I agree with Sneaks. You really need to get everyone in the same room and set out some clear aims and guidelines.

I've been having similar problems (although on a smaller scale) with writing papers. My main academic supervisor wants it to go in one direction (yet is out of touch with some of the current techniques), the post-doc I work with makes other suggestions and my TWO external supervisors both have different aims and priorities again. Getting everyone together has meant that I can almost take a step back and let them fight it out. Get everyone's opinions and aims out in the open and then formulate a plan that keeps everyone fairly happy and gets you a PhD out of it.

Keep your chin up and keep smiling. I remember going through a real downer at the end of my second year- things do get better!

Hi everyone,

I'm after a bit of advice and general guidance I guess.

I'm currently writing up my PhD and am hoping to finish in the next 4 months, although my viva won't be until next April. A while ago I was really keen on continuing some of my work into a Post-Doc, however now that I am in the final stages of my PhD I'm in full on "PhD grump" so I'm finding it very difficult to think objectively about my future.

I know that post-doc funding is not easy to come by, especially at the moment so I'm wondering what the most sensible course of action for me is. I've recently seen a 1 year Graduate Teaching Assistant position advertised (£21-25,000) and I'm tempted to apply for it. I think it would give me some valuable teaching experience and give me the time I need to finish writing a couple of papers from my PhD and put together some really good funding applications. Would this job (or something similar) be a sensible way for me to spend my time? My PhD funding has run out already so I am living out of my savings and this is not something I can really afford to do for long.

Should I hold out and find a job in a discipline more closely related to my current area of research (Conservation genetics) or should I look at any short term job as a valuable opportunity to earn some money and plan my future?

Any advice or suggestions gratefully received!

Many thanks