Hi Lab_Rat,

I think you probably will find it quite difficult to get onto a lab based PhD without previous research experience as your previous experiences often form a substantial part of the interview. Have you considered enquiring about the possibility of doing an MRes in a group you are interested in with working with? Occasionally these can be funded and it will be a good chance for you to get some experience in a lab environment. They normally last for one year full time and you do not normally have to complete a taught component.

It may also be worth checking the research council websites to see if you are eligible for any of their short term funding schemes. I know that several councils including the MRC and BBSRC will sponsor undergraduates to undertake 6-8 weeks of lab work, although I am not sure about the eligibility of masters students in these programs!

Failing all this it may well be worth contacting universities/supervisors local to you with the aim of simply getting some voluntary experience, I know of several students who have also gained experience through this route.

Hope these suggestions help!

Jon

try www.protocol-online.org

full of useful information!

sorry, just re-read your post! As you are a doctor and appear to be interested in clinically orientated research i would imagine an MD would be best, although there would be nothing stopping you doing a PhD these might be more basic science orientated than what you are after

MD is reserved for qualified physicians although in effect it is the equivalent of a PhD. If you are not medically qualified the chances are you will only be able to gain entry onto a PhD program. There may be exceptions to this rule that I am unaware of however!

Personally I would go for the department with other PhD students, although this isn't essential for your completion it is nice to be able to interact with others in a similar position. I would imagine it could be quite easy to become isolated in a department where you are the only student!

The other point is it never does any harm for your future career if you have moved around a bit!

Hope that helps and good luck with the decision, its nice to have a choice anyway

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http://bio-rad.cnpg.com/lsca/videos/ScientistsForBetterPCR/

The entry requirments are quite often based upon the funding bodies requirements, if you are self funded you may be able to get away with a 2.2 on your first degree, like Rouge said contact the potential sup.

In respect to masters the general rule of thumb is that a good masters grade pushes up your orignal degree result by one class in the eyes of the research councils. I.E 2.2 + Masters Distinction would most likely meet the 2.1 requirment.

Hope that helps!

oh and the requirements state a number of possible degrees including biology!

Hi Nicola,

try a key word for "biology and statistics" search on findamasters.com, when i tried it brought up a useful looking course in genetic epidemiology at sheffield.... hope that helps!

Given that the usual requirement for a funded PhD is a 2.1 in a bachelors degree and I know of several people who have progressed immediately to a PhD with this level of mark I would have thought a merit at masters level would only boost your chances!!

I think most supervisors would agree that getting a merit level mark at masters is much harder than the same percentage at undergraduate level. Also bear in mind you will have ~6 months more lab experience than many other candidates applying for funded positions who only have an undergraduate level of education.

As far as i'm aware and from responses to many questions by members of this forum there are loads of people doing PhDs who don't have a 1st or 2.1! In general though it seems that in order to do this a good Masters grade is necessary, this seems particularly true in terms of securing research council funding where at least a 2.1 is required.

Research councils seem to state that a masters is equivalent to increasing your undergraduate grade by 1 classification (2.2 to 2.1 for example).

Hope this is right!

Regards,
Jon

I might be wrong but the way I have always thought is that masters courses are for people exactly like you! I.e. those wishing to change track from their undergraduate course. Not sure about experience but certainly with courses i've seen in the sciences they simple want a first degree in a reasonbly related discipline.... I'm guessing sociology and psychology would probably count as being related but I know little about the social sciences to be honest!

While I was looking for PhDs around September I did contact some researchers directly. To be honest this didn't really prove very useful!! Although quite a few got back with polite emails the response tended to be 'We will let you know if anything becomes available' or 'projects will be advertised early next year'.

Findaphd.com seemed to be by far the best place for me!

if you are already working at 'a respected academic instituition' could you not enquire into the possibility of you doing a part time PhD while you work? Sorry if this is something you've already thought of!!!

You could always try doing a google scholar search for papers related to your topic area. That way you might be able to get the names of some potential supervisors and email contacts for them too? Just a thought...

I think in the life sciences getting funding with a 2:2 might be difficult. However, most research councils seem to accept a 2:2 with a relevant masters degree... not sure how charity funding works though!