I expect most of them are students. There must be some papers published on this somewhere!

check out barclays

I guess it would be a taught MSc, so your research project would only be for 4 months? You may as well do it to get the full MSc I think. It's not that big an undertaking.

i can't help with what a basic physics question might be, but you need to be prepared for normal interview questions: previous experience, why you want a PhD, why they should give you a PhD, strength and weaknesses etc

Conversely, a PhD student I know (awaiting viva) has just landed this kind of job in the UK (1 year contract to replace a prof on sabbatical) and earns £36k a year, and works 9-5.

Really, you need to give it more time. I would say you need at least 3 months to truly decide and 6 months would be even better.

You've invested a lot in this to quit so early on, and feelings can often change. Other people may be feeling the same as you, but putting a brave face on it. You may feel differently soon, so just give it a bit more time.

You need to tell him of your situation, clearly, simply and without emotion. Hopefully he will see sense, if not, do what you need to anyway.

Don't forget, you don't have the job yet, so might be best not to rock the boat too soon.

I think Fled's post is just bluntly honest. I don't think he intended any offence.

Yeah I know what you mean... work on the weekend when there's maybe noone around if you are worried about it :P

If I were you I would start with some basic techniques just to practice - miniprep, DNA extraction, PCR etc.

I would try not to take it so personally because they probably don't realise the effect it has or you. Your other option is to address it directly and let them know how it makes you feel. I think this is very usual though - your supervisors are supposed to correct your work/give you alternative ideas.

Do you want specific advise about PhDs at UCL, or PhDs in general?

PS structure completely varies depending upon supervisors.

Ask these people: