By Alex Andrews

Friday 8 December 2017 • Reading time: 2 minutes

Alex Andrews is working on a PhD in pathogens. In this video he explains his research in 60 seconds, and below he writes about life as a PhD student

The reason I decided to undertake my PhD was ultimately to follow a career in scientific research. After receiving my scholarship, this is now what I do for a day job. I work in an international, multidisciplinary research department that collectively works to contribute to the cutting edge of scientific understanding and research.

Although I work under an experienced supervisory team, the PhD research environment is very much self-driven – no two days are the same.

In the last two years I have visited several conferences, both in the UK and abroad, to present my work to an international audience. I’ve also been given ample teaching opportunities – I’ve been able to demonstrate laboratory techniques and give lectures to undergraduate students.

As well as the academic side of a PhD, I have also been involved scientific outreach, where we communicate our research to the general public. This has involved everything from talking about my PhD in a pub, to giving lectures and making the video you see above.

Studying a PhD is definitely not for the faint-hearted. But how many people get to say that they are an actual scientist?

Interested in studying a PhD? Find out more.