Dr Chris Thompson

PhD Voice Notes

Education EN ↓ 31 episodes

A series of short audio clips to get you thinking about how to maximise your PhD experience and increase your future employability. Download free resources using the link below: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O0Z1qKEwXtjBuhhkRxL4UtY6L4u3v7A2?usp=sharing

Author

Dr Chris Thompson

Episodes

Episode 6 - Querying job opportunities with employers at the end of your PhD 07.03.2026 8:24

In episode 6 of PhD Voice Notes , I discuss how to query employment opportunities at the end of your PhD. More specifically: Why it is worth querying opportunities with an employer even when nothing is currently advertised. How to craft a professional email to an employer. The importance of speaking to a range of employers and maintaining realistic expectations. A template email is available for t...

Episode 5 - Querying postdoc opportunities with academics at the end of your PhD 07.03.2026 5:09

In episode 5 of PhD Voice Notes , I discuss how to query postdoc opportunities academics at the end of your PhD. More specifically: Why it is worth speaking to academics about a postdoc, even before anything has been formally advertised. How to craft a professional email to an academic. The importance of speaking to a range of academics and having realistic expectations. A template email is availa...

Episode 4 - What does a lecturer do? 07.03.2026 8:13

In episode 4 of PhD Voice Notes , I discuss the common roles and responsibilities of a university lecturer. More specifically: Research expectations. Teaching duties. Other lesser-known responsibilities, such as administrative tasks. A list of job search websites to find lecturing roles is available for this episode. You can download it by clicking the link to the Google Drive folder - https://dri...

Episode 3 - Writing an academic CV 07.03.2026 12:34

In episode 3 of PhD Voice Notes , I discuss how to write an academic CV. More specifically: How to structure the CV appropriately. The nuances of tailoring the CV to the right audience. How to best sell yourself to the reader. An example CV is available for this episode. You can download it by clicking the link to the Google Drive folder - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O0Z1qKEwXtjBuhhkRx...

Episode 2 - How to answer "Tell us about yourself" at a job interview 07.03.2026 3:32

In episode 2 of PhD Voice Notes , I discuss how to answer “Tell us about yourself” at a job interview. More specifically: Explaining your “lightbulb moment” to the panel. Outlining your relevant experiences and achievements. Demonstrating how your background has led you to applying for the job. A template answer is available for this episode. You can download it by clicking the link to the Google...

Episode 1 - Teaching during your PhD 07.03.2026 6:56

In episode 1 of PhD Voice Notes , I discuss teaching during your PhD. More specifically: The different teaching options available to you. The value of mixing up your teaching options. How to find these teaching options. An accompanying worksheet is available for this episode. You can download it by clicking the link to the Google Drive folder - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O0Z1qKEwXtjBu...