Overview of TreeofLife on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of TreeofLife

Signup date: 12 Apr 2011 at 3:58pm

Last login: 26 Apr 2019 at 5:18pm

Post count: 2853

Recent Posts

Having good results but not published papers when applying for a postdoc

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Well if doesn't work out, there are other ways of making money. I will just use the skills I have: I could tutor biology, I could write a novel, I could become a teacher, I could apply for a science-type job with a funding body and so forth. There's no need to sit on benefits. It's about how you choose to market yourself and use your skills.

Best file type for thesis figures

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

I've no idea... I just make figures in powerpoint or excel and paste them in... or print screen shots...

Having good results but not published papers when applying for a postdoc

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From Dunham:

Quote From TreeofLife:
...............

I did not mean that in an offensive way. The "failed" scientist refered to the fact that someone that leaves university after 2 post docs at the age of 35 to join a company obviously aimed for a career in academia but realized that this is not going to work out. This circumstance is rather a disadvantage as companies prefer scientists who actually want to do applied science and were aiming for industry even though they could have gone for a permanent position in academia. That's of course only what I've been told so far. And isn't it always about money? A huge part of the professor's work is fundraising ;)

I know what you meant, but I wouldn't consider that person a failed scientist either.

Funding for research and funding to line an executive's pockets are two different things, IMO.

Having good results but not published papers when applying for a postdoc

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From Dunham:
[quote]Quote From TreeofLife:

Quotequote]

It seems that there is nothing waiting for you instead of short term contracts until you finally reach an age were you have to drop out academia. It is probably also too late for industry then. No company is hiring post docs >35 years expect they have a really impressive publication list that would have allowed them a career in academia in he first place. Nobody is looking for "failed" scientists that obviously want to join the company because there is no other way to go. How likely is it that you will be chosen in the end? Without any connections? I find it hard to shut these thoughts out as you have absolutely no certainty for such a long time. How do you guys deal with that? Just not thinking about it?

Yeah, I don't really consider myself to be just hanging around until I get old because I've got no other prospects. If I don't get a career in academia, it certainly won't be because I'm a failed scientist. Honestly, anyone would be damn lucky to have me working for them because I'm intelligent, I work hard, I get on well with people, I'm productive, I look for ways to improve working, I'm independent, I'm interested in learning and I could go on... Being good at science is actually a very small part of my abilities.

I did my PhD out of interest, not because I thought it would improve job prospects. I left a good career to do a PhD, so it was a conscious choice to do something I wanted to do with my life. I think I've got a good a shot as anyone to get a post doc, then a fellowship and then who knows? What's the alternative? Back to the office? Working crazy hours, working with stupid people that don't want to be there, working just to make money for someone else? No thanks.

Having good results but not published papers when applying for a postdoc

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From Dunham:
Reading in this forum leaves me somehow a bit puzzled and maybe you can clarify some things for me. If it is so hard to just get a post doc position in the UK, imagine how incredibly unlikely it is that you are chosen for a permanent position. So what is the point of a post doc in the end? Is this somehow UK specific? Are there more permanent positions compared to other countries? I wonder why so many people in this forum go for one.

Actually I think it's fairly easy to get a postdoc in the UK - the difficulty comes in progressing from that to getting fellowships and then a permanent academic post. I could get a job in industry but I think I would be bored as it's not actually the bench work I like - I enjoying writing, reviewing, teaching etc. I know it's highly unlikely that I will get an academic job, but I'm still going to try. Someone's got to get them, right? And in order to try I need a postdoc. At the moment I think I can compete with others, but maybe it will get to the point where I am no longer competitive and I will drop out of the race. Time will tell I guess.

The importance of interview for postdoc position

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Just got one interview invite so I must be doing something right! :)

Having good results but not published papers when applying for a postdoc

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

I've got one submitted, so I'm putting that on my CV. I think it's helpful obviously, but then again, two postdocs have just been advertised in my dept, and guess what, both went to internal candidates, one of whom has no publications... so yeah, pretty encouraging...

Invited for a PhD interview today - but it's scheduled for tomorrow?

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Never heard of it... so what did you do?

Phd Search

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Quote From Mark_B:
My understanding is that EU law prevents citizens of other member states being discriminated against for public funding. However, it is possible to limit that funding to the project itself and not provide a maintenance stipend.

Seems like that's what they have done for this then.

Phd Search

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

It says this:

PhD Funding Status Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)

This research project has funding attached. Funding for this project is available to citizens of a number of European countries (including the UK). In most cases this will include all EU nationals. However full funding may not be available to all applicants and you should read the full department and project details for further information.

Which seems like you can get it, but then on their website it says:

Eligibility rules for Research Council postgraduate funding.
Residence requirements:
To be eligible for a full award (Tuition fees and Stipend) a student must have:

Settled status in the UK, meaning they have no restrictions on how long then can stay and
Been 'ordinarily resident' in the UK for 3 years prior to the start of the studentship. This means they must have been normally residing in the UK (apart from temporary or occasional absences) and
Not been residing in the UK wholly or mainly for the purpose of full-time education. (This does not apply to UK or EU nationals).

To be eligible for a tuition fees only award:

Students from EU countries other than the UK are generally eligible for a fees-only award. To be eligible for a fees-only award, a student must be ordinarily resident in a member state of the EU, in the same was as UK students must be ordinarily resident in the UK.

It does seem strange, but maybe this is what all BBSRC funded projects have. Maybe email the supervisor for the project and see what he says?

Does anyone else know?

career in academia and getting pregnant - the right time

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

Well I can honestly say I would not be able to have had a baby and done my PhD, so hats off to those that can!

Ph.D. registration has been cancelled!!

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

You are unlikely to be able to transfer at this stage. You really need to communicate with admin and see what they can do.

Phd Search

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

I thought EU citizens got the same funding? The ones in my lab do. Link to the position and I can check?

The importance of interview for postdoc position

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

I think it's more about how well you come across in interviews ie how 'likeable' you are, how well you will fit in to the research group. Assuming you have the technical experience they are looking for of course, and no other candidate in mind, and they like your supervisors. Just keep trying. I reckon they would double check your CV again

Please advise about applying for postdoc jobs in dental public health in USA

TreeofLife 2853 posts
9 years ago

try applying for advertised jobs?