How about replying "Well, if it's so cushy, why don't you do a PhD?"

Adem, I see your point, but I think the problem here is that people don't bother to ask about it. If they want to know what someone does, and the reply is "a PhD", why not ask about it? Behaving like an ignoramus is no excuse.

Actually Sue, I agree with you. It's a bit like people with money and class. Those who are genuinely from the upper class are very nice. It's the nouveau riche who are the snobby ****s.

Hey Gizmo - I've lived in Sheffield for the past 4 years and have to say I'd go for the Owls every time. As for Leeds - after what they did to us in the play offs last season, it's hilarious what's happening now.

Oh, and as for this being a PhD forum - you can do a PhD in history and culture of football. How do you know that I'm not...

I'm very surprised that academia pays more than industry...

Am I right in saying that if you stay in academia, for a post doc it's about 18k?

Not happy about Cardiff's dip as I'd like them to go up. As long as Derby don't go up with us I'll be happy

If people say that all the time, I usually say - well if it's not a proper job, you can't live on the benefits of research. So stop using drugs, cars, computers, any electical machines, heating systems, clothes made of synthetic fibres or with synthetic dyes, and also stop talking if you're over 50, as without medical research you'd probably be dead.

If you go into industry, I've heard of someone on 30k, although that's only one person. However, someone with an engineering phd is probably qualified to go into finance, which i'm sure pays more...

Good question. I heard from a lecturer in Pharmacokinetics that a newly qualified PhD can go into industry and start on £40-50k. Having said that, I think he may have been stretching it a little. I'd suggest £20-25k but may be wrong. Also, which area are you talking about - I presume that it varies widely depending on the industry.

Aha - where are you from Bobby btw? Preston North End (or PNE for short) are my local football team - I go and watch pretty much every match. Sad I know, but hey...

When/if you ever get any free time, what are your real passions in life - something you can do to get away from the work for a bit, or that is very important to you?

I'll start with mine - Preston North End. Sadly, one of the main reasons why I want to stay up north for my PhD... What about everyone else?

Prof Tosser. Has a ring to it...

But also - why make you feel stupid AFTER you've got your PhD? Is it to try to put you down?

Yes I totally agree. Although it's not always the case - on my undergrad degree, the lecturers (admittedly PhDs and not profs) were absolutely superb, and the kind of people you'd go for a pint with.