A research career begins with research: you have to find the right graduate programme for you. I don't know how many hours I spent on the Internet searching for the ideal position. Months elapsed before I dared send a letter. Why so long? Mainly because of two simple questions.

First: what is the ideal graduate programme? Quite a few factors matter. The programme's scientific scope, quality and reputation are, of course, very important. Political atmosphere in the country you're considering, distance from home and accommodation are equally essential. Salary and career opportunities also matter. But for me, it was the second question that was more important — and the hardest to ask. Am I good enough to apply successfully?

When I first noticed the post I'm now in, I was immediately excited. I wanted to get it. After that, the application period was governed by doubt. Was I the ideal student for this position? What about the level of competition?

Most graduate opportunities are now advertised globally. The number of people competing for a post can be huge. So a feeling of insecurity is natural. The best way to deal with doubt is to fill in the application, send it off, and try not to think too much about the response.