You can always start again. Just start something that you feel motivated to do.

Hi everyone,

I have searched for this topic on this forum and found nothing, so I wanted to know your opinion on this theme: on many websites that speak about postdoc applications - in particular for US Universities (in my case Stanford, which advises to contact first a mentor and then apply for an internal fellowship) - they suggest it's better to be introduced to your mentor by somebody (like your PI).

Do you think this suggestion is good?

Yep man, same here. But I discovered it's just because we have to remove the dot (".") from the link at the end

Hi Bewildered, thank you for your advice.

I am looking for US universities right now, as indeed as you notice for the UK it is a timing matter. But once it has happened to me a very funny episode: in October/November 2017 I contacted a Prof. in Edinburgh that was sharing with me many interests, and sent him 3-4 emails but he never replied. A few months later, though, he said to my supervisor to be interested in being my external examiner when asked for it :D

Second option: work with me on a fellowship application. Any advice?

Honestly, I can understand your feeling. I was jealous myself of an incompetent PhD colleague that was only good at getting funding and opportunities for the project, and because this he was praised for the work of others. But that's part of system, you have to accept it. Learn from it, and ask your supervisor a honest opinion on what you should do / a plan to improve your outcomes.

But honestly, it you think that it's 'not enough', you are probably already doing a great work. Keep giving yourself a chance.

If you don't feel motivated, that could be a problem in the long run, as you could start a hostile behaviour to counterattack the problem. I suggest you to understand how your supervisor is, and to learn how to communicate with him as soon as possible.

Hi all.
I am trying to find a postdoc position, and the first step is to get in touch with somebody. And it happened with a few universities that no staff that I contacted multiple times (at distance of 1-2 weeks from one mail to another) have replied. Somebody tells me to continue contacting them, as they are busy, etc. But many times I just feel like molesting people that do not want to be contacted, and "I should understand myself to quit it". I have tried with different methods: short email of interest, long email, short email with cover letter + attachments. Now, I have three questions:

1) What is the temporal interval I should let pass in between two emails?
2) When should I give up - if I should?
3) Sometimes I am attracted by some universities because the potential mentor has just similar interests to mine (broad), sometimes because the university specialises in my field (narrow) but I feel just complementary to their program as nobody there has my exact interests. Is there anything better between these two options?

If you have a more difficult PhD, presumably the results if you succeed in your project will be stronger and probably your salary will get a boost. I guess your problem is not about money, nor collaborations. It's maybe lack of confidence, as you see your project progressing slower? If that's so, talk to your supervisor about your progress, and ask or propose to him suggestions to boost your research. As long as you have a salary, you have time to play a long game - plan it accordingly.

Hello everybody.

I am applying for a postdoc position in the US.
The short-postdoc opportunity comes with a call, and I don't know who is the responsible reviewing my application: so I am tempted to start with a "Dear Sir/Madame". Or should I address to someone that is working inside the lab (two co-directors) anyway, even if I don't know who is going to judge my application?

Now, two questions for you:

- what do you think is the correct length?
(Right now I have written 650 words, describing the topics covered within my thesis, my aspiration and why the postdoc would benefit me, my interests in the postdoc, and how my experience would turn useful to the hosting institution and postdoc project.)

- any advice on what's particularly important to write there?

Hi PhDers,

just out of curiosity - is there a minimum time to pass between the notification of the date of a viva, and the actual event? I have the feeling that I will have to buy my flight just a week before my viva or so.

I think of this idea only now, tell me if it makes sense: sometimes there are companies who sponsor workers for their PhD. What about searching for a private sponsor after the beginning of a PhD, like "ehy guys, you work on this field and my research might be very useful to you. Do you want to hire/sponsor me?" So to work in the same field and using the working time on something close to your research interest?

Hi all,

Long time ago I was facing some struggles and a friend of mine was having a breakdown after her PhD, so I had found myself writing down the frustration of my experience and some thoughts in a blog post.

Lately I have been able to submit my thesis, and the result is that I have been able to distance myself enough from my writing that I would like to share it with you, as it might come handy to people out there that are in the same situation I was.

Really wish for everybody who is struggling in their PhD to endure a little more.
Best

Ah, yes. I clearly remember that there is an email in which I ask him if he preferred little chunks of thesis, or the whole thesis in one way to correct. He suggester the former option

Thank you Nad!
I guess we didn't. Meaning that I did that myself, sending an email with a plan: "4 months, index, work ready, work to do, approx. deadline". The reason is that like you, I have been very disciplined in my research and I carefully planned my milestones. The thing is that it would be unfair to say that he has done nothing during his supervision: he did minor things, until a point in which he does not really care about his duties. (Nonetheless, a colleague of mine expressively asked me if I was happy with him as a supervisor, and he said that he wasn't followed much - he tries to be your friend more than you supervisor, or sort of).

The point is, how to have them notice this? As my university has never performed my music, to protect myself from possible critics about the missing of sound material, I have already sent 2 months ago a complaint to the university with some clear examples about how the university did not help me at all (fortunately, I was't paying for my PhD!!). But I think that it would be not that good to attack him before submitting, given that my potential external examiner is a friend of his. Still, I agree with you: I don't want to make this lack of competence unnoticed.

What are the options? I write this in the acknowledgements? :P
I write a secret letter?
I ask to change the name of the supervisor?
(Little information: he is on 6-months research leave, but when I asked him if I had to continue address him for my concerns or somebody else, he said "still to me")

Of course I will do nothing, as I would probably need a letter of reference from him. I would just like to know what are your opinion, so to have more ideas on what my options are