reading the other posts on a 1+3 PhD these are great but tend to be very prestigious and just as competative as any other PhD

If you are randomly writing to universities looking for posts it is harder, but if you are applying directly to job adverts it shouldn't matter, it may give them an edge - but if you get an interview remember all you have to do from that point is to sell yourself - they already chose you on your c.v.

I even know of cases where an internal candidate had already been chosen for the post, but by law they must advertise and interview - and in the end an external candidate got the job because they were so impressive.

A msters isn't everything!

Depends on your level of Degree - if you have a first don't do a masters its unneccessary. even with a 2i its possible but more competative- a 2ii you'll need the masters

Technically you can drop out after your 1st year PhD write with a masters (in the UK, if you find it doesn't suit you

Supervisors are people too and no-body will ask why you took a year out -everyone understands why you might want some time off after a greuling degree - it won't alter their decision -

Just make sure you enjoy the time you are off and don't waste it on a random job - that would be no easier than a PhD - get a visa and see the world, you'll probably never get another chance until you retire to take this amount of time out

Enjoy

The key is distraction- I find it particularly bad at night - waking up in the early hours with my brain trying to process something

My way out is to put the simpsons on

anything to stop my brain thinkin

It depends what stage you are at - I'm in the last few weeks of writing up and it feels like you can't get away from it - constantly thinking about it - key point is to know that it'll end at some point

try taking a break

P.s. your partner and friends will never understand - only others who have done it will - the sad facts i'm afraid

About the funding I don't have any real experience - but I do know that alot of the non-european Students at the university I did my PhD came in with external funding - that is they came with their own funding, quite a few from Pakistan, some from Egypt and Lybia and many mediacal doctors.
I don't know where these sources are but I suspect if you ask around hospitals and universities, you will find quite a few funding bodies and this may be the route for you to go to guarantee your place.

Saying that though - no UK university should have a policy against hiring you under with their funding - that would be discriminatory but realistically in most institutions a lot of them (not all) go to candidates who have done degrees at that institution - thats just the way it goes I'm afraid - I think because those candidates come with strong reccomendations from internal sources and may even have worked along with those PI's

Hope this helps a little

Good luck

The easiest way is to ask about grants - publications are more important though to you

But I agree with you, working with someone early in their career is great - its what I did for PhD and What I chose (over a more experienced PI) for post doc.

The big reason is that it means you are more in control - plus you will usually get way more support from those types of supervisors

If you like the area, the supervisor, the field - the choice seems obvious

If you are really unsure you could go back up for a visit - tour the lab again - talk in more detail about the project get to know the supervisor and make sure. Only do this if you are really unsure - you could always phone the supervisor if you have specific questions about the project you feel are unanswered.

A helpful supervisor will always answer questions for you

trust your judgment - think about everything from the project to the new supervisor (very important that you can get on with them) to the change of location (what is there to do in your free time) St Andrew is very beatiful - but it depends what kind of life you are after- remember in Scotland you really need to drive to get anywhere - public transport is way more limited - although not terrible - just not of the same standard you'll find in a big city.

personally would never base my decision on being in a top university - more on the strengths of the research - look at their track record for grants and publications - and also is their a well thought out PhD

I suppose the question you are asking is will it be easier to get on in life jobswise with a Phd from Oxbridge or Imperial - it rarely is the case.

Hard work and good science will always prevail!

Good Luck

absolutely - don't get me wrong - show you have done work, but there are ways - like through intelligent conversation - discuss what you want to

Put it this way - if you were in their shoes and an interviewee came in with all their papers with yellow marker all through it - what would it say to you - compared to the guy who walks in and is interested and knows the work and has some discussion points

does that make sense

you can only do what is best for you, and you will know whats best when the day comes - but try relax and try treat it more like two proffesionals having a conversation than you trying to show how much of their work you have read

all supervisors are different and some expect more than others - but at the end of the day the principals are the same

Its easy to get confused - and I know you are already nervous - but an informal chat is still an interview- they will always be assesing what you are doing- key point is to relax
I had 2! informal meetings before my actual interview!
The nice thing is that they are much more relaxed, one on one, and you should try to act yourself - keep in mind its an interview
The only thing you really need to know is why YOU want to do it- what you hope to gain - and try be realistic not say what you think they want to hear - you should know why you wanna do this (even if its not 100% true)

you will find that the supervisor should do the most talking- most scientists do

it'll help if you have an understanding of the field- don't go nuts on the specifics but make sure you have know the field in general it makes it easier to listen to - most supervisors don't want you to quote their papers ad nauseum

enjoy it and be glad you are getting the chance to met them first

Good luck

S

same as any job, it depends on what the issue is?

these can always be tricky points if its a matter of policy, sometimes by not objecting to changes in the new rules, you automatically agree to be part of it.

If you have specific problems with changes, you need to raise the issue based on the fact that you signed a contract under certain conditions.

Again it depends what you are objecting to - if its a pay thing then you can argue, but if its a university policy, you'd be wasting your time.

Although from my experience when the university changed the policy on pay for our demonstrating against our original contracts, we argued the point but it made little difference because you need to get everyone to argue there is a problem, and that is pretty hard to do.

it really depends

I would suggest really thinking long and hard about whether you can work round the problem before running in shouting and screaming about policy changes though

yes some supervisors often have a way of forgetting they are not talking to their children and everyone has their run-ins

Knowing your place in the pecking order helps

saying that there is a limit!

Just remember If they are bad to you - it just means they have to beg extra hard when they inevitably want your help

I agree, a jokes a joke - but sometimes you can go too far- Pornography can get people fired

thats not to say you can't have fun - just make sure you don't go past a joke

On the other hand some dry ice bombs or rockets are always a good laugh

In answer to the trust thing - there are a lot of times in your PhD you will have to swallow your pride and realise that your time will come

holding grudges doesn't get you anywhere and will only slow you down

it is a steep learning curve, but always stand back and consider whether it is worth kicking up a stink - ultimately if you start fights with one supervisor - it will get back to all others and you will struggle to get co-operation, which is very important in this buisness

Just look at the bigger picture and realise 3 years and you'll be done!

Try enjoy your time as a PhD - there will be a lot of setbacks - but enjoy the good times when they come

I have to admit I was quite niave, but by the time it was published there was not a lot I could do.

However I have to say my supervisor is actually a good one, just a tad unthoughtful in that regard - I was dissapointed but I should have made sure we agreed if they were published they were mine - her line of thought was that as she had asked for it to be done, it was her work - I still dissagree

I almost got caught out recently as well, when someone wanted a figure for their paper, I agreed as I would be a second author BUT then realised it compromised my work - It would have been publishing the conclusion to all my work without being first author - and thats important.

They are not all bad - you just have to make it clear whose work it is! never let someone - especially your supervisor take a first authorship off you - it can be hard to stand up to them but you must!
S

Really depends on what type of work you are doing - the main thing is that it can be long (antisocial hours sometimes)

The easier it is for you to get to work the better - but in most labs working hours are flexible - its not really a 9-5 job so you could either start early or finish late or both

As smilodon says if you are working on cultures (cell or bacterial) they require weekend and evening visits and being able to get in at any time saves you ruining experiments just so you can work it round monday to Friday.
St andrew will always be held in higher regard - but there is some good research going on in Dundee too

Tell your supervisors - supportive or not they should be pooping themselves at the thought of loosing a student after 2 years with no conclusion- it goes against them in the end if you don't submit.

There are other places to go to - if you are in a university - try speaking to the PhD co-ordinator - they are usually very understanding and have probably helped hundreds with the same problem

PhDs are hard work - there are more troughs than peaks - but it is worth it

Take a deep breath - and maybe a few weeks off on holiday - you are entitled to them! and come back refreshed - it may seem like a whole different world when you are not so stressed

No.1 take care of your health - nothing is more important - not even this!