My opinion is, it would be best to say - as you have stated, you have a good solution to why it wouldn't interfere with your role as a PhD etc etc

By avoiding the subject during the interview when you are obviously pregnant, they are left to make the decision based on whether they think you'll stick to it - at the end of the day its very important to them that candidates finish the course.

At least if you discuss it, you'll have a chance to convince them - you've dealt with it before and could again. Plenty of people have children throughout their PhD's - you can even suspend your registration if you need extended time off - this means that you won't get paid during that time, but the time off doesn't count to the total time taken to do the PhD - depends if you can live without the money?


Good Luck

S

each to their own I suppose, I don't hate her as a person - just something about the way she talks annoys me - can't listen to it

I get that for Sara Cox- just can't listen to her

Just Radio 1 all day everyday - but I do like the David Jordan one -

Biffy Clyros pretty damn good

Cryogenics!

Sounds like you've got it pretty rough! and on top of it all you're sober! bummer

Oh! and just to clarify - I didn't mean make up results! no no no no!

I meant lie to people about what you do for a living, god forbid you have to explain what your PhD involves

S

Me!

She is escellent for handing whole chapters to and getting them back within days - I know folk who wait months!

Reccomended me for my post doc job, has already done all the filing for my viva despite not having finished yet - to help me get done in thime for the new Job!

Couldn't ask for a more supportive supervisors which really helps at this stage

Sounds like you've done pretty well so far!

keep at it and you'll finish no probs

I was told by a professor early on in my career that scientific research is 99% monotany with 1% good times - but when it goes right its usually about the best feeling ever (probably because you've worked so hard for it)- milk those times for every last enjoyable moment

As for the good bits:
- You are more or less your own boss
- you make your own hours
- you don't have to beg for time off to go to the dentist and make up hours later
- Take as many breaks as you like
- Take holidays when you like
- You can come in late when hungover, and everyone understands
- talking is part of the job
- you get to do what you want - people will praise your inventiveness
- You make up whatever you want about your job and people still wouldn't be any the wiser

Its a good life, but PhDs are hard and you'll be fraught with feelings of inadequacy and be overwhelmed constantly.

But! its worth it

It depends on what they said exactly, and you should get them to clarify for you directly

But! what usually happens is that:

You get offered the PhD, but are actually registered for an mPhil for the first year, at which point you complete what is called a transfer report (transferring from mphil to PhD), then just finish off the PhD

Its all the same thing really - just a different way of putting it - its still 3-4 years.

I think the reason for it is so you can write up at the end of year 1 and leave with at least an mPhil if you find you don't want to continue.

I know that in some fields you could use your masters to get past this - but I suspect only if it was in exactly the same field and exactly the same topic - even then they may not let you do it that way

However you should get them to clarify this before accepting any post - you don't want to end up in the wrong job!

Good Luck

S

Personally been treated pretty well - got a fully paid week long trip to the states for an interview and a good look round the area - pretty nice

Some of the PhD interviews from a few years back were a bit shabby- rude supervisors etc - but certainly not as bad as yours.

my mistake, didn't read it right

As well as the British Library resource, if you are in a Uni - they should also keep copies of previously completed thesis' in their Library

S

I tried, but failed miserably - finished last September and been writing from 6am everyday (had 5 days off since christmas)

Just finished my final results chapters (rough draft) - I had a lot of outstanding Data analysis to do

Have to be submitted March 30th for Viva on April 30th - so I can start job in the states May 12th

I'd suggest thinking of ways to fund between 4-6months of writing (this may differ based on field of PhD) - I'm in Biochemistry and it can take anything from 4-12 months to write up dependant on your commitment!

Have a job start date as a goal helps - but it can add undue pressure

My experience is most folk set unrealistic goals for how long it will take them - but I'm sure depending on how organised all your data is you could do it faster - I have heard of a 2 month write up - very few people do this!

Good Luck

S

Thats just a bit of pressure!

Nature website has listing for PhD and PostDoc Jobs

In addition to all that - if you do it full time (in the uk)

you need to be Vivad within 4 years for it to count in the Universities RAE ratings - otherwise you don't count in their 'Official' rankings

and you only have 7 years to complete - otherwise the work is not considered novel - how this is affected if you do it part time I'm not clear as you can suspend your registration and gain more time if you are struggling

Most folk finish within 4 years although typically funding is only for 3 years and you have to find other means of support for the last year

This depends on how well organised you are! - says me at 3 and a half years

Good luck

S

All PhDs start out slow - give it a wee while and you'll have plenty to do

PhDs (unless you have been previously working in the field) take a great deal of getting used to - you have a lot of stuff to learn but once you get started - poss more than 6 months if you've only just come on to the topic - then you'll feel quite at home

I suggest taking the time to get aquainted with those around you - as you are going to need them for support over the next few years

Good luck

S