4Matt & Ann... that's exactly what I will be doing... and why I asked my question regarding whether the later shift to data collection + experimental research would be an issue!

I don't think a PhD will be easy, it seems to be a very sensitive issue in here. I just happen to think that not every PhD path leads down the road of depression and self-harm.

I don't think suffering for suffering's own sake holds any purpose. If I have the skills to perform a task, and the task is completed then what's the issue? It doesn't degrade a piece of work. Value is assessed by a variety of means anyway - someone may fail a PhD but love what they gained from the experience up to that point. The fact that my interests coincide with my supervisor's is not a problem. I'm sure in a parallel universe somewhere they may be for another person... but not for me. If it is the case that I am left to rot after beginning a PhD then so be it, but it sounds pretty negative to assume that will be the case and that I ought to be suffering throughout.

My point was that I enjoy the work so far, but I am curious about what this means for future opportunities afterwards should I want to change paths, that is all.

Question: Is it wise to choose a PhD topic area for pragmatic reasons as opposed to awe-inspiring love for the proposed methodology?

I'm a science masters student and I've been offered the opportunity to take a PhD with an already collected data set. It would mean that I could churn out papers faster and work with a supervisor who is very ambitious and excellent at networking. He's already pushed me to collaborate with some big names in the field and I like feeling productive!

Now, the area is the one I'm interested in, however I may want to jump into experimental science after completing a PhD.... my question therefore is, is it possible to find a postdoc post in the experimental science side of my field after completing the proposed PhD? It would involve a shift in a slightly different direction within the same field.... would this be possible?