Yes, that is what I am asking. I was a bit shocked by "Grade 8" for a job I am considering applying for, as this would be very high at my other university. I wasn't sure if I could ignore it as it is just an internal way of banding salaries. Your response suggests that this is the case. Thanks.

Hi there,

Does anyone know if grading categories differ by university? For example, could a Grade 8 Postdoctoral role at one university be the same as Grade 6 one at another university? By "the same" I mean in terms of the level of expertise and experience required, and not pay (I know this differs from uni to uni). Another way of asking my question is are "Grades" for research roles consistent across universities in the UK?

Thanks
Tudor

Could you have a conversation with your supervisor and tell them that you would like to have a first authored publication and you would like to plan the steps to achieve that?

Similar to rewt, I've done this once also. I included hypotheses, and I also included possible implications. It is great if you can do a bit of the analysis so there's a taster of the results. Also might be more likely to be accepted if it has to be reviewed. Hope it goes well.

But will the publications be based on your own work? I am just wondering why you won't be the first author. I think that it is important to have at least one first authored one.

You must have some plan to support yourself when you are doing the masters. What is the plan? You need to provide proof of this - whether it is a letter or bank statement, for example. You shouldn't need a guarantor if you have evidence of how you will be supporting yourself.

I haven't, but then I haven't seen every successful application ever made by a postdoc. I am sure it has happened before, but chances are lower. In my field at least. If you don't mind me asking, why is that you don't have a publication yet? Do you have any interesting results that you could publish? Even if you have one or some submitted manuscripts on your CV, this will look better than nothing at all. I'd say have a think about what you could publish from your thesis and ask your supervisor for their feedback and co-authorship.

The tree looks very pretty! And I can't talk much, as I still have my Christmas lights up - I find them more relaxing in the evening than having a bright lamp on, so may keep them out! But yeh, packing away Christmas trees is no fun...

Computing aside Jamie_Wizard, you still have your Christmas tree up!!!! This is shocking!!!! We're practically mid January now!!!

I'm sorry but I don't really understand your concern.Are you concerned about moving abroad? This is of course a massive consideration, and only you will know if it is something you would like to try. But beyond that what is your concern? All that you have stated sounds extremely positive to me!

Thanks Eng - I'm taking this all on board. The general picture seems to be that Linux has its advantages, but still isn't ready for more mainstream users like myself. Bah humbug!

Thank you Jamie, Nead, and pm133 - this is exactly the sort of balanced info I was hoping for. It seems when I google, I find articles written by people who either simply love it or hate it, and there isn't enough specific information in such articles for me to begin to make an informed choice.

I am going to think about all of this. I must admit, I come away from reading this feeling a bit more cautious. It would be a bummer for me to install it, have issues, and not be able to get support if something went wrong (I don't have enough of that sort of expertise myself and I don't know anyone nearby who does).

I may return to my first idea - which was buy secondhand Windows 7 laptops as and when I need a new laptop until they eventually disappear... maybe by that time Linux will be more mainstream or Windows will have repented from Windows 10 and moved on to better things... And then there's the idea of getting a Mac... I haven't considered that till now but perhaps I should try one out and see if that's an option for me.

Thanks again everyone - and hope you are having a relaxing weekend.

Tudor

I'm considering switching from Windows (can't stand the interface on more recent versions and the lack of user control over this and other basic things) to Linux. I've been casually considering it years but getting close to taking the plunge (forced by external factors such as Windows 10 now being the only Windows operating system available on new laptops). I wondered if anyone here uses Linux? If so, I have a few questions for you!

First of all, is it fairly easy to get used to it and easy to do simple things that you might do on Windows (browsing, Youtube, etc)? I am familiar with Libre Open Office Software and used this once when I didn't have Microsoft Office for a short time, so I already know I would be sorted for word processing, powerpoints, spreadsheets etc. Beyond that I guess I mainly use my laptop for: doing stats on SPSS and R, using a few bits of open/free software specific to my field (such as CLAN which is part of the CHILDES project - which I've just checked to see that it has a "Unix" version available to download - I am hoping this means it would be compatible with Linux), Skype, viewing photos, and, importantly, reading lots of PDFs (currently I use Adobe to do this). Would I be able to transition to Linux fairly easily and do these things with the same ease as in Windows?

A second question relates to installation. I will probably buy a new laptop soon with Windows 10 preinstalled. Do I need to look out for any particular specifications, or will I be able to download Linux on pretty much any modern run-of-the-mill laptop?

A final consideration - I'm considering Lenovo, Dell, or HP (and in that order) in case that is relevant to this question.

Thank you for reading this and I welcome any advice.

Thinking about it more, I wonder if there is some truth to what you are fearing. Maybe you would have higher chances of obtaining UK / US based fellowships , funding etc if you had done your PhD in the UK / US. This is speculation, but I can imagine that it could be the case. One friend of mine from another country (not China) desperately would like to come to the UK or the US, but has struggled to be able to do so. He finds that his applications are just not responded to. Whether or not this is because he didn't do his PhD in a well known institution in one of those countries, I do not know - but he believes it is. He has a good list of publications, some of which are in very well respected journals in his field. If your aim is to find work in one of those countries then maybe it would be worth trying to find out more about this by talking with some academics in the UK / US who hire people in your field.

If it is something that is really bugging you / eating away at you and you just can't stop thinking about it, then it might be a good idea to seek an opportunity in the UK. If you find one, you could take steps toward making it happen. If it doesn't work out, you could stay put, especially since things are going well for you in your current situation.

I agree with pm133 here. But I also know that if something is always on your mind, such as a strong desire to do something, it can be hard to shake off and you might find yourself wishing you'd at least looked into things more.