Doctoral approach guide · reviewed 13 August 2026
How to contact a potential PhD supervisor
The strongest first email is short, specific and easy to answer. It demonstrates research fit without assuming that a published profile means the academic is currently recruiting.
Verify the route, not only the name.
Check the academic’s current institutional profile, the admitting doctoral programme, eligibility rules and any active official vacancy. A clinician, laboratory lead or fellowship mentor may be an excellent collaborator without being eligible to serve as the formal primary PhD supervisor.
Give the supervisor five useful facts.
- A precise clinical or scientific question—not only a broad subspecialty.
- One or two sentences showing why the supervisor’s current work is relevant.
- Your degree, clinical role, research experience and strongest applicable method.
- Your preferred start period and honest funding position.
- A focused request: project fit, supervision availability or the correct doctoral route.
A concise enquiry template
Subject: PhD enquiry · [specific topic] · [your name]
Dear Professor [Name],
I am an orthopaedic clinician at [institution] exploring a doctoral project on [one-sentence question]. Your work on [specific verified project or method] is particularly relevant because [brief, genuine reason].
My background includes [degree/clinical role] and experience in [one or two relevant research methods]. I am hoping to begin around [month/year]. My funding position is [scholarship secured / applying for funding / seeking a funded vacancy].
Could you advise whether this question might fit your group and whether there is an appropriate doctoral route to explore?
Kind regards,
[Name]
[Institution and country]
Start light.
Unless the official call asks for more, attach a focused academic CV. Add a one-page concept note only when it materially clarifies the question. Do not send a generic long proposal to multiple supervisors or imply that you have read work you have not reviewed.