Sounds to me like you are in a situation that you are not in control of.  I was in a similar position in the first year of my PhD, but found that being just one step of everybody can keep you on top. Try and anticipate what people expect from you, write a quick plan and then stick to it - it works for me!  Become an expert in something than nobody else knows anything about, even if you think it may be perceived to be 'simple'. More than anything, pretend to be confident (even if you're not), it works wonders.  Best of luck!

Well done David, thanks for your advice too.

I presented my research at a national-level conference the other week, and I am 21 months into my PhD.  It wasn't so much the prestige of the event that I wanted for my thesis or CV, but rather the chance of talking to people in my research field who were there. I received some really good feedback regarding my oral presentation, and have improved my protocols as a result of listening to the advice.  You can take many positives from a conference, and it should also improve your confidence quite a bit; it did for me.  You should try to do at least one during your PhD; the earlier the better really, as you will have time to act on anyone's suggestions. Bets of luck! GinGa x

Hi Missspacey. Since posting this thread, I found a useful link on the New Zealand immigration website;

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/Administration/EmploymentFactSheets/06_UniversityLecturerAndPostDoctoralFellow_Education/UniversityLecturerAndPostDoctoralFellow.html


The link to the main immigration website is;

http://www.immigration.govt.nz/


Best of luck!

I have one year left before my viva, and am thinking about the possibility of a postdoctoral position in New Zealand after my PhD (human biological sciences, lab-based). I read on the NZ immigration website that 'postdoctoral fellow' is on the Immediate Skill Shortage List (as is 'university lecturer', if anyone's interested). I was wondering if anybody knows about how I may search for postdoc vacancies in New Zealand. Does anyone have any experience of research in NZ? Thanks and best wishes! Ginga x

In my first PhD, I was 2 hours away and commuted daily (sometimes 6 days per week). I reckon it took about 8 years off my life, and is why I only stuck it for just 9 months. I would never do that ever again. I am now in the second year of a new PhD that is 25 minutes away - much better for me! I would say that you should be able to get from door-to-door within an hour at the most. Gxx

I am using EndNote for referencing, and have never had any problems with it until now. I needed to change the Harvard style to Vancouver, which I have done without problem. However, I cannot get my numerical citations within the text to become superscripted, despite changing the font in the style manager. Any suggestions would be very welcome! Thanks Gxx

manda, please give me the details of this nasty individual. I would like nothing better than to put her in her place. I have been through this too, and found that, in my case, a few 'home truths' worked wonders. Usually, bullies will back down when confronted. It may be that your 'adopted' supervisor is having a bit of power trip because of this new role. My advice is to stand up to her; I am sure she will not want to be removed from her supervisory duties, as it is beneficial for her own CV, so you've nothing to lose. Good luck!

I left a fully-funded, full-time PhD after nine months because I really struggled to get a grip on it. After pouring my heart out to my former supervisors, who were absolutely fantastic, we agreed that I should leave. I ended up submitting an MRes, which I was duly awarded for my hard work in this first year. Now, I am in the second year of another PhD at a different institution, and I love it! My advice to you is see if you can submit an MRes and try another PhD elsewhere. To be unhappy for at least another 2.5 years will be misery for you. Good luck!

I am in the middle of writing-up my first year report for transferal from MPhil to PhD. The cell-culturing techniques that I have carried out were shown to me by a former colleague, who has now left our department. I would please like to know if anyone can recommend a really good reference source that I may cite to justify my laboratory culturing work in the report. Anyone got any suggestions? Thanks G i N g A xx

Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your input. I have read about stacking gels cc, but for now I am just interested in actually setting a single discontinuous gel to separate-out proteins in the sera samples. You are right about the toxicity of the reagents; they are unquestionably hazardous. My solution will be to use fresh TEMED, as my other chemicals are new. If that doesn't work, I will buy-in my gels ready made. I just wondered if anyone else had experienced this problem. Thanks again! GiNgAx

Thank you Tricky, much appreciated. Yes, I am using ammonium persulphate (1.0g), sodium dodecyl sulphate (1.0g), acrylamide (10.0g), dH2O (100 mL) and N,N,N',N'-TEMED (100 uL). I tried using more ammonium sulphate and more TEMED, but no difference in quality. I reckon the TEMED is too old, but I also read that oxygen can inhibit polymerization, which could also be a factor. Thanks again Gx.

I am trying to lab-cast an SDS-PAGE gel for the electrophoresis of human serum proteins. Despite several attempts, I have failed get my gel to set. I have achieved some degree of polymerization, but the solute does not become firm enough for the comb to leave an impression. I am using the old-style Perspex 'flat-bed' green electrophoresis apparatus, which is all we have in our lab. The TEMED I am using has been opened for over two years; would this affect my result? Do you think fresh TEMED will work? Please help! Thank you, GiNgA xx

so what's next for Dr. Fluffster?