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Assertiveness with supervisor
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Quote From helebon:


How do other postgrads handle supervisors who are like this?

Usually they cry and moan to their friends, then do their time and get the hell out of there.

Supervisor Question
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We can teach in the first year of our PhDs at my uni. We are only allowed to do 6 hours per week on average though so if you're trying to do more than that maybe that's why?

MBA or PGDM
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Well, an MBA is a masters degree and a diploma is a diploma, so...

Too ambitious?
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I've got a teaching position in genetics. I have got a bit of post doc experience and more papers than you though. Still, find the right uni and they are easy enough to get. They do seem to go to previous PhD students in the department though IMO. Suggesting a new module is a good idea; they will probably ask you about this at interview anyway. Oh, and be prepared to be treated as a second class academic, by students and lecturers alike. Pay is good though.

Question about the subject of a PhD (Psychology)
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It doesn't make a difference - it what you produce from the PhD that matters. You could have a PhD in Chemistry and work mostly on bacteria and then move to a Biology department and apply your chemical techniques to plants. It doesn't matter.

Dropping out of my PhD and reapplying elsewhere
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i think you need to be more assertive. What if you wait, and they don't give you feedback, and then you don't pass the transfer? They should want to you pass; they should be working with you all the way on this. I wouldn't rely on email. I would turn up at their door. I would also ask explicitly if the work is good enough to pass. I hope it goes well in any case.

PhD rejections
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I applied for 3 PhDs. 1, reject at interview; 2, heard nothing; 3, success.

I think it depends on field. Mine isn't very competitive.

I think you need to get people to review your applications and interview techniques - I can't see why you wouldn't be getting on to a PhD on the face of it. Maybe people are worried you are too "techy" and can't switch up to the independence of a PhD? Maybe there's something in your references putting people off? Ask to see them.

Dropping out of my PhD and reapplying elsewhere
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And how are you going to do that? That is what you need to find out - you can't just chance it and hope for the best. Get several people to review your work if possible.

who's in science??
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I wonder how many are STILL in science after 8 years? :P

Failed my PhD
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Check that you're eligible for the OIA though - often an ombudsman is the last report when all steps at resolution have been taken. You may not be at that stage yet.

First day of PhD but found out my stipend is 1500 e/month instead of 2800 e/month.
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Quote From mop2995:
In all fairness to the poster, I know someone who got the full Marie Curie monthly salary in the UK i.e. around 3k a month. So, the poster has a point. Doing a PhD is hard work. It's rewarding work, but living off 1.5k a month is pretty tight. Most of us have to subsidize with outside work.


If people can't live off £1500 pm they have a problem. I lived off £800 pm during my 4th year and I lived on my own in a 2 bed flat and I had a car.

Failed my PhD
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When you say fail, what do you mean? What outcome did you get the first time round, revise and resubmit? Did you make all the corrections they asked for and now they are asking for different ones? Have you published anything from your PhD? How was your performance in your viva? How was the content (not the writing) of your thesis? You need to seek advice from the student union. Read all the HR procedures about appeals etc online to see what else you have to do. Where are your supervisors in all this?

Dropping out of my PhD and reapplying elsewhere
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What is it you have to do in order to pass the transfer process then, if it's not just a timeline and chapter?

PhD Mentor
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You need to speak to your supervisor if you don't know how to start your research. Speak to the admin team if you want to do the training/mentoring stuff.

Dropping out of my PhD and reapplying elsewhere
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Evolet's a random poster - only 2 posts - I wouldn't expect much of a decent response from them.

You generally can't take projects with you when you move - the IP belongs to the supervisor and/or uni. Unless it was your idea, then it might be possible.

It's supervisor that gives your references - they will tell it like they see it no doubt. They will have to say you were on probation. It may mean you may struggle to be accepted.

What are your sticking points in passing probation? I would work to pass. Take advice from the head of department, or liaison officers or student union.