Hi all, I finished my MSc in Molecular Biology in Sept 2007 with a distinction from Sussex Uni (71%) and have been looking for a PhD. Have applied to several places, gave an interview at QMUL but was ultimately rejected as I 'could have shown more interest in research, and particularly this project'. Now, after about 3 months of waiting, I've been invited to interview at Leeds University for a fully funded PhD studentship in the dept. of plant science. Have been told it is a panel interview that will last for about half an hour. This is literally my last chance to secure full funding (i'm in international student) this year and i'm really nervous about this interview. I've applied for 2 different projects in the plant sciences dept. and have not been specific info abt which i'm going to be interviewing for, i think it'll be both and i may have a chance to state my preference later. I've been in touch with one of the supervisors (whose project I prefer) and he's even sent me some papers and recent publications, saying that he did like my CV.

I've been reading up detailed info abt both projects, but any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm sure this would be quite competitive as well. Thanks!

You sound like a strong candidate. And the fact that you've been in contact with them is good - I know that my boss seems to be more impressed by job candidates who have made prior contact. I can't really think of anything else you could do at this stage apart from:
- practice your responses to likely interview questions (and get other academic friends to suggest to you some questions that you might not have thought of)
- make sure you're comfortable talking about your own research experience, and the strengths and weaknesses of past projects etc.
- try to work out what was meant at your previous interview about how you could 'have shown more interest in research, and particularly this project'. Was it something about your CV? Were you very nervous in the interview and didn't let your enthusiasm come across?
- see if you can find out who else is on the interview panel, and at least take a quick glance to see what their research interests are, as this may influence the angle they take with their questionning - you might also be able to throw in the odd comment in your responses that pique their interests.

Good luck(up)

Hey Hazyjane, thanks loads for your suggestions, I've been practicing mock interview questions and have found out some details about the panel interview as well, the panel will consist of three professors, all from the dept. of plant science. The admin staff told me that the interview would last for half an hour and I would be 'asked a range of questions to assess my background, knowledge, qualifications and interest in the project'. I've read up about both projects as much as possible, framed some questions that I could ask them and prepared to explain details of past projects, anything else i could do at all? :-)

The interview is on Thursday the 16th.. Thanks again! :-)

Do some research into the professors that will be on your panel.
Find out what they are into.
Get hold of their latest papers and read them.
Have some questions ready for them.
After all, you are going to be joining their department.