I am in the process, and have submitted a few phd applications for this year, mainly in the area of medical genetics. I have a 1st in forensic science and in the process of completing a MSc in a biological forensic discipline.

I guess my real question is should I sacrifice my real desire to pursue a forensic DNA type degree and accept that a medical genetic PhD will offer valuable technical and research skills, using some similar processes and of course be fully funded?

The main problem is the sheer lack of funding in the forensic area... I have been corresponding with profs in various institutions throughout the UK for several months, and they do tell a similar tale of inadequate funding and difficulty in generating research phds in this area.... I was offered a DNA forensic post with a well known uk group after my BSc, and am considering applying after my MSc, and trying to obtain on the job skills whilst pursuing and searching for upcoming PhDs next year....

I am a bit of a quandary, any advice?

Assuming that a medical genetic PhD allows you to get a post-doc in forensic DNA post doc, I would say GO for it.

I am doing my PhD in a very specialised area that I love, but I am aware that once it is over I will have to move to other research areas, and this is the case with most academic staff in my department. And it actually offers valuable lessons because you can transfer methods from one discipline to the other.

Thanks Jekyll!

This was kinda the impression I was getting from a few people I have spoken too... Where there is no or very limited funding in 'your' area, it may be necessary to study in a subject that is applicable in many aspects but just not maybe the subject that you love!

Tough decisions I just hope that I will have the wherewithal to finish a PhD in a subject that's not my real desire, but gets me close enough to the same goal, or thereabouts!


cheers!

My PhD was in a subject I had never even heard of before! I saw the advert for it, realised that all the skills I had accumulated in my degree/masters fitted well, and applied for it. On my first day, I remember wondering what the hell I had done as I wasn't in the least bit familiar with any of the material, papers etc. However, after a few weeks of getting into it I really relished learning a completely new topic and immersing myself in something new. I never became truly passionate about my topic, but I enjoyed it and got a PhD out of it - it was means to an end for me, and I no longer work in a related field, but I needed a PhD to do what I really wanted to do.
So in my experience, it is possible to enjoy a PhD in a different field, and still feel fulfilled by the end of it. Just keep in mind your ultimate goal, and do your best to enjoy being able to study something different that you may not otherwise have had the opportunity to try!

What are your long term goals? As Smoobles says, a PhD in a topic not totally focussed on your main interest can still be a means to an ends. You might want to consider, however, that if there is a lack of funding at the PhD level in Forensic Biology might not bode well for further up the career ladder, and you might just have to accept this is a poorly funded field with finite job opportunities. So a highly relevant PhD might increase your chances of getting a post doc in that field, but only if post docs are available.

On one hand, consider that the actual topic may not really matter for most of your day to day work. Forensic biology or medical genetics - either way you might spend the bulk of your time running PCRs. On the other hand, some interest in your topic may be beneficial as far as motivation goes, particularly if/when the project hits difficulties.

Thanks guys, some good advice, love your approach smoobles, that made me chuckle a little because I just imagined that moment you were thinking... Oh dear god, what's this all about! Lol

And yes hazy I have an academic/research goal in mind, not necessarily in the uk - but your point about the daily tasks, that's the key point I think, the skills in medical genetics will be applicable in other disciplines, and learning the skills and techniques is the crucial thing to me! So yeah might be the best option...