How do doctoral studies differ from master’s studies?
I think it’s hard to compare master’s and doctoral studies. During the master’s period, one mostly acquires knowledge. At least in engineering schools, doctoral studies are not really about courses. In practice, doctoral students need to complete only 40 credits-worth of courses, which can be done in a few months. The remaining time is spent on research.
In doctoral studies students utilize their full potential and knowledge towards solving very important and challenging issues. We are doing science, aiming to publish as many papers as possible and can really make an impact on society and even humanity.
What is the best thing about doctoral studies?
To me, the best thing about a doctoral studies is the possibility to realise your dreams. We have few boundaries, especially in technical schools. It is possible to select from a wide variety of research directions, and it is very easy to go in another direction during your doctoral studies. Another great part of doing a PhD is the community. When one has challenges, or cannot find the answer to a question, there are always people around who will do their best to help and support you.
University is a perfect place for achieving a broader impact: we have very advanced equipment, the scientific community is a great environment for sharing experiences, and there are many funding opportunities available—which is very important. Thus, for some people, doctoral studies might become a combination of a job, hobby, and lifestyle for several years, which is great.
Have you gained international experience during your doctoral studies?
I attended an international summer school in Denmark at the beginning of my doctoral studies. It was scientifically very interesting and useful—it always broadens your mind when you see how other people do things. I had a research visit with collaborators in Belgium planned for 2020, but it was cancelled due to the Corona crisis. I still look forward to it once we can travel freely again.
I have attended large conferences in Boston, Nice and Berlin. All the conferences I attend are very large—with over 2,000 participants, and full of information, important contacts, and know-how. In conferences I most value the opportunity to introduce my research to a broader audience and get feedback right away, as well as networking, which might be even more useful in the long run. Very often the contacts you make at a conference evolve into solid collaboration.