I don't think it's a problem not to have a uni affiliation as I've seen papers where people use personal addresses.  Although personally I would prefer to use one instead of a private address but I don't think it detracts from the research.

I totally get what you mean Vilee as I had a similar experience too though I still enjoyed the research itself and that is what kept me going despite all the other problems I had!!!!  Yeah I'm finding the same problems about postdocs too!  The market is flooded with experienced postdocs so people who have just finished don't really stand a chance assuming there are posts to apply for which is the other problem in my field! I've hardly seen any recently so have decided to try my luck at temporary teaching posts which have the same problem!  Well probably worse as I've less teaching experience than most for reasons I won't go into so there is not much hope there!  It's really is tough for people who have just finished.  I won't go into it too much as I'll just end up repeating myself!

I haven't tried many posts outside academia as that is where I really want to be though I need to start coming up with a Plan B as I don't know how long I can carry on like this!  The problem I find with jobs outside academia is that they don't really stimulate me.  I was at an interview for one where I could use my skills in a limited way but it was just to follow a protocol and there was no research involved unless I did it in my own time despite masses of data being collected!  Part of me is just stubborn as I think that I went through a lot to get the PhD so I want to use it and I am determined to even if it kills me trying! Mind you I used to think that about getting one and look where it has gone me!  I just need to know all the grief was worth it and would like to think it wasn't a waste of time!  Only time will tell! How long can I play this game for?  Is it just to reassure myself that I'm not that stupid really and that I can get a job which uses my skills and knowledge? Am I trying to prove to myself it was worth it and also I'd love to see the look on my supervisor's face when I tell them I've an academic job so there! There seems to be a lot riding on it!!!!

You shouldn't have to hide your PhD for a teaching course especially at secondary level as they are trying to attract high quality science graduates such as yourself!  I think the program is called Teachfirst which is specially designed to get people to teach science as you know they are short of science teachers. I have a friend who has just got a place on a training course for secondary schools.  The PhD is a good selling point especially for physics so don't sell yourself short! You're worth it! 

But I know what you mean it's demoralising and it feels like we are in limbo not knowing which way to turn and hoping for a job!  I'm really hoping things pick up soon! Anyway good luck! (up)

That's awful Beajay and definitely not what you need!  Unfortunately it sounds all too familiar as my supervisor sounds very like yours apart from the becoming obsessed with my thesis bit as they couldn't care less about it until I finished when they suddenly started mentioning papers!!!!  Funny they didn't show any interest beforehand and hardly read any of my thesis before submission! We have a great non-relationship!  I haven't spoken or e-mailed them since my viva as I know their promises of help are empty! I would go as far as to stay that they hindered my research and things would have been so much easier if they weren't involved!  It was such an uphill battle and constant struggle that was really wearing me down! They were also funny about methodology as they were into shortcuts but I said I needed to justify why I was doing what I was doing but they didn't think so.  But I got commended on having a robust methodology by my external examiner so it just goes to show that they are not always right!!!!

It is probably better not to work with your supervisor who will drive you mad in the long term anyway so it's better for your sanity this way. However, it might not be as bad as you think as at least your supervisor has acknowledged your e-mails so at least there is still some response as I only get a response off mine if I'm very, very, very lucky and that is usually when they want something or to give a sarky reply to something I've asked! Usually my e-mails are just ignored which is very frustrating when you need some help so I learnt to find alternative sources help yet they lay claim to my work as they expect to be on my papers and PhD related work!!!! That's just cheap labour as well!

Unfortunately this still doesn't solve your lack of library resources problem but if you could get your dept to take you on as an Associate tutor/Honorary research fellow/academic you would get to do some teaching/research and library access which would be great for continuing your research. Good luck - I hope it all works out. Have you tried other academics or supervisors if you had any to support your request? It would look good for your dept to have more papers published to raise its profile especially as your thesis has been accessed so many times already!

Yeah I agree with the others that the time varies from super quick like Keenbean to the more standard 3 months to 6 months for a friend of mine's viva. The external was really busy and couldn't take time out before that! So it does seem 4 months is not that unusual but it is a pain to have a long gap as you'll have to revise it again which is really boring. I kept falling to sleep when I started revising! Doh! :$

Is it a big falling out as you know some academics have fiery tempers which seem to die down once the moment has gone?  Is it possible to make amends? If it is that would help you get on as you know academia is all about networking and who you know which is a pain especially if you are in such a specialised area as yours. 

The honorary post would definitely help you access resources while you write up papers and do more research. I know of people who are in those positions at my uni too so I don't see why they wouldn't got for it.  It'd good for them as the dept gets their name on your papers without having to pay for the privilege!

Good luck with it all. (up)

That's what I've heard but it's too late for me to start using it as I did mine on Word! It's quite a pain as the formatting changes a lot especially when you try to piece the individual chapters together at the end!!!!!

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I don't know much about the uni except that it is often thought of as Glasgow's 2nd uni established after the much older Uni of Glasgow.  For more info on UK unis I would suggest looking at the Guardian and Times uni guides which are put together by two of the UK's main newspapers:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/universityguide
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/sunday_times_university_guide/   (I think you have to pay for this one but there may be articles you don't have to pay for)

If you want know to more on how unis rank in research terms then look at the Research and Assessment Excercise website which assesses the research output of unis and then the government uses the results to allocate funding. It's done approx every 5 years.  http://www.rae.ac.uk/

As you are going to be at Strathclyde for part of your Masters the best way to look for a PhD is to ask around and see who has got funding or how you can get funding.
Things to consider - You need to find:
1) A topic you're PASSIONATE about otherwise you'll struggle to keep your motivation in the hard times or if your supervisor is not interested!
2) A GOOD supervisor - i.e. one that helps and is supportive who you get on with. It'll make the process easier.
3) A good working environment - e.g. supportive dept and good sociable postgrads who aren't too stressed (!!!)
4) Source of funding:  Usually one of the following -
i) A specific pre-defined PhD project which is part of a larger grant awarded to your supervisor
ii) You write a proposal and submit it into an open competition with other potential students for funds from a research council or dept/uni funds
iii) You contact your supervisor to talk about projects and he offers you one which has funding attached usually from the uni.

There shouldn't be too much difference between the different types of funding apart from the amount paid as this varies between research councils and subjects and unis too!

The info above applies to UK unis as I don't know much about the system in other European countries.  In the UK EU students and UK students are the same rate but students from elsewhere have to pay the international rate which is more expensive. Just apply for any projects you like the look of and talk to people to see if they have projects on offer.  You can also e-mail academics in the research area you are interested and see if they have any projects on offer.

You are not too old as it doesn't matter what age you are.  It is good to have had life experience so you know what to expect when you start unlike some people who have gone straight through the educational system. Your motivation and determination should mean you are more focused.

Good luck - it's a tough process to find one so don't give up if that's what you really want.  You need to be clear about the reasons why you are doing one!

Thanks 404 I hope so. I'll keep my fingers crossed for us and everybody job hunting here (up)

Yeah I would. The Uni of Glasgow is much better regarded than UWE and going to uni in Scotland is an added bonus! The uni is in a nice part of the city called the west end with a huge park (Kelvingrove Park) and museums near it and Byers Road which has nice shops and cafes for you browse around and relax. Then of course there is uni life which is great in Scotland particularly going to ceilidhs (Gaelic dancing) and balls which they know how to do properly! Then if you head into the city centre there are lots of things to do from shopping, eating and drinking, concerts, and you can even be cultural if you wish.

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It's better out than in and that's what this forum is for!  Glad you feel better and it's the weekend now so go and enjoy it and don't feel guilty!!! You deserve a break and need to unwind so you can be productive!!! 8-)

I so agree with 404 - where are those postdocs???????   So here's my rant ...

I don't like the fact that despite getting a PhD you are not closer to getting an academic job unless you've loads of experience and done a postdoc already to get your 1st postdoc. The same seems to go for teaching even a temp teaching post they want you to have teaching and assessment of students experience which is a bit hard to get if there wasn't any available for you to do during your PhD! 

It just seems that the goal posts have moved so now after spending all this time on your research for your PhD you can't get a job unless you have X no of years of experience in either research or teaching and 50 million publications!!!!

:-s  When it all end and we can get a break? All I want to do is just some more research but that seems impossible with the odds of getting funding!!!  There might be more chance of winning the lottery!!!

Anyway now that's over have a great weekend everyone! Maybe if I write an early letter to Santa he might grant my wish early!!!! (tree) ;-) :p (snowman) (robin)

It's usually in the written format by letter or e-mail so you just need to ask your referees to look out for them.

Good luck (up)

Oh yeah it's lovely 8-)

The supervisor is key to a good PhD supported by a good working environment so it'd be a good idea as Sneaks suggested to talk to previous students who will give you a honest opinion of the supervisor! At this stage the supervisor is important so you can establish a good working relationship. Though it obviously helps if people know the institution especially if you don't plan to stay in academia but if you do stay the supervisor is probably more important! Networking is the key to get anywhere in academia!

Hi Natalie, It sounds like you had a horrible experience but it sounds like academia as they like to sweep such problems under the carpet and pretend problem sueprvisors don't exist and say such annoying things like "They get away with it due to their position/personality!" which is really unfair. If you made an official complaint surely they would have to investigate it but then depending on the influence or status of supervisor they may get in the way of your career prospects as you know how small academia is! But then again if your supervisor is well known for their behaviour then they might disregard what he says. You never know - it's a tricky situation and a horrible one to be in! Anyway you survived it which makes you a stronger person and you'll know how to deal with such characters in the future! ;-)

I totally agree with the others - the last 10 % is the worse! It's just the final push until you can submit but by that time you are usually so emotionally drained and tired that can't bear looking at it anymore! I know I certainly felt this way at the end and couldn't stand looking at my thesis anymore as just the thought of it made me feel sick! Remember to take breaks so you can relax and just steel yourself to get through. You just need to gather up your last bit of motivation to finish! Try breaking it into little chunks and reward yourself after you have done it e.g. go for a walk, have some chocolate which got me through or whatever you fancy! A little treat goes a long way and can really help you push through the last bit which is really the most painful! I think the rush to get it in contributes to the stress but this can work in positive ways making you more productive! Good luck and hope you get it all sorted. (up) (turkey) (gift) ;-)

I agree with Moonblue - Bremen's a lovely place with a great coffee house that does the most delicious cakes ever!  There's also a pancake ship and a lovely Christmas market! Good luck with the decision - have you discussed this with your supervisor(s) or people in your field as they would probably know more about the reputations of the different institutions.

:p