Dr Rui Monteiro
University of Birmingham

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

Supportive, goal-driven, organised.

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

Provision of training:

Your training will be supervised by myself and/or an experienced post-doc with the expectation that you will develop your independence to perform the required techniques without supervision later.

Progression monitoring and management:

I like to be kept up to date and will arrange for regular discussions on a weekly basis at lab meeting. Together with the student, we will arrange for regular one-to-one meetings to discuss data and plan experiments for the next few weeks; I will expect you to take ownership of your progression but come to me/postdoc when you need help troubleshooting.

Communication:

I am known to email my team/PhD students outside of core working hours, however I will not expect you to do the same. We have communication via WhatsApp, Slack or Microsoft Teams to allow for some flexibility (e.g. deadlines for submitting papers or grants). Although I expect you to keep up with communications, I encourage people to manage their work/life balance.

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 fortnight

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 fortnight

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 fortnight

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.