I'm a bit nervous. I now have two offers on the table for PhDs in two countries. Both with industry funding. For the last one, in Germany with 75% civil service salary I'll get an answer next week. And now I'm getting cold feet.

The two I find most interesting, the one in Germany and another one involve some knowledge on programming and will involve using simulator software whose background consists of more differential equations that I've ever seen anywhere. Basically, I understand nothing of this and I'm not quite sure I ever will. Are these thoughts normal before you start out?

Another question: If you're good at managing complex projects, have a lot of discipline and have no obligation to obtain any credits or take part in any other uni courses, how realistic do you think is it to completely finish a PhD in 3 years? As a fresh graduate I'd never considered this possible, but with a few years of work experience and working on complex, long projects I do wonder whether it would be possible. What if you earn a bit of extra cash through tutorials and the likes? After all, this time comes off your research time.

The PhD project I've been looking at has an industry-funded stipend attached to it. The project falls under a big research group that is fully funded by some multinationals. There are quite a few PhD projects running under that group, all of them multidisciplinary, all very exciting. I wonder whether under these circumstances it is possible to negotiate about the stipend, or whether the research council minimum stipend is what I need to accept?

Thanks a lot.

Btw, does anyone know whether it is possible to get additional funding when you get a stipend already, something like 'women in science' or similar small amounts? And working, what can one do? Assisting during tutorials is possible according to the supervisor and they always look for people to help out during field trips. Up to 6 hours per week. But I suppose those opportunities are not available every week? How is this generally paid? What other options might there be at a uni?

Wow, that sounds great Yve! I wish such opportunity would pop up anywhere for me. I can imagine how you felt about getting accepted. When I applied for a graduate programme after uni I could not believe I was selected, and surely they got the wrong person out of the 800 or so applying O.O

Oh gosh, your experiences sound really bad Trilla and Chickpea. Fortunately I never had those problems. Well, there were poor managers, but they were poor because they could not manage or hold the team together. In most cases, in my experience though management usually meant sitting in strategy meetings, reporting upwards and downwards while the teams kind of managed themselves and ran the technical projects.

Right, received some intelligence from my potential supervisor: expects excellence but is very supportive, sociable and generally lovely. On the other hand, the second supervisor is said to be a micromanager, but a generally great person to drink a specialty ale with and a person who gets you to every conference you want to go to. Well, both was already my impression when talking to them. No surprise.

I can absolutely deal with micromanagers and I hope with people who expect the highest standards. Now I just need to find some self confidence for the second.

How is your experience with your supervisors?

Btw, feels good to read all your so extremely positive reactions :) Thanks a lot.

Yve, there are fully salaried PhDs around in the UK? I know it's pretty common in many other countries (but do get one of those opportunities!) but I never heard about it in the UK. I certainly need to get my head around only having about 14-18k (not quite sure yet) per year. It would be sufficient, even without sharing a flat and with keeping my car but it will be tight. On the other hand, this specific PhD would allow me to do my work without having to get a certain number of credit or participate in research council specific training each year, meaning there's more time for research and earning a bit of money on the side.

Thanks a lot all. Being subordinate to a supervisor at a higher age is not so much an issue I think. I've always considered myself a techie, and in the companies I've worked so far there was always a dividing line between technical and managerial positions, resulting in me having younger managers. I never got to a position where I was considered The Specialist in a field anyway as generally a PhD is required. I don't have a problem though to talk tech with managers, top management and those specialists. I guess that's an advantage over younger people.

Another advantage might be that I'm fairly well organized and am good at project management. Makes me wonder whether it would be possible to finish a PhD project in time or even a bit earlier. But then again some technical equipment is bound to break down or there's a long queue for using some specific lab equipment, or too many interesting ideas to follow up on.

I looked into doing a PhD before but I found it difficult to give up my work. As my employer has downsized recently I'm looking at this again - and a wonderful project presented itself at a top uni, supervisor with a big name, industry funding.

Now I need to decide. As an oil and gas geologist I'm certainly not in a unique, rather unemployed situation at the moment. I don't think any work will be available for at least another 12-18 months. But that should not be a reason to pursue a PhD of course. The reason I'd love to do it is because I love the topic and it allows me to gain experience, both technically and with regards to research that I'd not get otherwise. On the other hand I'm already 40 and I simply cannot decide whether this is a great opportunity, or a very stupid decision. Talking to former colleagues, the opinions are also greatly divided but mostly I get a 'wow' vibe. Nobody can guarantee any improved job opportunities afterwards though.

Help?
What is your opinion?