Hi Guys, I'm applying for a science PHD, How many hours do you think you spend a week working/reading (roughly) Do u just work mon-fri or have certain afternoons off? My girlfriend works 9-6 at a hospital will I ever see her!

My hours are pretty much 9-6 although I sometimes come in a bit earlier and leave later- flexibility is the key. I leave my weekends free to play sport although this does get forfeited when really busy with my PhD. It is what you make of it and I am only first year!

For the first 2 years of my PhD i worked monday to saturaday 9-5. For the final year when I am analysing and writing up I work Monday -saturaday 8-8. I have found it is good to have at least one day a week free to relax.

You're all kidding - right?

I hope that was only Your joke, freddy? or maybe your phd is writiing in Japan?

So do most labs work mon-fri? dont suppose there is any Holiday time? (sorry been working)

Most labs work monday to friday, but most supervisors like you to put in some time over the weekend. It depends on your workload and how quickly you want to finish your PhD. One nice thing about working in a lab is that your hours are flexible...one day might be 9-3 another it might be 9-8.

As for holidays PhD students are usually allowed between 4 and 8 weeks off, but what your allowed by the university and what your supervisor will want you to have off may be a different matter.

We have very flexible hours. Most PhD students in our lab come in at about 11am! I start at about 5-6am and finish at about 3-4pm, allowing myself some time each evening to spend with my girlfriend and teaching at my running class (plus other sporting activities).

Depends- science students work long houres when things don't work or when they start to work (so basically always). I come in at 10 and my lab head doesn't like that at all. I leave at 7 or 8 - my contract states that I have to work for 7,5 h 5 days a week. If I have to take care of my cell cultures I'll come in at the week ends but try not to be in for too long.

Whoa! Glad I'm not doing a lab-based PhD. It makes me exhausted just reading this page!

Hey - it's not soo bad. I have many friends in my lab and we'll have a cup of tea and chat while we're waiting for an experiment.