shipley also got three more hours of sleep than Woods. Woods told Shipley he woke up at 3:45 a.m. for their tee time. Shipley slept like a baby and awoke at 6:45 a.m.

“He's such a normal guy and really cool,” Shipley said of Woods. “He was great to me all day. Couldn't be more appreciative of him just being awesome today, and it was just really cool to be around him and just the attention he gets and the roars. The crowds were phenomenal.”

It’s undoubtedly the biggest spotlight Shipley has played under in his career. The former James Madison golfer transferred to Ohio State as a graduate student in 2022 after earning a quantitative finance degree in just three years. Shipley started 2024 by winning the Southwestern Invitational in California for his first collegiate victory and last summer, he finished second in the Dogwood Invitational, Sunnehanna Amateur and Trans-Mississippi Amateur.

Then, he finished runner-up to Nick Dunlap at the 2023 U.S. Amateur to earn an invitation to the Masters. He will play in the U.S. Open in June as well, and this week’s experience will make him better for it.

“I was just kind of doing my thing and not doing anything special, that was good enough to make the cut and compete out here and beat a lot of players that are on the PGA TOUR,” Shipley said.

That included Woods. If nothing else, Shipley can say he bested the 15-time major winner at Augusta National.

Pretty good.