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Thread: Influence of covid19 over funding

posted
14-Apr-20, 13:46

edited about 17 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 months ago

No one knows. Simply, we have no clue what is going to happen in 3 months let alone 2 years.

However, most governments and institutions will not cut already established grants, so your two years of funding is safe. Two years is enough time to move university and do enough research for a thesis, as long as it is in a similar field. I would make the decision sooner rather than later as moving labs/university is disruptfull and you would rather spend more time at the new lab.

On another note, can you learn the local language?

Thread: Unresponsive Co-Supervisor

posted
14-Apr-20, 13:40

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 months ago

Do you need feedback from second supervisor? I am in a similar position; super helpful main supervisor and a phantom second supervisor. My second supervisor only sees the final drafts of any submissions and the only significant feedback she has given me was on a journal paper. However, I don't feel I need her help, as my main supervisor is so helpful. So if your main supervisor is genuinely useful, I think you should be asking do you need extra support from a second supervisor?

If you do need their input, explain what you want in a polite manner. Lecturers are incredibly busy and they do prioritise work. Your supervisor may see supervising you as something minor and if you ask for more effort from them it may cause drama. Like asking for detailed feedback for an entire chapter is a big ask but asking for feedback on the section specific to them is a lot easier. I knew someone who had 5 supervisors and for her thesis drafts, she would tell each supervisor exactly what section she wanted them to read specific to their expertise. While if you are doing well and on time, asking for them to review everything you write is a bit demanding. So what I am trying to say is, with phantom supervisors be realistic with what you want from them and work with them to find out how much effort they can give you.

Thread: Is a one-year postdoc worth doing?

posted
14-Apr-20, 13:11

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 months ago

One year post-docs aren't perfect but better than nothing. If it is a well established lab with a clear plan you can be rather productive in that year and get a lot done in that time. It is a chance to build your CV so you can get something better in the future. A one year post-doc is nothing more than a stepping stone to better job in that university or somewhere else.

Thread: Adapting Existing Framework and Survey Tool from published PhD??

posted
01-Apr-20, 17:05

edited about 4 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 months ago

You can't use the EXACT same methods and questionnaire. Your research has to be completely your own work. Copying a questionnaire exactly is bordering on plagiarism.

However no research is completely unique. The different market segments and different country focus will make your research novel, so that is good. If you cite the other researcher appropriately as well as justify the individual parts of your methodology, it won't be plagiarism. So if you organically create your own methodology that is similar but not EXACTLY the same as the other researcher's methodology, you should be fine. It is good to have some small differences in methodology so you can avoid plagiarism accusations.

PS: Engineering field so my advice may not be applicable.

Thread: Is it weird for PhD interviewers to congratulate me on getting waitlisted?

posted
01-Apr-20, 15:36

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 months ago

If they are congratulating you, it probably means it is a good result. I am assuming that the several professors that congratulated you know more about the system than we do and understand the significance of your relative position.

As getting a wait list position can be just as good getting it. I know someone who got wait-listed third for a research council fellowship. The round was funding 20 fellowships and after a few days she got a call saying she had received the funding. If it is an especially large funding round it is not uncommon for several people to drop out.

Thread: Contacting examiners after major corrections

posted
01-Apr-20, 15:30

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 months ago

From my understanding you have to send them the corrections formally and you cannot ask for them to review your work before resubmission. As if you could bounce drafts backwards and forwards, some awkward examiners would request several drafts, wasting everyone's time. It is better to submit it and see if they pass or ask for corrections.

However, I do think it is acceptable to ask for clarification about points.

Thread: Health Economics Thread

posted
01-Apr-20, 15:26

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 2 months ago

Are you trying to ask for research ideas for your proposal?

Blog: Are PhDs meant to be this stressful?

posted
16-Mar-20, 22:31

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 months ago

Hi Simm,

Thanks for sharing. We all have been there, lost in the topic and not knowing what to do. For fidning gap, I try to read a appear and ask myself, based on that paper what else do I want to know? Then I try and find the answers to my questions. If I can't find the answer, I try to guess what the answer might be, search those questions. Then slowly by asking myself lots of questions, I have develop areas of what I do know and what I don't know but want to know, therefore my gap. So for me it is about learning to ask good questions (which was what I was always good at). If you want more or better advice, I would recommend creating a new thread so more people can see it.

Thread: So hard to obtain funding?

posted
16-Mar-20, 22:24

edited about 20 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 months ago

I am sorry to hear you got rejecetd. Though don't be too down-beaten as it is only one rejection. There are plenty of opportunities and it all depends on who you are up against. Sometimes you might be competing against bona fide super geniuses or other times a rabble of stoners. You shouldn't be put off because of one rejection, learn from the feedback and improve your next application.

Thread: MPhil on Completion of PhD?

posted
16-Mar-20, 22:19

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 months ago

I don't think so unless told otherwise. The PhD is a better degree than an MPhil and awarding them by default is rather redundant. From my experience (could be wrong) they are awarded if you drop out and submit a small dissertation. Though, I don't your particular circumstances and if you had technically been upgraded.

Thread: Is a PhD right for me?

posted
16-Mar-20, 22:16

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 months ago

In engineering you should not be self funding PhDs. If your supervisor thinks it can get funding talk with and possibly consider it, otherwise take a job. I would take the lined up job and then consider a PhD later. As a job will not rule out a PhD later and will give you time to make the right decision.

About the PhD, do you like the topic enough to devote three years to it? If you are not passionate now, you probably aren't going to be motivated in three years. Research is really arduous and if you have no interest in research or the project, I don't think you should consider it. Sorry for being so harsh but a PhD is more a battle of motivation than sheer intellect. However if you do are genuinely interested in the topic/project and want to have a career in that specific area, I would consider it.

Thread: How to Start Preparing For a PhD?

posted
16-Mar-20, 22:08

edited about 22 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 months ago

Read. Read. Read!

Seriously just read as much as you can about your topic and field. It will give you better understanding of your PhD proposal and help you massively if you do a PhD. Try and find everything you can related to the topic so that you can understand what gap in knowledge you are investigating and how you will go about solving it. This will make writing any applications or grant funding a lot easier, as you have a deep understanding on what you want to study, ie look like a better student.

I wish you all the best and hope other people give you some additional advice!

Thread: HELP WITH MSC REPORT ON COWORKING SPACES

posted
16-Mar-20, 22:01

edited about 24 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 months ago

Done

Thread: picking a thesis topic

posted
10-Mar-20, 21:27

edited about 10 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 months ago

Quote From lemoncheesecake:
i now feel out of my depth

Is this the real issue of your malaise? Do you actually enjoy the project or field? If you enjoy the work, it is more impostor syndrome and that is incredibly common. You have just started your PhD and I would be worried if you didn't feel out of your depth.

Thread: Tick this box if we can contact your referees before the interview...

posted
10-Mar-20, 20:48

edited about 7 seconds later

by rewt

(view my blog)

posted about 3 months ago

I think if they contact your references before the interview you are more likely to get an interview. Talking with your references is probably a better way to sift CVs than just reading the CV. I don't think it will impact your odds of getting the job once you have an interview.