What a thread!!

Marinegirl - I started looking last summer before i started my final year. I built up a relationship with some supervisors that led to interviews but no matter how informal it is there will always be a time when they need to see your 'vital stats', so a good CV is key. The most important thing is to highlight your lab experience and lab projects and focus on the techniques that you have in the bag, and spend very little time on your part time job at ASDA!!

Damn - i missed that one!!

I would say apply but be prepared for an uphill battle, which is always a good laugh.

Well bearing in mind that geneticists are usually a bit, shall we say, particular (i dont wanna say arrogant), it is usually best to have a degree in genetics, molecular genetics or molecular biology. Chemistry should put you in a good position regardless; it gets a lot of respect because most biologists are crap at chemistry. It also depends on where you wanna go. Also these days it is important to have very sound data handling/stats skills cos thats what its all about at the moment - loads of data but what does it mean?

Sample CVs or a template would be very welcome. There is a huge amount of general CV advice available on the internet but no help for us nerds. Is there a standard format for academic CVs? What do they want to know about me? We’re clever but not telepathic.

Steve – what time of year did you start your CV barrage? Did you schmooze up to particular supervisors or just send your vital statistics to anyone with a desk? Any other tips? Many thanks ……

I am doing a Chemistry Degree and I am interested in doing a phD in genetics. All the universities require a first or upper second in a relevant discipline. What is this for genetics?. Oxford do include Chemistry but I think that, that is being a bit ambitious. HELP!

Hi Steve, I am equally interested in getting a copy of your 'now famous CV'. I ve been busy with applications for a PhD lately and yours might give me some ideas that may make the difference. My address is: [email protected]

I am looking for a good combination of law and environmental science for a PhD - in particular i would ultimately like to work in Canada - does anyone have any ideas of possible combinations or areas that the Canadians may be interested in? Thanks

I didn't intend to set a threshold. I'm just going on feedback from some academics and students that studentships are harder to get if you're a mature student because of the lengthy postdoc process that follows it before lectureships are available. Age discrimination isn't justified as far as I'm concerned.

Hi leniconway, do you want my CV? I already have a PhD place so mine must be quite good... x

Hiya! I'm actually looking to start a phd project I came up with three years ago. I initially got a 2.2 degree in design, and went on and got a 21. masters in multimedia afterwards. I've lectured in both for 2 years and have some industry experience as well. But in fairness, I have heard that the initial 2.2 will stand against me when it comes to securing funding.

But you have to keep trying, don't you?!

Best of luck anyways.
Caroline

Southampton University’s website states that they offer £10K golden hellos to Southampton undergraduates staying with them to do a PhD. Do people think that this will make departments more likely to discriminate in favour of their own students because they qualify for extra funding? Do the big 5*s generally allocate studentships internally anyway?

I will be 31 when I apply so I hope that your arbitrary threshold is wrong!

Please could I have a copy steve: [email protected]

Cheers

You are right, in the Benelux, most PhD projects take at least 4 years. I know of one which took a little over 9. However, you get payed a lot more, because the new system (starting this academic year) enables the universities to draw the best students, using the paycheck as a bate (possible up to 1800 GBP a month, taxes have to be payed though, being about 40%). Germany is different there. The projects take about 3 to 5 years, and you get about 600 GBP a month (tax free).
Thanks for the info!