Overview of eng77

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eng77
Sunday, 8 January 2017 at 6:11pm
Wednesday, 27 May 2020 at 7:24pm
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page 1 of 20 recent posts

Thread: Starting after a decade

posted
30-Jun-20, 10:08
by eng77
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posted about 3 days ago
I would assume you are in the USA because you mentioned course work and "fall". If I were you, I would start some online courses in coursera then try to do as good as possible in the PhD work. It is too early to think about Postdoc opportunities now. Just try to do your best, concentrate and publish. Publication is one metric of how good the PhD work was. At least for someone who is not closely involved in your research, publications might be the only way to assess your work.

Thread: Industrial postdoc interview

posted
29-Jun-20, 14:07
edited about 5 seconds later
by eng77
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posted about 4 days ago
Hi. Congratulation for moving into next step.
1st Question. I have felt during my interviews that mastering what you know and what you wrote in CV is more important than brief knowledge of other skills. Try to be confident in talking about your skills and understand what you wrote in CV and try to make them focus on these skills. If they ask a question about another skill, you can simply say I do not know.
2nd Question. You can focus on the methodology and know precisely any shortcoming in using these methodologies. You can "criticise" your work in the presentation admitting the shortcomings because of limited time or lack of resources/data.Or you can expect their questions and criticism and prepare appropriate answers. You could admit that PhD and academic research are not perfect and to achieve better results, other things have to be taken care of (which might be the case somehow in industrial research).
The question why do you want to move to industry is more likely to be asked again in person. So state clearly your goals without exaggerating stating pros and cons for both academia and industry in a fair way.

Thread: Lectureship v postdoc - advice please

posted
29-Jun-20, 12:52
edited about 17 seconds later
by eng77
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posted about 4 days ago
Hi TQ. I think taking a teaching role is not a bad option if there are no research roles available. If the next potential employer thinks it is a bit weird to seek a Postdoc role, it is not the end of the world. They usually ask questions regarding career shift and this sort of stuff. They must have seen weirder so do not worry.
If I have stayed in academia, my dream job would have been 80% research and 20% teaching. Is there any information about research in these teaching jobs? or are they purely lecturing?
By the way, in my circle of academia there are several Postdocs who managed to secure a permanent research role after a few temporary Postdocs. It is not rare.

Thread: How important is the internal examiner

posted
26-Jun-20, 13:58
by eng77
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posted about 1 week ago
I agree with pm on focussing on what you can do. Also there is no point in discussing why supervisor chose this particular examiner. This is also past. In my MRes, the examiner was harder than the external. You do not know if she is good/bad at examination until you see.

Thread: Self-funded PhD this year or possible funded PhD next year?

posted
25-Jun-20, 09:20
edited about 4 seconds later
by eng77
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posted about 1 week ago
if the OP asks if he/she can start self-funded PhD then gets funding next year, this is impossible. They would ask you to provide a proof of sufficient funds for three years and then they would "save" their money for someone else because they have you already.

Thread: PhD in Finland

posted
25-Jun-20, 09:17
by eng77
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posted about 1 week ago
I have googled the subject but long time ago. I think the salary is 2000 net not gross. If so, it should be ok even Finland is more expenses than west Europe.
In terms of salaries in Europe for PhD, I would summarise as follows:
UK: £1100- £1300 monthly net + exemption from council tax
Germany: Scholarship 1000€-1300€ net. RA: 1500€-2500€ net. All PhD students get reduced transport tickets
Netherlands and Belgium: around 1400€ net
Finland: around 2000€ net
Sweden: 2000€ - 2500€
Switzerland: 3000 CHF -4000 CHF

Thread: PhD colleague discussing my matters with supervisors

posted
23-Jun-20, 08:48
edited about 6 seconds later
by eng77
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posted about 1 week ago
I had some similar situation when I had a friend who used to talk with supervisor about other colleagues including me. The only solution I see is to do what Tudor_Queen suggested. It is not about the supervisors and you cannot tell them what to do. Also you cannot tell people who like gossip not to gossip. Just distance yourself from her. Do not be her friend and if possible not her housemate. If she starts to talk with you about supervisor and/or other colleagues, say I am not interested in the subject. If you see them talking about your project/personal/whatsoever leave them immediately. I am sorry to tell you that your housemate is poisoning the environment intentionally or unintentionally. You should go away from her as fast as you can.

Thread: Self-funded PhD this year or possible funded PhD next year?

posted
17-Jun-20, 13:15
by eng77
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posted about 2 weeks ago
Do not do a self funded PhD. Just look and wait. Nevertheless there is no guarantee to find a funded PhD next year. But anyway apply and look for alternatives if you do not secure one.

Thread: Any words of encouragement?

posted
16-Jun-20, 10:32
by eng77
Avatar for eng77
posted about 2 weeks ago
Hi. I think taking the rest of this week as vacation is not a bad idea. Do what you can. I do not have statistics but if you have done the main part of the corrections, it is more likely you will pass with minor corrections. They tend not to downgrade or fail someone if there is a chance he/she produce a coherent thesis. Another round of minor correction is what you should expect and I think it is not a bad outcome.

Thread: Part-time PhD while working full-time

posted
01-Jun-20, 07:34
by eng77
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posted about 1 month ago
I would like also add to the comments that having a "pragmatic" goal from the PhD is important otherwise the stress might overcome the motivation.

Thread: undergraduate degree from 20 years ago. Can I still apply for masters?

posted
29-May-20, 14:00
edited about 21 seconds later
by eng77
Avatar for eng77
posted about 2 months ago
It should not. There are several cases like you. Just write a good cover letter. If you are not looking for a scholarship, you have a good chance. Apply in several institutions and I am sure you will get accepted.

Thread: How to deal with a phd life

posted
29-May-20, 13:44
edited about 10 seconds later
by eng77
Avatar for eng77
posted about 2 months ago
I am sorry to hear your experience. I had a bit similar one in my "uncompleted PhD". I think what you can do is ask him directly what does he expect? what is the "planned" research direction? Does he feel you are doing something different from intended by funding proposal? what exactly bothers him? Is it misunderstanding or he doubt your capabilities?
Otherwise if you do not get a concrete answer and if you do not find any progress in the next few months, quit as soon as you can. Really there is no benefit from working with someone who does not believe in your ability (if this is the case). Run fast and run far.

Thread: Part-time PhD while working full-time

posted
29-May-20, 11:03
edited about 19 seconds later
by eng77
Avatar for eng77
posted about 2 months ago
Hi. I am also considering doing part time PhD while working full time. I am not in a position to offer advice because I need it too :). I just think it might be a good idea to discuss with people like you about the feasibility and motivation of doing a part time PhD. I think it is not easy at all. We have to sacrifice many weekends and evenings. We have to be patients. We have to overcome the depression and problems of both PhD and work. Above all this, we need a "real strong" motivation to do it. I say to myself, if I do not have a proper motivation, I might fall in my way because it is a hard way. You cannot separate the reason for doing a PhD and the feasibility of doing it. But deep inside my heart, I want to do it and you look like you want to do it. It would be nice to hear similar stories either successful or not.

Thread: How hard is it to find a postdoc?

posted
26-May-20, 14:38
by eng77
Avatar for eng77
posted about 2 months ago
I agree with bewildered that it is already hard to get a Postdoc. If she means it is particularly hard for "you" to get a Postdoc, just do your part and work hard and apply. If she does not want to (cannot) hire you as a Postdoc, who cares? There should be other PIs who are interested in your skills. Meanwhile looking in industry is not a bad idea.
My advice is not to open the subject with her again. It is what it is. She does not see chances in academia (either for you or in general). Let us move on and focus of what you can do rather than what she believes.

Thread: Offered a phd but only 3k bursary - stressed!

posted
19-May-20, 14:25
edited about 14 seconds later
by eng77
Avatar for eng77
posted about 2 months ago
Hi. Congratulations first for being accepted. The PhD system is unfair. They should really consider this. Do you have a job now that you can continue working as part time? 20 hours or so? If you get an extra 800 quids each month, you could survive.
Normally I would recommend to reject the offer. But getting exempted from fees is not bad.
Another approach is to continue working full time or 3/4 time, and apply for part time PhD and pay the fees. For home students, it should not be that bad.
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