Wait a minute, my last line sounds like another excuse for procrastination. Excellent...

Yep this is supposed to be fun! Yes some people have said that they wouldn't like London, and though maybe no one has said it about Sheffield it doesn't mean there aren't people who feel the same. I echo someone's comments a little while ago that with Sheffield I'd feel guilty about not visiting my folks at the same time (don't tell them...) :$

Not sure where this snobby and exclusive business comes into it. I'm just sad because I'm sure there will be lots of cool people at both, and one half would miss out. Oh well sounds like I'll have to go to both then!

Other than last-minute resignations etc, I would imagine that most Universities have their staff in place by now. I seem to remember more vacancies last February-April. But I'm sure the RAE has a big role to play too - because if they bring in new staff (especially young staff with few publications - like us!) then doesn't that dilute their publication/staff ratio or something. And plus project applications etc are pushed to one side until the RAE is out of the way.

Interestingly, there are a lot of US jobs at the moment. Something I've noticed is their deadlines are for Oct-Dec, for a start next Aug-Oct. Chatting to my supervisor he said that UK Universities would never show that kind of foresight...

I was thinking more so I could get a bit of work done first... :$

But then you'll only get to meet half the people (or according to the poll, we would miss out on seeing 34%...) :-(

My old UG supervisor said he would love to offer me a PhD but he thought you should gain experience working with different people, more contacts etc. I also think he didn't like my old University very much.

If a week day I'd suggest late afternoon...

The only people I know who have finished in 3 years are those who continued a project from a Masters (so in effect have done 4 years and were familiar with the area). I think the fact that NERC for example automatically offers an extra half year of funding is quite telling...

I wouldn't expect many publications within 3 years (especially not published in a prestigious journal - that could take three years to get through the process alone), and a day of teaching or employment is a day you have to add to the end of your PhD...

And its right - you can be the most productive worker, but if your supervisor sits on your chapter draft for 3 months...

That's the spirit Rubyw ;-)

When I got the offer for my current PhD, they asked me to give an answer in a few days, and to assure them that I had cancelled my other applications.

The great selection of local and international beers almost swung me, but I'm with you for London 404 8-) . Though I reckon the Olympics would have finished by the time we actually get round to it...

I thought we'd got past this? Anything we can help with?