Hi there,

From my experience, 'critical questions' related to the literature review really pertain to the framing/originality of your research question. For example, whereas X and Y identify this, my research identifies a gap/builds upon a key concept... It's about interrogating and building on gaps in research, and how they have led you to your research question. You might have texts you think you can expand on, or some you wish to contest.

You say your topic is clearly defined, so I think it might be helpful to look at it through the lens of hindsight - how was the topic formed, and which critical literature helped that process? How did you engage with the literature in your field to come to your question? The good news is you have your topic (that is the hard part!) - now you just have to set this process out for your reader.

Best of luck!

Thanks very much - so useful to have this advice on board. I am re-inspired to keep searching, and keep connecting!

Thanks for these replies - great to have some insight

Tru: My colleagues and ex-PhD supervisor really are excellent and always let me know about any jobs they hear of.It just seems that the competition is so fierce, and there is nothing to differentiate a relatively new doctor from a very experienced applicant in the application process. The jobs I am applying for are jobs my former supervisor would be applying for... It's interesting you say that most jobs aren't advertised though - do you think this applies across the board for academic positions? So they are filled internally usually? The idea of the career mentor is really good, and I will work on making those connections.

TreeofLife and theEngineer - thanks for sharing your stories too. Looks like networking is everything (as in a lot of jobs I guess!)

newlease36: Thanks very much for your suggestions and your words of encouragement, really appreciated. Congratulations at being at the stage of finishing up your PhD, and I wish you all the best for completion and in your job search.

:)

Hi to both, and thanks for taking the time to write a reply.

Something I should have qualified was by 'secure academic post', I mean a contract which lasts longer than a year. Which probably is not 'secure', but seems so from my current situation! At the moment I am on four-monthly contracts which only last as long as each semester, between which I have to fly nearly 10 000 miles across the world, find apartments, buy/sell furniture etc. I really appreciate having the opportunity to do these short contracts (as I said, I love my teaching), but this transitional lifestyle really gets exhausting and is quite isolating as you are never in the same place long enough to make lasting personal and professional relationships.

Bewildered: I've applied to all kinds of teaching fellowships/postdocs etc. but again - not even reached interview. When I did my detective work, I found out each time the person employed had 5+ years of experience post-PhD, or - more often than not - has close prior links with the University. Which makes sense - it's just I'm not sure how to get the first step on the ladder as it were. That age-old problem of how to get experience without getting the job, and how to get the job without the experience! It's good to know you set a deadline, and thanks for recommending the resources on Versatile PhD. It sounds like the thing to do is continue working on my publication record (which I am) but it feels like I'm against the clock on this one.

Thanks again for your replies and insight. Really appreciate it.

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all doing well wherever you are in your postgrad journey.

I'm just posting here in the hopes that someone can share some insight/advice about my position.

I'm British and last year, completed a PhD in Arts in Australia. During the PhD candidature, I did everything recommended for finding a post (teaching, presenting at conferences, a publication). Now, over a year after submitting my PhD (and nearly 18 months of applications), I feel further than ever from finding a secure academic post. I've been doing short-contract University tutoring (which I love, though its financially difficult to be out of work for a large portion of the year) but have never even been asked to interview for the many many many diverse more longterm academic jobs I've applied for.

I never expected it to be easy, but I'm at the stage now when I'm thinking - how likely is it really to get a first academic post with a PhD in Arts? How long do you search/apply before you decide to look down a different path? Did anyone else try to get into academia, and end up transferring their skills elsewhere?

Thanks in advance for your insight

:)