Dr Manuel Banzhaf
University of Birmingham

Who is your scientific inspiration and why?

I am inspired by our surrounding nature, as it’s amazing how anything living always finds clever solutions to stay alive.

In three words or phrases how would you describe your supervision style?

I try to mentor my PhD students to help them to achieve their goals. In that process I try to be supportive and challenging, but at the end of the day it will be your PhD and you have to be self-driven.

In one or two sentences please describe your strategies regarding the following.

Provision of training:

It important that the training provided suits your personality and your previous skills. At the start we can discuss how much supervision you want/need and we take it from there.

Progression monitoring and management:

As I am still close to the laboratory we will likely daily interact. However, there will be a formal process of monthly meetings and reports. This will help us both to stay on track and highlight potential problems with the project early on.

Communication:

Science is all about communication. It’s important that we regularly communicate about the project and your work environment. I don’t mind if experiments fail, it happens all the time.

How often do your PhD students see you in a timetabled group meeting?

At least once per week

In year 1 of PhD study, how often do your PhD students have a scheduled >30 minute 1:1 meeting with you?

At least once per week

In year 2 of PhD study, how often do your PhD students have a scheduled >30 minute 1:1 meeting with you?

At least once per week

In year 3 of PhD study, how often do your PhD students have a scheduled >30 minute 1:1 meeting with you?

At least once per week

What form do your 1:1 meetings with PhD students take?

Face to face (if allowed under current health and safety advice)

Open door policy?

Yes, I am usually contactable for an instant response (if required) on every working day.

My expectation of PhD student working patterns?

The timing of work in my lab is completely flexible, and (other than attending pre-arranged meetings), I expect students to manage their own time.

Notice for feedback (e.g. on reports, manuscript drafts, thesis chapters)?

I need at least 1 week’s notice to provide feedback on written work of up to 5000 words.