It is a relief to see that others here feel like I have - Angie, I see exactly where you're coming from. For me, academic pursuits were something I could excel at when at school, which wasn't a happy time for me. To have that "refuge" threatened isn't nice at all.

I also think that it's likely that, as well as PhD students being more likely to suffer from depression than average due to working conditions, pressure, uncertain future etc, people who have a tendency towards depression are more likely to be PhD students than those who do not. Cause and effect and all that jazz.

Cryogenics, with regards strange papers, my favourite is The spermicidal potency of Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola, Hum Toxicol 6(5):395-6, where different types and brands of cola have had their effects on sperm motility measured.

Badhaircut, I don't really agree with your comments about stipends, as I see the whole PhD process as the chance to get a very good qualification and training while being paid enough to live on for a few years. However, I agree with sentiments about work afterwards. This country is sadly lagging behind in knowledge-based areas, and the reason why is poor salaries, poor prospects, poor job security, and the knowledge that you get more for doing menial jobs requiring no qulifications at all.

Best things to do if you want a good career - get a PhD and then move abroad. Sadly, this drains this country even further, but it's my intention to do this eventually.

Sylvester, I think that your last sentence there is the single best piece of advice I've ever read on this forum. Helps to keep things in perspective!

The SJT (Shanghai Jiao-Tong) listing appears to be the most reliable, although it is weighted towards those universities with outstanding research in the sciences.

As for Oxford, I was only there for a term, but I think it's one of those places you either love or hate, but I would presume that the differences and peculiarities of Oxford vs other unis is far less pronounced for postgrads than it is for undergrads. If there's a project you like, and the reputation for research in that area is good, then go for it!

Hi stickinsect,

I'm looking for PhDs too, but have spoken to friends doing PhDs, and also ex-lecturers. In no particular order, I've been told to consider:

1. The reputation of your potential supervisor. You could see how often he/she publishes, and in which journals. Is he/she an editor of any journals?

2. The reputation of the department and, to a lesser extent, the uni, for research, especialy in your area.

3. The precise subject of the thesis and, possibly more importantly, the techniques in which you will become trained.

4. The town/city in which the university is situated. If you really don't like the place you study, you may well not be happy there.

5. Does the department have any links with other universities or industry?

I think those five are probably the main ones, although I'm sure other people will come up with more

Well, it's now mid-April and I've not got a studentship sorted for next year - I'm beginning to feel like I might not get one now. I've got two applications pending, although I have a strong preference for one of those over the other. I have three friends doing PhDs, one of whom got hers in July, and the other two in September, but there seems to be less advertsied now that there were a few months ago... :(

Southern blotting was developed by a guy called Edward Southern. Then, when other blots were invented, some scientists thought it would be @funny2 to name them after other directions. Hilarious.

Alas the MAsh House by Devonshire Green is no more. Also, I'm perturbed that there is a related book entitled "Meat and Two Veg". Ooh err.

I agree tihe GolfPro says...

BUT
there have been English nationals who have studied chemistry and the like here and then tried to make weapons in their bedrooms. And what about all the thousands of foreign students who study here and use their knowledge for good?

That people might come here and use their knowledge for bad is just a sad fact that we have to live with - the alternative is far worse.

Hey Highland Lassie,
Which uni are you at currently? And do you have any preferences, geographical or otherwise?

Hey Roopa, that's my area too (kind of). What's the project title?

I'm 24, will be 25 in November. I've been temping - would have loved some science work, but virtually all jobs seem to be 2 year or longer contract,s and I want to start the PhD sooner than that! I'm mainly thinking this as all my friends seem to be getting their lives sorted (whether with PhDs, medicine, or other jobs), and I don't. As long as it gets sorted I don't mind too much though...

No I don't Bobby. I had two last year, and haven't had one yet. Having said that, I've only applied for one so far, although am probably going to apply for another in the coming week.