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PhD research plan

purpose and requirements

Astrid Aksnes, Professor

Dept. of Electronics and Telecommunications
IME Faculty, NTNU

Outline
Purpose of the PhD research plan
Requirements
Contents of the PhD research plan

Background
Objectives
Research topics
Research methodology
Work plan
References

Purpose of the PhD research plan

Develop a PhD project with realistic goals that can be achieved
within the timeframe of the PhD period (normally 3-4 years).
Ensure that the PhD student and PhD supervisor(s) are aligned
wrt goals of the project and the work plan/schedule.
Critically evaluate the overall objectives.
Identify necessary tools and infrastructure needed e.g.

hardware
software (e.g. design and simulation tools)
laboratory facilities and equipment
funding for e.g. equipment and travel

Plan research abroad (if relevant).

Enable the Department and Faculty to quality control the PhD
plans

Requirements
Provide a 5-10 page PhD research plan within 6 months
of being admitted to the PhD programme.
Develop the plan in cooperation with your supervisor(s).
Include the following points in the research plan:

Background
Objectives
Research topics
Research methodology
Work plan
References

Background

What is the motivation for this PhD project?

Which topics and challenges will be addressed?
Why are these topics of relevance (or interest)?
Describe concisely the state-of-the-art.
What will the PhD project address that goes beyond
the state-of-the-art?

Objectives
Describe precisely the academic objectives of the
PhD project (preferably in bullet form).
Formulate the objectives so that they can be verified.

Research topics
Describe the topics and challenges that will be
pursued in more detail.
Why?
What?
How?

If relevant
Who? (e.g. with collaborators)
Where? (e.g. NTNU Nanolab, St. Olavs hospital, Harvard Univ).

Briefly describe the tasks which must be performed to

achieve the objectives.

Research methodology
Describe the research methods that will be used to
achieve the objectives. Examples are
literature study, statistical analysis, modeling, numerical
techniques, simulations, design (HW and SW), experimental
techniques, testing and verification.

If experimental data will be used, describe the

experimental setup, acquisition strategy and the planned
methodology for analysis of the results.

If applicable, use a table to describe the research

methods for the specific research topics.

Research methodology example

Ref: Lukasz Paluchowski

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Work plan
Make a work plan/schedule for the PhD project
period. Include:
planned attendance at conferences and workshops
targeted journal articles
research studies abroad

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Work plan Gannt chart example

Ref: Lukasz Paluchowski

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References
Include references used in the description of the
state-of-the-art and elsewhere.

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Living document
Note that the project plan should be a living
document that is updated periodically.
The plan is an aid to achieve your objectives on time.

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Good luck!