Hi Mak_2011 - ta for the reply! Good on your cousin managing a PhD with twins! I'm sure it does require a lot of commitment - that's why I didn't go into it straight from my undergrad, I think working for a while has added a good few strings to my bow that'd help me through!

Hi Dunni73 - ta for the reply! I'd definitely consider a part-time PhD if that was what was on offer - though from what I've seen in my field it just doesn't seem to be the 'done thing'. Perhaps all the part timers are hidden away somewhere! I could eventually do one through work (in about 15 yrs time :s ) but I'd have to do yet another MSc, which would cost me thousands more, just to follow the blessed NHS set in granite path and I'm not sure it's the smartest way to go. I might be better taking just a tiny wee paycut while I can afford it and working my socks off for three years to get ahead now. It's just all so complicated!! x

Hi all,

I have a wee question I don't seem to be able to answer with some extensive googling so I'm hoping a knowledgeable forum member can help me!
I'd like to find myself a PhD, I have a BSc in genetics, and MSc in medical molecular genetics and Grad cert in biomedical sciences. At the moment I work for the NHS in a cell therapies department - we're building the first UK CTL cell bank for use in cancer patients, under funding from the Wellcome Trust. I've found a research group in Edinburgh who are affiliated with my current employers and whose focus is cellular therapies - I'd like to send an enquiry email putting myself forward as a prospective PhD candidate should they find funding for one but I'm not sure how to word it! Somehow I don't think 'Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaase give me a studentship' is quite the way to go!! I actually work with their clinical director, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate to approach him asking to move to a job somewhere else - we're incredibly short staffed as it is (God Bless the NHS spending cuts!), my boss'd freak out if he knew I wanted to leave. Is sending prospective emails the done thing? How do I word it - just 'Hi, I know who you are, here's my CV' sort of thing??

Also - how does it work in a PhD if you need maternity leave? Am I entitled to the same protection as I would be in a job? It's not a major issue at the moment, but the other half is worryingly broody and I always feel it's best to be armed with knowledge!

Hope I'm not asking utterly daft questions and that everyone is having a good Monday - just think, one less day until it's the weekend again!

Rhi x

Hi all,

I have a wee question I don't seem to be able to answer with some extensive googling so I'm hoping a knowledgeable forum member can help me!
I'd like to find myself a PhD, I have a BSc in genetics, and MSc in medical molecular genetics and Grad cert in biomedical sciences. At the moment I work for the NHS in a cell therapies department - we're building the first UK CTL cell bank for use in cancer patients. I've found a research group in Edinburgh who are affiliated with my current employers and whose focus is cellular therapies - I'd like to send an enquiry email putting myself forward as a prospective PhD candidate should they find funding for one but I'm not sure how to word it! Somehow I don't think 'Pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaase give me a studentship' is quite the way to go!! I actually work with their clinical director, but I'm not sure if it's appropriate to approach him asking to move to a job somewhere else - we're incredibly short staffed as it is (God Bless the NHS spending cuts!), my boss'd freak out if he knew I wanted to leave. Is sending prospective emails the done thing? How do I word it - just 'Hi, I know who you are, here's my CV' sort of thing??

Also - how does it work in a PhD if you need maternity leave? Am I entitled to the same protection as I would be in a job? It's not a major issue at the moment, but the other half is worryingly broody and I always feel it's best to be armed with knowledge!

Hope I'm not asking utterly daft questions and that everyone is having a good Monday - just think, one less day until it's the weekend again!

Rhi x