Researchers: How should I answer these questions?

Question

I just got selected for the second found of interviews for a PhD project. I need help: Any points you think i should cover when answering these questions? I was told to write 1/2 a page, can I write more?

1. Detail the questions that particularly interest you
2. Why you would like to undertake such a project? And how your previous research prepares you for this project in particular?
3. Please also point out at where you think to encounter difficulties. And what could be done to help you overcome these (requirement for trainings, access to special techniques etc)
4. What prerequisites do you would need etc? (I am not sure the point of this question)

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi again,

I'm happy to see that you have had some success.

As usual, it's best if you draft something and then we comment on it.

Do you mean half a page in total, or for each question? Anyway, don't write more than they want. They obviously want to see if you have a clear, concise and incisive mind.

Clive

L Winterbourne · Answer

1. Why would you like to undertake such a project? Detail the questions that particularly interest you.
From a public health perspective, antibody specificity is a critical factor for a variety of human pathologies, including allergies, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, and many forms of cancer. Determining the causal underlying cellular and molecular processes that regulate clonal selection and lead to allergic phenotypes is critical if we are to meet the growing healthcare needs of hypersensitive patients. I am particularly interested in your project because of your integrated, multidisciplinary approach to the study of the allergic immune response. Furthermore, your use of sophisticated data based approaches allows grouping of individuals over several variables to yield descriptive information.
IgE antibody function via the binding of FcRs has been shown to promote inflammation, anaphylaxis, and Th2 polarization in atopic individuals. The exact effector mechanisms have yet to be comprehensively described. As part of my research project, I would like to investigate several factors in hypersensitive patients including levels of circulating antibodies, SNP, and binding affinity for IgE and corresponding receptors. By coupling this data with current knowledge of FcR polymorphisms, I hope to define the sensitizing milieu and elucidate the role of additional cell types implicated in allergic patients.
Additionally, I would like to consider the temporal changes of cytokine and chemokine secretions using XY tubes. It has been shown that the allergic phenotype can vary depending on age and time of initial sensitization. Depending on the scope of this project and availability of data, I would be interested in further investigating why this trend is observed. Furthermore, by analyzing the secretory profiles of samples taken from XY experiments, one may decipher the changes in cell recruitment and transcription based on knowledge cell signaling pathways.

2. How has your previous research prepared you for this project in particular?
My previous research has been focused on fully preparing me for this project. I have work on several interdisciplinary projects and played a key role in the execution of these research aims. Through these experiences, I have learned how to link complex data, approach a research questions for different perspectives, and master technical proficiencies necessary to execute this project. In addition, I am able to perform various statistical analyses that will allow me to work with the metadata collected by XYZ.

3. Please point out where you think to encounter difficulties and what could be done to help you overcome these (requirement for trainings, access to special techniques etc.)
As a Ph.D. student, I may encounter difficulties resisting my natural urge to explore how my research may relate to other pathologies. I believe this can be avoiding through careful planning, determining what resources I have available, and creating a clearly defined research aim.

4. What prerequisites do you need?
Although I have been introduced to flow cytometry, and how to analyze the resulting plots, I have yet to perform these experiments myself. I would require training in these particular protocols including how to set parameters for analysis. Furthermore, I am specifically familiar with FACS analysis and would need to training in other applications of this technology.

Blue Jay · Answer

1. Why would you like to undertake such a project? Detail the questions that particularly interest you.
From a public health perspective, antibody specificity is a critical factor for a variety of human pathologies, including allergies, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic diseases, and many forms of cancer. Determining the causal (causal factors or causes) underlying cellular and molecular processes that regulate clonal selection and lead to allergic phenotypes is critical if we are to meet the growing healthcare needs of hypersensitive patients. I am particularly interested in your project because of your integrated, multidisciplinary approach to the study of the allergic immune response. Furthermore, your use of sophisticated data based approaches allows grouping of individuals over several variables to yield descriptive information.
IgE antibody function via the binding of FcRs has been shown to promote inflammation, anaphylaxis, and Th2 polarization in atopic individuals. The exact effector mechanisms have yet to be comprehensively described. As part of my research project, I would like to investigate several factors in hypersensitive patients including levels of circulating antibodies, SNP, and binding affinity for IgE and corresponding receptors. By coupling this data with current knowledge of FcR polymorphisms, I hope to define the sensitizing milieu and elucidate the role of additional cell types implicated in allergic patients.
Additionally, I would like to consider the temporal changes of cytokine and chemokine secretions using XY tubes. It has been shown that the allergic phenotype can vary depending on age and time (would age and time have a clear meaning to a better informed reader here?) of initial sensitization. Depending on the scope of this project and availability of data, I would be interested in further investigating why this trend is observed. Furthermore, by analyzing the secretory profiles of samples taken from XY experiments, one may decipher the changes in cell recruitment and transcription based on knowledge cell signaling pathways.

2. How has your previous research prepared you for this project in particular?
My previous research has been focused on fully preparing me for this project. I have worked on several interdisciplinary projects and played a key role in the execution of these research aims. Through these experiences, I have learned how to link complex data, approach a research questions for (from) different perspectives, and master (the (optional)) technical proficiencies (I think of proficiency as uncountable, but proficiencies seems to be in use in academia) necessary to execute this project. In addition, I am able to perform various statistical analyses that will allow me to work with the metadata collected by XYZ.

3. Please point out where you think to encounter difficulties and what could be done to help you overcome these (requirement for trainings, access to special techniques etc.)
As a Ph.D. student, I may encounter difficulties resisting my natural urge to explore how my research may relate to other pathologies. I believe this can be avoiding through careful planning, determining what resources I have available, and creating a clearly defined research aim.

4. What prerequisites do you need?
Although I have been introduced to flow cytometry, and how to analyze the resulting plots, I have yet to perform these experiments myself. I would require training in these particular protocols including how to set parameters for analysis. Furthermore, I am specifically familiar with FACS analysis and would need to (delete to, or write to undergo) training in other applications of this technology.

I am a layman, so I can't comment on the technical terms.
Overall, it looks very impressive. I hope you get the position.

Clive · Answer

Here are a few more general comments for you to consider.

1. Why would you like to undertake such a project? Detail the questions that particularly interest you.

Is this section the right length?

For 'detail the questions', you might create a list of actual questions, ie formatted as real questtons.

This might show sharper, more concise thinking.

2. How has your previous research prepared you for this project in particular?

Is this answer perhaps a bit too general and generic?

3. Please point out where you think to encounter difficulties and what could be done to help you overcome these (requirement for trainings, access to special techniques etc.)
Sane comment as for #2

4. What prerequisites do you need?

OK

Clive

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