Happy New Year to you all! After taking a 4 week break for Christmas (only break I have taken all year) I started back on Monday. I feel like I don't want to be here, but never felt like this in the 2 years I worked. is the normal for PhD students and how do you get over it?

I'm trying to get round it by doing mind-numbing tasks such as optimising PCR conditions and making stock solutions for things like Southerns. I don't want to be doing this forever (as I have just over a year left and then have to write up) but I'm planning on doing this for this first week at least.

Simplest way is not to take leave (my last hols were Christmas 2003!) ;o) Everyone gets back-to-work blues, especially this time of year when it's cold and dark and the festivities have passed. Try to do the bits of work that you really enjoy and also try to have a bit of fun outside work to keep the holiday feeling, a trip to the cinema or few drinks with friends. Chin up, will soon be Easter...(as indicated by the shelves of chocolate eggs in the supermarkets!)!

yeah this has happened to me too. and it hasnt been helped by me getting ill for the first time for ages.
im just burying myself in the work especially the reading papers figuring that will get me back into it quick enough.

Scrap the working hard straight off idea. I'm now holed up in bed feeling crap which i have probably made worse by starting off too quick after the break.