Personally I can't wait to get the Dr title and I shall definitely be using it. I want to stay in academia anyway so maybe it's more relevant but even if it's not I will have earned it and therefore will be using it :)

Hi, we can't really help you here. You need to look through publications that you like and find research groups you are interested in and contact the academics. You can also look through the site and see if any PhDs in your field are advertised already. Good luck with your search!

Seriously, don't stress! Every first year student feels like this. It will get better. I've just started my third year and I still don't feel like I know enough! I think it's a sign of a good student (at least I hope it is!) as it makes you work harder to obtain knowledge.

Most people do very little in the first year and your supervisors would have told you by now if this little wasn't enough.

My advice would be: Don't tell people you're nervous, then pretend you're not. Fake it. It really does work. I hate giving presentations too but it's an essential component of academia. You probably will get asked questions you can't answer, that's ok, just say you're not sure but based on your reading of the literature you would think... You'll be fine I'm sure. Good Luck!

My experience of academia in the UK (sciences) is that it is very relaxed ie there is no proper start or finishing time, noone is monitoring days off or holidays and in general students and post docs are just trusted not to abuse this freedom and just get their work done. I really appreciate this flexibility and find it makes me more productive.

Do other people have this experience? I know it's very different in the US, but what about in other European countries or in other parts of the world?

I believe the research belongs to the university and they can do what they want with it...

Can you check the documents you signed when you started?

There should also be another academic in your university who provides advice in these situations so you should consider contacting them.

I think we are all going to be stuck in the postdoc after postdoc boat for a while!

I would say keep looking for jobs and consider looking for your next postdoc in a different place so that you can get some publications.

Try http://www.fulbright.org.uk/ it's got lots of good info about US study

I think you might be a bit confused as to what a PhD is. It's not like an undergraduate course where you have lectures - in the UK it's a research project where you may work completely unaided investigating a topic or addressing a certain gap in the literature. In most cases there are no compulsory lectures at all. You have one or two supervisors to guide you, but their input varies depending on their style, the discipline and the university. Fees are normally £3 k to £8 k per year. The thesis is normally 50,000 to 80,000 words.

I think you will find it difficult to get another PhD when you already have one. Why not apply for a postdoc? IT will be pretty similar to a PhD I think

Yay, finally an update :) I like it

Generally if the PhD is funded they will want you to start in October (mainly for the convenience) however there will be exceptions to this that will depend on the university and the supervisors. Many international students start throughout the year so there is some flexibility. There will also be other funded positions that crop up from throughout the year that may have start dates other than October.

My interpretation of PhD interviews is that they are similar to applying for any job. If you meet the basic criteria, then all you need to do is get them to like you and the PhD is yours... :) Sounds easy right? It is if you do your homework on the uni, supervisors, research area and background to the project. Demonstrate abilities in other non-academic areas such as management, training, coaching etc plus desirable qualities such as capacity to be proactive, reasonable and a good team worker also helps.

I think firsts or distinctions are looked upon more favorably and a personal recommendation from a respected colleague goes a long way too. There will be favouritism involved of course - if a supervisor likes you and knows what you are capable of already it's irrelevant whether you have a 2.1 and someone they dislike has a first. Harsh but true.

When considering PhDs to apply for the university is important (research record plus location) but supervisor and projects can be equally important as well depending on the type of person you are. A little positivity and enthusiasm goes a long way so don't be disheartened by your manager's comments. If you believe you can do it then you probably can. Good luck!

Hi

Yes studentships do come up all throughout the year but I believe the peak time is nov to Jan.

I know people that applied july/aug/sept and started in october the same year so don't worry that no more will be available, they will.

They just might not be the most exciting projects maybe .

Hi,

I've never heard of this before but surely it's going to be something like 30 mins of lab work or genetics problems to check you know the practical side of things rather than just the theory?

Hi, thanks for the replies.

Yeah I am fully funded but I know they don't pay for conferences. They have told me before to join these things but don't know how to do it and I don't feel like I can now say that I haven't joined and don't know how to lol.

Has anyone obtained funding for travel expenses etc from any other sources apart from their own department ?