“A PhD is hard. But a good supervisor makes it much easier,” says Emma Kathryn White, a PhD student in infrastructure engineering at the University of Melbourne.

As someone who is nearly at the end of my PhD, I could not agree more. But what does ‘good’ mean in this context?

‘Good’ is almost always mean ‘having a confluence of research interests’. Doing a PhD is a non-zero-sum game between you and your supervisor, with one important condition. There should be some compatibility between your research interest. If not, both get zero.

In fact, about half of PhD candidates in North America fail to finish their degree, often due to these incompatibilities between the students and the supervisor.

This makes it essential to ask: How do I choose an academic supervisor who shares the same research interests as me?

Phase 1: Do Your Research

Get Clear on Your Interests

Before you start looking for supervisors, get a clear idea on what excites you academically. You’ve likely thought about this already, but many students skip this step—and it can cost you time later.

The best thing to do is to pick a couple of research areas you’d be happy exploring for the next 4–5 years. For example, if you’re considering a PhD in humanities, arts, or social sciences, try to develop a rough project idea or research questions before contacting potential supervisors. It will make your conversations more meaningful.

But do not try to narrow down your research interests too much at this point. You can always do that in the meeting stage.

So keep your opportunities reasonably open.

Identify Shared Research Interests

But you should have some middle ground with your supervisor to initiate a discussion–that your prospective supervisor has at least some interest in the area you want to study. Start by:

• Checking their personal or lab websites
• Reviewing publications on Google Scholar or ResearchGate

One thing to keep in mind is that recent publications might not be the lab’s current research directions, especially in fields like life sciences, where the senior author appears last. This is where you have to do some work. Go through the publications over a couple of years and try to map where the current research is heading.

Again, stay flexible—your dream project may not be running in a lab yet, but a good supervisor might be open to exploring new directions with you.

Finally, check resources and facilities. Make sure the lab has what you need (e.g., SEM or XRD in materials science). If something is missing, ask about collaborations. Departments often have a “facilities” page—don’t skip it. If you do not think there’s a lack of facilities to do the kind of projects you want to do, check if they are available anywhere else in the department. Reaching out to the graduate secretary of the department is the best way to get this information.

Talk to Trusted Sources

Learning about supervisors from reliable sources is another effective step in choosing an academic supervisor. Because Insider information can help you make a more informed choice. If you are currently in the same university as your interested professor, this is much simpler. Your current professors, advisors, or colleagues may:

• Know the supervisor personally
• Be aware of open positions or projects
• Give honest insights into the lab culture

Even if you are in a different university, a different country, there are many ways to get this information. Social media platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter can also connect you with mutual contacts who know the supervisor.

Get to Know Students in the Lab

Current students are your window into what it’s really like to work with a supervisor. It’s best if you can arrange a casual meeting with them. I’ve seen many students doing this nowadays to make a more accurate decision. But this might not be possible for you. In that case, reach out via email and ask focused questions, like:

• How often do you meet with your supervisor?
• How long does feedback usually take?
• What’s the lab culture like?
• How does your supervisor handle setbacks or personal interruptions?

Former students can provide perspective on long-term outcomes. Check lab websites or LinkedIn to find them. They can also give insights from having completed the process, sometimes more honestly than current students. Reading their acknowledgments in theses can reveal how involved the supervisor really is.

Align Expectations

Before joining a PhD program, it’s essential to align your expectations with your supervisor. Think about:

• How much guidance do you want?
• Are you comfortable with independent work, or do you prefer structure?
• Funding: Is there a livable stipend? Is there a contingency if funds run low?
• Publication expectations: how many papers will you need to publish, and where?
• Professional development: mentoring, workshops, outreach, or industry opportunities

Being upfront about these issues will save headaches later.

Phase 2: Interview or Direct Communication

Even if there’s no formal interview, you can always reach out via email or schedule a meeting. Treat it as a two-way interview. You should be interviewing the supervisor as much as they are interviewing you.

• Prepare questions about lab culture, research directions, and desired student qualities
• Be yourself—don’t try to act like the “perfect candidate”
• Focus on understanding if their supervision style matches your working style

Ask things like:

• What do you look for in a student?
• How do you support students with non-academic career goals?
• What kind of qualities do students need to succeed in your group?

Phase 3: Look Beyond the PhD

A PhD isn’t just about finishing a thesis; it’s about developing as a scientist and professional. Look for a supervisor who:

• Supports skills development beyond research, like seminars, workshops, or advanced training
• Prioritizes integrity over just publishing papers
• Matches your preferred working style (structured vs. independent, lab hours, flexibility)

Think about the supervisor’s career stage too. This is not something that I thought about before choosing my supervisor. There is no reason for you to worry about this too much. Because it does not affect whatever trajectory you chose for yourself, nonetheless, it might be useful to know the difference:

• Early-career supervisors: energetic and innovative, but less experienced. It’s best to ask about the funding opportunities before joining the group. The projects are almost new. More wiggle room for you to make them your own. But takes some time to align them in the right direction.
• Mid-career: balance between experience and energy. They probably have long-term projects that some people have already shaped down the road.
• Late-career: strong networks and established protocols, but possibly less interest in high-impact publishing

Also consider group dynamics. This is worthy of a separate blog post, but in brief:

• Large labs: more collaboration, but less direct access to your supervisor. Sometimes, you get to meet your supervisor twice a week. If you like working alone for longer periods of time with little supervision, this is the best option.
• Small labs: closer guidance, potentially more freedom, but fewer collaborative opportunities. You will probably be doing your project alone. But you can reach out to your supervisor whenever you want (Pro tip: if you are an extroverted person, this might not be the best option for you!).

Follow Your Instincts

Every interaction—from emails to meetings—is data. But your gut feeling matters too. If you leave a conversation thinking, “I can’t wait to work with them!” that’s a positive sign. If you’re making excuses for red flags, pay attention.

This is why having a one-to-one meeting is extremely important. After all, this is a collaboration. It goes both ways. I can not emphasize this fact enough. If you have only one option, but you don’t think it’s a good fit, it’s exponentially better to wait another semester.

Reiterate the Process

Don’t rush. Repeat this research, communication, and evaluation process with multiple potential supervisors. Compare their work styles, lab cultures, expectations, and resources.

Even a “failed” supervisor search is far better than committing to a poor fit—it saves years of frustration and stress.

Final Words

A PhD can be a life-changing experience, but your supervisor plays a huge role in shaping that journey. Take your time, do your homework, talk to students, and trust your instincts.

Once you’ve done this, you can start your PhD knowing you’ve picked a supervisor who’s not only there to guide your research but also to support your growth as a professional.

Good luck with your applications!