Thanks Nadia

What are PMs?

Sleepyhead, the poster was not yet on a PhD course, so it's understandable that he is not yet fully aware of what the course will prepare him for.

Via the British Library website, you can search all UK theses:

http://www.theses.com/

I don't think it's officially required, but having a post-doc will be a massive advantage.

You could also teach in Natural Products Research (also called Phytochemistry): that's what my PhD is in. It's a branch of pharmacy that looks at the isolation and identification of plant compounds, and their medicinal use. It's part of most pharmacy courses.

The mother must have known SOMETHING wasn't right. She must have been in denial.

I can't imagine what it must be like to give birth in those conditions.

Oops; menat to say "does NOT allow".

Loads of people get PhDs with no publications. In some cases, the sponsor does allow results/theses to be made public until 2 years have passed following completion; especially if the results have some commercial value.

I have always thought that prison should be for rehabilitation rather than punishment, but reading this story, I find myself thinking that I could cheerfully see this man locked for ever in a windowless room, with nothing but flour and water and perhaps a daily kicking.

I hope the children and their mother can eventually lead something like a happy life, but I'm not sure if that's possible.

I think "Sir" Alan made the wrong decision again...what had Lindi done so wrong? And I thought her pigtails were ace

No-one really stands out to me. I quite like Lucinda just for her uselessness

My two penneth: I've seen a lot of job adverts that state the candidate needs (say) three years' experience of cell culture, or enzyme assays. You may be able to get a job in a different field, but it may not be at a very high level.

I had this experience when I started a new job once; the people there had all been there from the beginning and had formed a close group. I don't think they meant to be rude; they just were not used to change (and not adult enough to deal with change, sadly). But I tried not to take it too seriously, and eventually they accepted me, and one of them is still my friend today (years later). Keep being pleasant (even though they don't really deserve it), focus your social life elsewhere, and I think everything will be OK before too long.

Procrastinator: I know, but I never claimed my fear was logical!

I'm also scared of the Muppets

I think I find the smaller ones easier cos they don't fly so high, and you can see and talk to the pilot so you know everything's OK. I don't like the noise or the rattling or the pressure changes of the big ones; I always get dizzy. Eurgh.

I hate flying too. I'm OK on small light aircraft but I can't stand the great big juggernauts that most companies use.

Ignore all these people who aren't taking your fear seriously: phobias are no joke. Can you get the Eurostar to where you need to go? The European rail network is pretty good these days.