Hi there
I'm a second year phd student but I spent the first year doing rotations so im technically first year, having my viva in May. My project isnt going very well as I've been unable to make the cell lines required for my screen. I've been troubleshooting this for well over 6 months and its not the first time I've got a project that tripped up at 'boring' parts of the project. Previously I was trying to set up a knockdown experiment but could never clone my vectors, then I had a protein interaction project with a protein that could not be detected by the antibodies. Other people try it too and they fail so its not just me, but I feel like I don't have much 'luck' in lab, nor am i very passionate about what im working on any more. I'm not very smart either.

I'd really like to quit my phd but the thing is I am being funded by a scholarship that paid for my undergrad and phd studies, so if I end my phd, I have to pay the undergrad part as well. it amounts to quite alot as they were very generous with funding (about quarter million pounds) and I dont know if I can pay it in installments like a loan. also if I dont pay everything off I might be able to work for them for 5 years, but it would be in an admin role which means I probably wouldnt be able to do anything sci related like medical writing or editorial stuff later on (i think)

also i dont know how future employers would view the move to quit my phd / scholarship.

I dont know whether i should continue, or tell the viva examiners to fail me so that i don't have to continue my phd. i dont know who to talk to without causing a fuss and alarming people (in case I decide to continue in the end). any advice? please?

This is really a decision you have to make yourself. Try talking to your graduate school advisor?

Hi Storfisk,

Are you sure you want to quit? Might you benefit from having a week or so holiday and coming back with a fresh head? If you're sure or pretty certain, I'd suggest talking to your advisor.

If you do decide to quit...

I know someone who quit their PhD (engineering) and he is very successful. Apparently it was no problem with potential employers for him. At the end of the day, people do realise things are not for them. And no doubt you will have gained some valuable experience/skills from the last 2 years.

Re the funding repayments. Are you sure?! I have never heard of this. My Masters was funded by the same studentship as I am now on for my PhD. And if I quit at any time I am not obligated to pay anything back. Equally, if you were asked to stop because you weren't meeting the standard, you could not be expected to pay anything back. The only thing that would need to be paid back as far as mine is concerned is if I had received a payment for that month and I had quit/was in the process of quitting. Then I would have to pay back that month. This is outlined in my funding guidance. Do you have a similar guidance document you can check? Otherwise, ask your advisor.

Good luck with everything.

Tudor.

I'm 3.5 years into my PhD, and about to resubmit after an R+R verdict at the back end of last year.

I've thought about quitting roughly 25-30 times. Once a month or so. However, I knew I'd regret it. Even if I don't end up working in academia, I would have kicked myself forever if I started a PhD but didn't finish it.

Not everyone is the same. I'm stubborn to a fault, and am not suggesting that quitting is the wrong thing to do. Just ask if you've got a concrete backup plan, and if you haven't, I'd soldier on until you do.

Absolutely agree with Mr Doctor!

I wasn't implying that. I was only asking, as it would affect my choice. I would definitely plow on vs pay back.