J, how did you deal with the interview? Any advice. How did you connect with the interviewers? What sorts of quest did they ask? Was your project science based?

I was reading, a few weeks ago, a message from someone who was also doing a tele interview and someone mentioned that a tele interview was just to complete the application process...it didn't matter because they already knew who they were going to give the studentship to. So what's the point then to interview persons if you are not interested in them? Don't you think it is a waste of time? Do an interview really determine who gets the place?

Hi FindAPhD Team,

My overall ambition is to one-day get involved in academics at University level. But before that, I would like to get more Industrial experience. I thought that by doing a part-time PhD, it would 1) improve my chances of getting into academia, and 2) perhaps might lead me to better jobs in industry whilst I'm still studying.

Thank you for your advice.

Dear FindAPhD

I am currently studing a human physiology PhD and will involve some lab work, I wanted to know, will I have the opportunity to do a post Doc in a lab based field? Could somebody please give some advice and help me?

Just do as many hours as you need to finish your tasks. Time out is very important..you will go mad otherwise.

You must be insane.

what's an integrated PhD?

Obviously integrated PhD are much better for those who are determined enough to continue their work in same field. Since the view is more focused hence more beneficial.

If you dont want to teach you shouldnt have to. There are positives - money, being involved in the department (where I am, seems P/T teachers have higher status than those who are 'just' students), looks good on CV. I did 2 hr per week actual teaching (seminars) plus marking, attending lectures etc, total about 6hrs/wk. But my impression is it is becoming more difficult for PhD students to get teaching work - financial pressures mean Unis dont want to spend on this and are putting more of the load onto faculty.

oh that doesnt sound too bad then! How often did you do that - 1/2 X week and for how long? Which year of your phd would you normally do any tutorials in? -thanks

When I was applying for my studentship...they had face to face interviews for uk residents and phone interviews for everyone outside of the UK. I had a phone interview and got the studentship, so they can be successful. I don't think they can discrimate based on interview type, otherwise why offer 2 types!

I can't really comment on your particular department...but typically you are just there to supervise the students, kickstart discussions and at worse briefly go over the stuff they have done in lectures. Its up to the lecturer teaching the course to provide the material, so you don't really have to prepare anything! At least thats how it works where I am. Regards.

I'm by no means an expert on the topic of integrated PhDs and so I'm asking if anybody has any opinions concerning integrated PhDs. Are they successsful and rewarding?

oh yeh pickled sandwiches...forgot about that!

Hi there! I’m about to start my PhD soon and have heard that phd students are sometimes expected to teach undergrad tutorials [up to 6hrs/wk] – I am not that keen on teaching as I have done it before, but wondered whether it will be seen as uncooperative by my supervisor if I said no? If I say yes will this involve taking whole classes and preparing lots of material?? Any advice would be great –thanks.