Yiha, I found a few PhD positions right within my interest. They do include funding alternatives to NERC, for which I don't qualify. And the profs supporting these projects tell me I need to apply, given my background. I'm trying to write a research statement at the moment and am wondering what should go in it.

From what I read online:
1. general summary of my research interests
2. the big research projects I worked on: methodology, theory, outcome
3. how this fits into ongoing research on that topic
4. publications
5. sumary of why I want to do this project and how it fits into my overall development

about 1. no problem
about 2. that would be my bachelors and both master theses (yes, I have two). Plus, as I'm out of university for quite a few years the work relevant to my research interest I've been doing since then I suppose <- only the work absolutely relevant to the PhD project I suppose as all other things will be in my CV anyway. On the professional part I need to stay somewhat vague as I had to sign various confidentiality agreements on not giving out too much information.
about 3. hmm.. I really have to think about that, especially as I don't have access to scientific papers.
about 4. All professional publications are internal and not publically available. Plus I think it's common in the UK to publish papers on ones theses. Unfortunately, that's not the case in the country I studied. Leave this out completely and hope for the best?
about 5. no problem

Does this make sense?

Cheers.

I think the structure is ok. Nobody expects you to have publications and I think it is also not usual that theses get published. Sometimes, depending on the field, but for sure not always. No worries.

I think the most important thing is that you be precise and relatively short without a lot of bla bla. Just the important facts and goals without long-winded personal stories. Most Professors have a bunch of applications to read and are happy if you save them some time. My supervisors told me that a master student should not write more than 1.5 to 2 pages in a research statement as you simply haven't done so much research that it would justify more than that. If you already do your third post doc, you probably have more to tell :)

- Short description ofyour research interest and why it is your interest

- Previous and ongoing research projects ( here you can explain what you learnt so far to pursue this research interest. Here I would focus on your contribution and the methodology you acquired. I would be rather short about the project background, so no long stories about e.g. protein xyz ;) )

- Future plans (Here you can explain what you are planning for te next years, why you think that position suits your plans and shortly summarize your key skills that are essential for the success of that project and that make you a good choice.

That's how I did it.

It's really very informative that I wanted ever, thanks for this.Mobility And Accessibility For Everyone!

Great, thanks a lot Dunham! I'm not a bla bla person, thus I'm always a bit worried that I'm not writing enough. But anyway, I should not use a 10 point font anyway unless I submit a magnifying glass together with the statement :)