[Astro] URGENT: Volunteers Needed for PhD Applicant Support TODAY

[Emma Chapman]

Hi everyone,

I currently have only one volunteer to help marshal the PhD applicants today. If any PhD students or postdocs can spare an hour to sit with them, it would be greatly appreciated.

You won’t need to do much—just be a friendly presence. The applicants have their timetables, so it’s mostly about pointing them in the right direction if needed. Feel free to bring your laptop to catch up on emails or a paper to read/edit while you're there.

We have biscuits, sweets, card games, and a jigsaw (the easiest one we have, so no accidental stress!). If a group of you want to take a break together, feel free to pop down and play a game while keeping them company.

I need coverage from 10:30 – 15:30 today and tomorrow, so please check in periodically and, if it’s quiet, consider joining for a bit. If you’re the last one there and need to leave, please find someone to take over. Sitting them alone for five hours is not a great look.

Thanks so much in advance for your help. Every year some of the main positive feedback is how friendly the department is—it really makes a difference!

A final reminder, everyone in A113 at 12pm please, if you can, for the short welcome talk and lunch.

Emma

P.S. You get lunch, doughnuts, and my undying gratitude!



From: Emma Chapman (staff) <ppzeoc at exmail.nottingham.ac.uk>
Date: Saturday, 22 February 2025 at 14:40
To: astro at nottingham.ac.uk <astro at nottingham.ac.uk>
Subject: PhD Helpers for Interview Days
Good afternoon,

Apologies for the short notice of this email – I just found it in my drafts while wondering why no one had replied, whoops.

We will have the PhD candidates with us on Monday 24th February and Tuesday 25th February.

Can I ask that everyone be present, if possible, in A113 at 12pm on both days. I’ll give a short ten-minute presentation and then there will be a buffet lunch. I’m not quite sure how far the food will go so please let the candidates and PhD helpers have first choice!

I’ll need a few helpers from the current PhD student cohort please, to sit downstairs and help point people to their one-to-ones and interviews. I’ll give you their timetables on the morning. Yannick and I will be interviewing in Nina’s office. I’ll need people 11am – 3pm but you’re of course welcome to tag in and out amongst yourselves. Postdocs please do go and have a cup of tea and make some conversation with them if you need a break. Can we please offer them tea and coffee during the day. I’ll bring in some milk, tea bags, oat milk, biscuits etc…

We’ve got 13 excellent candidates over the two days, and three positions to fill, I’m excited to meet them!

Kind regards,

Emma
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