On a second thought, profile of the PI does play a significant role. And funding in some applications of your filed of study might be better than other. For example, if you can apply your research to some health related issue, you can get some funding from NHS as well. But do prepare a proposal and start applying. The proposal and documents you prepare for your first application might be used for applications for funding elsewhere.
Not a PhD yet and many of these things you might already be aware with, but have seen professors and some colleagues doing it and thought to share it with you :)

TreeofLife, I think funding options depend upon your field of study, publications of the investigators filing applications, and the quality of research proposal. I do not know much about it, but you may like to explore European Union FP7 program which I heard of from my professors in my university. It has quite good funding options. Apart from this, there may be good funding options for young researchers. Just check with UK research council and british council.

Yes, TreeofLife, a bit true. Here you get to know many people doing what you are doing i.e. phd and research :) That's then a plus point for this forum.

My situation is a bit opposite. While reviewing literature, I am coming up with a lot of research questions and I am finding it difficult to narrow down to a few. However, thinking of research on these problems and any solution is a bit difficult part for me. Trying to figure out how to go about it?

Until you find a suitable forum, I think no one mind to post your queries related to writing research articles on this forum here.

To find a research idea and to develop a research proposal, it would be good to read existing research papers in the area of your interest and you may come up with some research idea and plan. I think, universities here in UK allow it to be 10 to 12 months to develop a good research proposal and completing literature review.

Dear ub40.

I find your statement "academia doesn't want people with dirty real world experience" quote curious. I would request some elaboration on that conclusion that you have arrived at. Loads of new knowledge and work experience you gain in the industry can better be applied in academics as well. I bet you have never worked in the industry! Forgive me, if I am wrong. I am only human to make mistakes in my judgement.

As far as I have seen at my current university here in the UK, people with blend of experience from industry and academics fare quite good and sometimes even far better. I have seen such people holding positions of responsibility at my institution and they have broad and practical view point towards solving real life problems, if that is what research is about.

Thank You!

I would add that luck also plays a role in job hunting as in many other things. But if you can keep your spirits high, and keep making an effort you are likely to end up with something good at the end. I would also add that, in case of an academic jobs, when writing a cover letter, do relate your research with that of the current professors at the university where you are applying. I hope you have already done that.

I don't know for sure about here in UK, but I suspect that some jobs are sometimes not advertised and the hiring committee or persons usually end up finding someone they already know or are in touch with. So, networking is definitely important.

I wish you all luck with finding good jobs.

Hello to all job-hunting woers.

Before embarking onto PhD study, I did a few jobs and have been to some interviews. So, I am a bit tempted to post a few thoughts which I hope you may find useful and in case otherwise, you would have a heart to let go me with it.

In many jobs and that includes academics, the interviewers may not always be looking for the brightest person. They might also interested in other qualities as well. For example, they would be interested in finding someone who is a good team player and can go on well with the existing fellows. So, they might prefer someone with lower quality and number of publications but having good interpersonal communication skills. In many cases, the brightest people usually lack this social side. So, ask yourself, how did you fare in your interview on this particular thing.

Second, I second fled. Don't lose your connection with what you have studied and keep in touch with your research. Why not write a book and publish it if you have some spare time. Or if you can use your research for community work that would might give you exposure and some help on building your CV as well.

It might be a good idea to keep a list of academics in your area of research and get in touch with them at least over email and talk to them about having research partnership with them. You may as well choose a single university research staff and build an informal research partnership with them and participate in research events, seminars or conferences at that university. You might one day land a job over there. In practical world, association, partnerships and referrals do play a role.

If you can come up with some good data and it results in a few publications and then I think it is worth it.

On a second thought, why do these other people have such impression of you? Do you have an elevated opinion of yourself? In any case, you must work hard and keep a record of your being good student as TreeofLife suggested, to repel any of the bad impressions instead of thinking that someone wants to steal your funding.

Doesn't any of the moderators think that quality of moderation of this forum perhaps needs a bit of improvement. Why allow such posts sufficient amount of time for an advertisement? It essentially creates an impression that it is done with their connivance which I think is not the case as the composition of above post does not seem to come from a native English speaker and is perhaps done at some 'outsourcing center'.

There are so many queries in your single post. Better google for each one of them. Or better talk to someone in this area of work. I think you can get answers to many of your questions by searching for job opportunities for computer science graduates and then reading the requirements for those jobs. You can similarly search for analyst job descriptions.

Hello majar

I would suggest to work hard and get a publication, at least a conference publication, before your upgrade. You may need to collaborate with your other friends, colleagues and supervisor for this. Also discuss with your supervisor and ensure a thoroughly scrutinized research proposal.

Hope this helps.

PhD is not about money alone. It's a bit about wealth of knowledge as well. IF you've done it right, you end up getting money as well. Anyway, depends upon your class: intellectual, mental and social.